Technology, Research & Education
Fred-eZone / e-Novations / Fredericton Knowledge Park / National Research Council / Research & Productivity Council / Canadian Forest Service / Agriculture & Agri Food Canada / Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre / Public Schools / Univerisites / Colleges / Libraries
The City introduced Fred-eZone in 2003 making it Canada’s 1st Free Wireless City! Fred-eZone is a city-owned wi-fi network, part of its fibre optic network, e-Novations, that makes use of integrated traditional and wireless technologies to provide residents, visitors and businesses with mobile high-speed internet access in public areas. Info: 460-2999, www.fred-ezone.com
E-NOVATIONS
e-Novations is a city-owned corporation tasked with constructing Fredericton's Comunity Network -- a fibre optic and wireless data network providing Fredericton businesses, government and academic institutions with access to high-speed / high-capacity electronic communications. Connections to the fiber backbone run at 100 megabits per second facilitating immediate access for users. It is up to 100 times faster than DSL or cable modem. The network puts Fredericton among leading centres in Canada in terms of communication infrastructure -- giving us an even greater advantage in the IT world. It acts as a catalyst to create new opportunities for businesses, and it is indicative of the City of Fredericton's commitment to its IT future. For more info, see the Fred-eChronicle. Info: 460-2999
The City of Fredericton, Enterprise Fredericton and the University of New Brunswick created a partnership to advance the Fredericton Knowledge Park. Three buildings presently reside on-site with a fourth under construction. These state-of-the-art buildings offer a synergistic environment for knowledge-based companies within close proximity to the existing R&D infrastructure. The park also houses an Acceleration Centre for companies in the post-incubation and pre-commercialization stage of development. Building four will be the national Cfivceentre of Excellence in Advanced Learning and Technology (CEALT) advancing the growth of
Fredericton’s advanced learning and technology cluster. For leasing info, contact 1-800-200-1180, www.knowledgepark.ca/en/
The National Research Council Institute for Information Technology (NRC-IIT) with labs in three Canadian provinces led from Fredericton, undertakes research in three strategic directions of information and communications technology: Knowledge from Data
; People-Oriented Systems; e-Business.
NRC-IIT conducts scientific research, develops technology, creates knowledge and supports innovation. Through Information Technology R & D, they have a beneficial and profound impact on Canadian society.
In Fredericton, NRC-IIT - e-Business is situated on the campus of the University of New Brunswick (UNB). The Institute's research areas include: 3D Imaging, Modeling and Visualization; Data and Text Mining; Natural Language Processing; Information Security, Privacy and Trust; Human Computer Interaction; Intelligent Internet Applications; and Software Engineering.
Community stakeholders have played significant roles in shaping NRC-IIT-e-B's entire research agenda. NRC-IIT outfitted five specialist research labs based on the core research agendas as established with community consultations.
NRC-IIT has built a solid industry outreach capacity. An entire floor of the Fredericton lab is devoted to an Industrial Partnership Facility, a business accelerator that offers companies state-of-the-art technical facilities and the chance to interact with NRC researchers. Source NRC IIT www.iit-iti.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Research and Productivity Council (RPC)RPC is an independent contract research and technical services organization working on a fee-for-service basis for industry and government in New Brunswick and abroad. From a 13,000 sq. meter facility, chemists, geneticists, metallurgical engineers, mechanical engineers, molecular biologists, and technologists offer services certified to a variety of nationally and internationally recognized standards including ISO, CAEL, CSA, SCC, and CFIA. RPC offers expertise and facilities for the design, development and improvement of products and processes, technical services for testing and analysis, and specialized scientific research and engineering expertise for solving technical problems in industry. RPC is client- focused with a commitment to delivering good value and quality services. Source RPC, www.rpc.ca/
Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry CentreThe Atlantic Forestry Centre, part of the Government of Canada's Natural Resources Canada, is one of the five CFS research centres located across Canada. It plays a vital role in regional and national forestry research programs. Its facilities are located in both Fredericton, New Brunswick and Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Fredericton site, includes state-of-the-art research laboratories, a comprehensive insect and disease collection facility, and a sophisticated climate-controlled greenhouse/nursery complex. Researchers are investigating, among other things, new methods of pest management (biological control), forest health, gene conservation to preserve biodiversity, somatic embryogenesis and gene manipulation to improve timber production, effects of air pollution and climate change, and computer-based management planning tools for decision making. In addition, CFS manages and delivers regionally the First Nation Forestry Program and the Model Forest Program for the Atlantic region. CFS also endeavors to maintain the National Forestry Database Program. For more information, visit: www.atl.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Station
