University of New BrunswickGeodesy and Geomatics Engineering

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Release date: November 6, 1998
UNB News Release: B128
Contact: Sandra Howland, UNB Public Relations, (506) 458-7968

UNB Researchers Join National GEOIDE Network

Five researchers at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton will play significant roles in Canada's newest Networks of Centres of Excellence program.

The $12-million Geomatics for Informed Decisions (GEOIDE) Network was launched in October by the Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development, Ron J. Duhamel. It brings 99 researchers from 24 universities together with business, industry and government.

"Our researchers are participating in eight of the network's 20 research projects," says John McLaughlin, UNB's vice-president of research and international co-operation. "This is a significant involvement and it reflects UNB's strength in geomatics."

David Coleman, Michael Collins, Richard Langley and Petr Vaníček of the department of geodesy and geomatics engineering, and Bradford Nickerson of the faculty of computer science will work on projects ranging from natural hazards and disaster monitoring to decision support systems.

"Great science will result from this collaborative effort," says Dr. Langley. "This network will create synergy and provide a formalized way for us to develop and share knowledge."

The GEOIDE network will address four major objectives: to exploit better the Canadian geomatics infrastructure, develop tools and technologies for decision making and information dissemination, co-ordinate long-term fundamental research, and broaden the range of applications based on geomatics technology.

"There will be clear social and economic benefits for Canadian society from the work of the GEOIDE network," says Dr. Langley. "We will be doing targeted research with well defined objectives."

In addition to developing innovative technology, the network will help train the next generation of scientists and engineers. "UNB's involvement in this network means new money for supporting graduate students and postdoctoral fellows," Dr. Langley says.

The highly successful Networks of Centres of Excellence program was launched in 1989 and made permanent by the federal government in 1997. The 14 networks currently operating under this program represent unique research partnerships among the academic, private and public sectors. By fostering the transfer of innovative research into commercial opportunities, the networks are contributing to the Canadian economy and quality of life.

Note to media: Additional information on the specific projects in which UNB researchers are involved is available online.