Ontario's Regional Economic Development and Innovation Newsletter



Issue #180                                                         November 3, 2008

  Studies & Publications: Announcements | Editor's Pick | Innovation Policy |Cities and Regions | Statistics and Indicators| Policy Digest | Events
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This newsletter is published by ONRIS at the Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto, and sponsored by the Ministry of Research and Innovation. The views and ideas expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Ontario Government.

ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                          [Table of Contents]

Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation Launches a New Website

The Ministry of Research of Innovation is proud to announce the launch of its new Ministry website. Whether you're a business, researcher or have an interest in Ontario's Innovation Agenda and successes, the site is even more effective. Quick navigation links now include Programs and Funding tailored to Researchers and Companies, and "Popular Searches" for programs that have received the most views over the past 30 days. Also Podcasts from Minister John Wilkinson and prominent innovators and researchers, innovation-related RSS or syndicated news feeds have been added along with Success Stories showcasing some of the best innovators and researchers in the province.

Ontario Turning Ideas into a Stronger Economy

The McGuinty government is helping Ontario attract and retain the top researchers who will strengthen the province’s competitiveness in the global innovation-driven economy. Ontario is investing almost $7.6 million in research that is helping invent the future of health care, wireless communication and environmental technologies – while pushing the boundaries of science in fields such as space robotics, quantum physics and nanotechnology.

Alberta Woos Neuroscientist with $20 Million Prize

A U.S.-based neuroscientist renowned for plumbing the depths of memory function has won a $20-million research prize – the richest award of its kind in Canada – to move to Alberta to further his work. Bruce McNaughton, a Canadian who was lured to the United States 26 years ago by bigger pots of research funding than Canada could ever offer, will now be based at the University of Lethbridge, which is home to one of this country's premier brain institutes. Dr. McNaughton's work, most recently at the University of Arizona, has huge implications for understanding how the brain works. He has spearheaded the development of technologies that open a window into the brain for scientists to watch how cells interact to encode, store, recall and consolidate memories.

 

EDITOR'S PICK                                                             [Table of Contents]

Momentum: A 2008 Report on University Research and Knowledge Mobilization

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
This report focuses on the importance of partnerships in university research and looks at the variety of forms collaboration takes – from university partnerships with private companies to research projects with governments, communities, the not-for-profit sector and international partners. It provides a comprehensive account of Canadian R&D, particularly the activities of the university sector and the resulting progress achieved. It also presents detailed research and analysis of national and international trends that will drive changes in university research and the Canadian R&D landscape in the future.

INNOVATION & RELATED POLICY                                  [Table of Contents]

OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook

OECD
This report reviews key trends in science, technology and innovation in OECD countries and a number of major non-member economies including Brazil, Chile, China, Israel, Russia and South Africa. Using the latest available data and indicators, the report examines topics high on the agenda of science and innovation policy makers, including science and innovation performance; trends in national science, technology and innovation policies; and practices to assess the socio-economic impacts of public research. This volume also provides an individual profile of the science and innovation performance of each country in relation to its national context and current policy challenges.

University Strategies for Knowledge Transfer and Commercialization

VINNOVA
As part of VINNOVA’s Key Actors Programme, the majority of Swedish universities and university colleges (henceforth referred to as universities) were offered support to perform a self-assessment of their knowledge transfer and commercialisation activities. This assessment included a peer review of each university’s knowledge transfer and commercialization strategies as well as of the systems supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. This report may serve as a baseline for monitoring and evaluating further
development of Swedish university strategies concerning collaboration, knowledge transfer and commercialisation. It especially analyzes the current challenges the universities face and need to overcome as well as the areas they need support to become successful.

 

CITIES, CLUSTERS & REGIONS                                          [Table of Contents]

OECD Reviews of Regional Innovation: North of England, UK

OECD
With 14.5 million inhabitants and an economy worth over EUR 290 billion, the North of England is larger than many European countries. At the heart of the industrial revolution, the region has been a historic centre for world-changing innovation in transport, computing and in vitro fertilisation. Yet, in the wake of massive losses in manufacturing employment over the past few decades, the region has to adapt in order to catch up to more prosperous regions in the UK and remain competitive globally. Like many regions around the OECD, the North of England is seeking to support economic development through innovation, with strategies that build on the region's heritage while also looking to develop new strengths. This report reviews how both national policy and regional strategies support innovation in the North and how these efforts could be improved. It will be of interest to policy makers, firms and others active in promoting innovation and regional economic development.