The AAFC Research Station's primary area of research is the development of new potato varieties and germplasm, biotechnology and environmental studies of agriculture's impact on water air and soil. Source Potato Research Centre
Hugh John Flemming Forestry CentreThe Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre (HJFFC) is a cooperative venture, which brings together various government agencies, educational institutions, and forestry associations that have a common interest in forestry. The Forestry Centre offers a wide range of forest research, management and teaching expertise that cannot be matched anywhere in Canada. This Centre of Excellence in Forestry consists of some twenty buildings with over one half million square feet of space. HJFFC is home to the Government of Canada's Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service; the Maritime College of Forest Technology (formerly known as the Maritime Ranger School); the University of New Brunswick's Tweeddale Centre for Forest Industrial Research; and the New Brunswick Provincial Department of Natural Resources. The Centre is located in Fredericton, New Brunswick (Canada) on a 28 hectare site adjacent to the University of New Brunswick woodlot. Source Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre
EDUCATION
The Province delivers immersion/non-immersion education programs with over 35 schools residing in the Fredericton area. District 18 453-5454, www.district18.nbed.nb.ca/
Ecole Sainte-Anne, which is located in the Centre Communautaire Sainte-Anne, provides French language schooling to students from kindergarten to grade 12. District #1 453-3991, www.esa.nbed.nb.ca
Fredericton is home to five universities:
University of New Brunswick (UNB)
Through two centuries of educational leadership, UNB has remained at the forefront of Canadian universities. UNB is Canada's oldest English university and one of the first public universities established in North America.
Known for its innovation, the university has pioneered programs that are helping to make life better for New Brunswickers and people around the world. UNB was the first university in Canada to offer a forest engineering program, to create a computer science faculty, and to introduce a degree program designed specifically to educate the leaders of tomorrow - Renaissance College.
UNB research accounts for 80 per cent of all university research conducted in the province, and its research programs are among the best in the country, helping to attract the brightest students, scholars and researchers. UNB's Office of Research Services promotes technology transfer and business development, facilitating access by public and private sector clients to the expertise that exists at UNB.
Among UNB's research endeavours:
UNB's Institute of Biomedical Engineering is world renowned for designing and developing myoelectric control systems for artificial arms. Myoelectric prostheses are artificial limbs controlled by the electric signal from muscles in the residual limb.
UNB's College of Extended Learning is the outreach arm of the university. The college offers management development training, professional programs, distance education, part-time degree studies and adult learner services. Its work is strengthened by partnerships with private business, provincial government departments and other educational institutions.
UNB is known for its ground-breaking research, the depth and variety of its academic programs and its accomplished faculty and staff. The university is making a significant difference in New Brunswick, playing a fundamental role in the economic, social and cultural well-being of the province.
Source UNB Communications and Marketing, www.unb.ca
St. Thomas University (STU)
Founded in 1910, St. Thomas is the ideal liberal arts institution, consistently ranking as one of the top undergraduate universities in Canada. Teaching is the highest institutional priority, and challenging programmes taught by professors directly engaged in learning foster each student's intellectual development.
The cornerstone four-year Bachelor of Arts programme has more than 25 academic disciplines. Students explore various disciplines during their first two years of study, allowing them to broaden their interests before selecting an honours or major. Small class sizes (no class is larger than 60 with the average class size 36) encourage students to participate in discussions with peers and professors.
According to a national survey of graduates, St. Thomas ranked second in Canada on overall student recommendation and third on the quality of the learning environment. It also consistently ranks in the top five of undergraduate universities for quality of student services such as tutors, writing service, skills developments, academic advisors, and employment programmes.
