Polytechnique Montréal hails the creation of the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC)

MONTREAL, April 17, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Polytechnique Montréal most enthusiastically welcomes the founding of the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC), and pledges its full co-operation and expertise to this endeavour.

More than 10 years ago, Polytechnique was a founding member of the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ). Right from the start, this one-of-a-kind partnership model fostered synergy among companies in the aerospace industry, universities and research centres—a success story that would soon inspire similar initiatives in Canada and elsewhere in the world, and eventually led to the creation of CARIC.

Together, CRIAQ and CARIC will spur creation of new partnerships across Canada, expanding the potential for new projects as well as internships and employment for undergraduate as well as graduate students. Partnerships between universities and industry are valuable and profitable to both parties, as they help better prepare the specialized workforces needed for the future. There is continued high demand for highly qualified engineers in the aerospace industry: aircraft movements worldwide exceeded 3 billion in 2013, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) forecasts that they will more than double by 2030.

"Polytechnique is delighted to be partnering in this new consortium and looks forward to contributing its longstanding experience in the teaching of aerospace engineering," said Christophe Guy, Chief Executive Officer, Polytechnique Montréal, and Vice President, Board of directors, CRIAQ, adding: "Our institution has been a pioneer in many respects, as attested to by the scale of its aerospace partnerships, which extend to more than 40 industry projects. It has taken on a leadership role in this sector, which of course represents an important strategic hub for Montréal and Canada."

Polytechnique is the only university in Québec to offer an accredited bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. It also offers a master's program in aerospace engineering and a certificate in aeronautics. In addition, the school's PhD programs in Engineering provide education to many aerospace researchers and specialists.

Since 2001, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Government of Québec have supported projects at Polytechnique totalling more than $223 million in research infrastructure, including $38 million in aerospace. Polytechnique offers a unique setting for research, collaboration and education, both in the quality of its facilities and its expertise.

"I congratulate everyone who was involved in this project. Polytechnique is pleased and proud to be contributing to this new consortium by training innovative engineers who will strengthen the local aerospace industry's leadership position nationally and internationally," Mr. Guy concluded.

About Polytechnique Montréal

Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering teaching and research institutions. It is the largest engineering university in Québec for the size of its graduate student body and the scope of its research activities. With over 41,400 graduates, Polytechnique Montréal has educated nearly one-quarter of the current members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Polytechnique provides training in 15 engineering specialties, has 248 professors and more than 7,500 students. It has an annual operating budget of over $210 million, including an $82-million research budget.

The Chief Executive Officer of Polytechnique Montréal, Christophe Guy, is available for interviews.

SOURCE: Polytechnique Montréal

Annie Touchette
Communications and Public Relations
Polytechnique Montréal
Tel.: [phone], ext. 4415
Cell.: 514 231-8133
[email protected]

Nathalie Rochette
Communications and Public Relations
Polytechnique Montréal
Tél.: [phone], ext. 2339
Cell.: 514 941-5660
[email protected]