Knowledge, Creativity and Regional Development

Charlie Karlsson and Borje Johansson, Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies (CESIS)
In this document, the authors claim that knowledge infrastructure, human capital, talent, creativity, knowledge generation, knowledge protection, knowledge accumulation, knowledge appropriation, knowledge flows, etc. as well as the creative use of knowledge are basic drivers of the specialisation of regions and hence of regional development. The purpose is to discuss the role of knowledge and talent in regional development seen in both a regional and a global context.

STATISTICS & INDICATORS                                   [Table of Contents]

World University Rankings

Times Higher Education - QS
This year’s World University Rankings are based on a record number of responses from academics and employers, as well as on thoroughly-researched data on citations, staffing levels and the proportions of international faculty and students. More than 6,000 academics ventured an opinion on the leading universities in their own discipline. The results were weighted to ensure a fair representation both geographically and by subject grouping.

POLICY DIGEST                                                                  [Table of Contents]

Timely, Targeted, Temporary and Transformative: Crafting an Innovation-Based Economic Stimulus Package

The Informationa Technology and Innovation Foundation, ITIF
As talk of a possible recession grows, so too does consideration of a second economic fiscal stimulus package.  Rather than craft a conventional spending-oriented stimulus package focused solely on tax cuts for individuals and spending increases, Congress should craft a stimulus package of which at least a portion not only gives a quick shot in the arm to the economy but at the same time also boosts investment that spurs productivity growth and innovation, especially in information technology, which has been the engine of U.S. economic growth for the past decade. In an economy which faces key challenges going forward in areas such as the need to increase international competitiveness, raise productivity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, any stimulus package should also at least in part help address these challenges. ITIF lays out eight specific proposals that would not only spur spending and economic activity in the short run, but would also help address these challenges going forward.

  • Allow IT Investments to be Completely Expensed in 2009: IT investments produce outsized productivity gains, spurring higher company productivity and higher real wages.3 Companies in the United States invest around $400 billion per year in IT equipment and software, but these investments must be depreciated over a number of years. Allowing companies to write off all the costs for tax purposes in 2009 would raise the rate of return of new equipment and software, spurring companies
    to invest more and more rapidly turn over older, less productive equipment and software. As a result, companies would not only boost their productivity and international competitiveness, they would be installing equipment that would be both safer for workers using it and more energy efficient;
  • Provide a Tax Credit for Investments in Health IT Made in 2009: Information technology promises to revolutionize health care by improving the quality and containing the costs of care. For the American health care system to benefit from advances in IT, it must adopt electronic health records (EHRs), electronic prescribing, telemedicine and other technology applications;
  • Provide $2 Billion to Colleges and Universities That Invest in Needed Research Infrastructure in 2009: As part of the stimulus package Congress should appropriate $2 billion to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for grants to cover 90 percent of the costs of purchases made by universities in 2009 of research equipment;
  • Provide a Tax Credit of 50 Percent for Investments in Energy Efficient Equipment in 2009: Current law provides modest tax incentives to businesses and homeowners to install energy saving equipment. However more generous, one-time incentives could spur significant investments in 2009, saving energy and creating jobs;
  • Provide $1.6 billion for Computers and Broadband For Low-Income Families with Children at Home: This program could be administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which currently is charged with administrating the subsidy program to help low income individuals and families afford the price of telephone installation and monthly charges;
  • Provide an $8 Billion One-Time Infusion into the Highway Trust Fund to Spur Ready-to-Go Surface Transportation Infrastructure Investments: The nation’s surface transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges and transit) is in disrepair and has not kept up with increased demand by consumers and businesses. Increased funding for transportation infrastructure
    would boost economic growth by raising productivity among businesses and mobility among consumers. While some infrastructure projects would take a relatively long time to build, according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, there are approximately $17 billion in projects that could be initiated within 6 months of funding;
  • Allow U.S. Companies to Bring Back Foreign Earnings in 2009 at a Lower Corporate Tax Rate: Bringing back this capital, regardless of how it is invested, creates a short term economic stimulus as the funds are infused into the economy. In fact, evidence suggests that encouraging domestic investment regardless of how the funds are used is associated with domestic job creation while investment in foreign affiliates reduces domestic employment, at least in manufacturing. But a not insignificant portion of any repatriated funds are also likely to be invested in innovationbased activities that also spur longer term growth;
  • Provide Forgivable Loans to Make Up State Budget Shortfalls, Provided That States Shore Up “Rainy Day" Funds in Later Years: States need help in being fiscally responsible. To do this, any stimulus package should provide general aid to state governments, but in the form of forgivable loans. In order to not have to pay back the loan, a state would have to increase its rainy day fund to at least 5 percent of its budget within five years of the recession officially ending. States that fail to do this or that drew down their rainy day funds after this without Treasury approval would be required to pay back the loan to the federal government.