Colleges, Programs, and Degrees: Majors in Anthropology, Catholic Studies, Criminology, Economics, English Language and Literature, English (w/Drama), Environment and Society, French, Gerontology, Great Ideas, History, Human Rights, International Relations, Journalism, Mathematics, Media Studies, Native Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Political Economy, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science and Technology Studies, Sociology, Spanish, and Women's Studies and Gender Studies. Professional programmes in Education and Social Work.
Source St. Thomas University, www.stu.ca.
Maritime College of Forestry Technology
The College was established in 1946 as a cooperative effort between the wood-using industries and the provincial governments of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. MCFT offers courses in traditional forestry through Dendrology (study of trees and shrubs), Forest Fire Management and Wildlife Management. The College's expanded curriculum also addresses new forestry issues like Urban Forestry, Forest Technology (GPS/GIS) and Ethics and Environmental Issues. Each year, 50 new students are enrolled in the program.
The College's Department of Continuing Education provides life-long learning for graduates and other forestry professionals. Courses such as Watercourse Alteration Certification, Hardwood Management, Supervisory Development, and Forest Landscape Ecology allow graduates to specialize and remain current in their field. Source Maritime College of Forestry Technology
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)
The Community College system serves New Brunswick through its network of campuses. Through partnerships with the private sector and all levels of government, the Fredericton Centre tailors training to meet the needs of specific industries. By accessing the resources and expertise of the entire network, the College is able to deliver training in fields as diverse as information technology, healthcare, business and various trades.
Since a major focus of the centre is to provide customized training for the needs of industry, it is equipped with state-of-the-art resources including three computer labs delivering training programs such as Human Services, Powerline Technician, Practical Nurse, College and University Preparation, Automotive Service Technician, Early Childhood Education, Personal Support Worker-Acute Care, Health Unit Coordinator, Records & Information Management Officer, and Office Administration. In addition, the College staff are available to meet with industry to determine needs, and to design programs to meet specific requirements. Programs are flexible so that training can be delivered at the college or the workplace. Also, the College has the capacity to deliver and receive educational programs through a distance education network.
The College is also prepared to assist employers in the recruitment process by providing computerized testing, academic assessment, and other employment related services. As their mission statement declares, it exists "to serve our communities by guiding students toward a commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth through high quality training and education, leading to work/career opportunities". Source NB Community College, www.nbcc.nb.ca
New Brunswick College of Craft & Design (NBCCD)
The NBCCD awards a Diploma in Fine Craft to students who have completed the required courses in Foundation Studies, and have completed their major in one of seven studios: Clay, Creative Graphics, Fashion Design, Surface Design, Metal/Jewellery Arts, Photography and Textiles. Certificate Programs include the Certificate in Foundation Visual Arts, Certificate in Specialty Photography, and Certificate in Studio Pottery. NBCCD is the only school of its kind in Canada. Source NBCCD, www.nbcc.nb.ca
Private Sector Institutions
Fredericton has a full range of private training colleges and institutes offering various expertise from computer and business skills to hairdressing and heavy equipment operation.
Libraries
On a per capita basis, Fredericton is one of the most intensively "libraried" cities in Canada. Fredericton has three public libraries: the Fredericton Public Library, the Nashwaaksis School-Public Library, and the Bibliothèque Dr. Marguerite Michaud in the Centre Communautaire Sainte-Anne.
The University of New Brunswick community of libraries includes the main Harriet Irving Library, the Science and Engineering Libraries, the UNB Gerard V. La Forest Law Library, as well as special collections, such as those held by the Centre for Conflict Studies.
The Provincial Archives, located on the UNB campus, provide a rich source of historical documents including government records dating to 1784, private manuscript collections, maps, architectural plans/drawings, photographs, and a growing collection of oral and video histories. The website also features over a million records online at: http://www.archives.gnb.ca.
The Legislative Library provides information, reference material, research and publication services to Members of the Legislative Assembly, their staff, and the public.
In addition, over 50 special interest libraries serve the citizens of Greater Fredericton. These libraries include the Agricultural Research Station Library, the Forestry Canada Library, several privately operated and maintained Law and Engineering Libraries, the Health and Community Services Library, and the Cathedral Library.