Any stimulus package should be timely, targeted and temporary, but there is no reason why at least a portion of it cannot also be transformative.

 

EVENTS                                                                               [Table of Contents]

Powering Innovation: A National Summit

Toronto, 3-4 November, 2008
An amazing roster of distinguished national and international keynotes and speakers are coming together for this exciting national conference. This is a rare opportunity to meet and network with researchers, CIOs, top educators, tech industry partners and government representatives from across Canada and beyond. Interact with exhibitors showcasing innovative technologies, from holographic 3D imaging, to IP-based television platforms, to the latest in super advanced networking. Join us for engaging sessions on e-science, the greening of IT, the march towards applications in the “cloud”, innovative visualization technologies, virtual organizations, teaching and learning in a web 2.0 universe, commercializing innovation and more.

Towards World Class Clusters in Europe

Sophia Antipolis, France, 13-14 November, 2008
For the fourth consecutive year, the annual competitive cluster forum will take place in Sophia Antipolis, France. Centred on the European policy of clusters, which was already the object for two years of detailed works, will result in December in a decision of common European policies, also following a private conference on November 14th in which expected are 27 Ministers of the European Union concerned by innovation. These events are placed under the aegis of the French Presidency of the European Union. With the presence of international cluster representatives, these two days will be the place of fertile exchanges illustrated by already existing international cooperations.

Toronto Forum on Global Cities: Global Cities in Challenging Times

Toronto, 8-9 December, 2008
The Toronto Region Research Alliance (TRRA) is a sponsor of the Toronto Forum for Global Cities summit that focuses on making cities competitive and features business leaders from leading urban centres. Two critically important issues - "Transportation: Better Tools for Global Cities' Competitiveness" and "Global Cities' Energy Needs Innovation and the Knowledge Economy" - will be addressed.

The 5th International Conference on Innovation and Management (ICIM2008)

Maastricht, Netherlands, 10-11 December, 2008
Organized by UNU-MERIT (The Netherlands) and supported by Wuhan University of Technology (China) and Yamaguchi University (Japan), This conference will bring together academics, practitioners and other professionals involved in the filed of innovation and management. The conference format includes plenary and parallel sessions with both academic and practitioner presentations and workshops. In addition, the conference will provide networking opportunities together with a taste of local culture.

Canadian Innovation Exchange

Toronto, 3-4 March, 2009
Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX) is a two-day event showcasing Canada’s hottest new and innovative technology companies. A nexus of multiple meeting and networking opportunities, CIX is designed to enable the who’s who of North American investors to discover Canada’s next great companies. With facilitated and informal networking events, this innovation marketplace features Flash-forward presentations on the future of media, software, mobile and technology.

Understanding and Shaping Regions: Spatial, Social and Economic Futures

Leuven, Belgium, 6-8 April, 2008
Many topics will be discussed such as regional policy and evaluation, regions as innovative hubs, economic restructuring and regional transformation, and local and regional economic development. Abstract submission deadline: Sunday, 4th January 2009.

Triple Helix VII - The role of Triple Helix in the Global Agenda of Innovation, Competitiveness and Sustainability

Glasgow, Scotland, 17-19 June, 2008
Triple Helix VII offers a multi-disciplinary forum for experts from universities, industry and government. The Conference is designed to attract leading authorities from across the world who will share their knowledge and experience, drawing a link between research, policy, and practice in sustainable development.  The Conference will bring together policy-makers, academics, researchers, postgraduate students, and key representatives from business and industry. The theme for Triple Helix VII - “The role of Triple Helix in the Global Agenda of Innovation, Competitiveness and Sustainability” - reflects the interaction between academia, the private and the public sector.

 

>SUBSCRIPTIONS & COMMENTS                                                 [Table of Contents]

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This newsletter is prepared by Jen Nelles.
Project manager is David A. Wolfe.

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