On January 16, the Digital Technology Supercluster announced 14 new projects with a total investment of $25 million; eight focused on talent development for the digital economy, six in technology.
The Supercluster aims to position Canada as a global leader in digital technologies by bringing together small, medium-sized and large companies, post-secondary institutions, research organizations and not-for-profits. The Supercluster co-invests in ambitious technology development projects and new solutions to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of natural resources, healthcare and industrial sectors and energize the economy. The projects announced today will help create good jobs, drive economic growth, and elevate the reputation of Canada's world-leading digital economy.
About the Capacity Building Program:
The Capacity Building Program aims to develop a diverse pool of digital talent to ensure Canada has a workforce prepared for the jobs of tomorrow with a focus on improving the inclusion and participation of under-represented groups, including Indigenous Peoples and women. Media backgrounder here.
About Technology Programs:
The Supercluster delivers three technology programs to enable wide-scale adoption of digital transformation platforms in key industrial segments and develop and commercialize new products, services and platforms. The suite of technology programs includes: Precision Health Program, Data Commons Program, and Digital Twins Program. These programs are core to the Supercluster securing Canada's global leadership in digital innovation, and securing social and economic benefits for Canadians. Media backgrounder here.
UBC is listed in the release as a partner on the following projects:
Capacity Building Projects
Athena Pathways
Athena Pathways is helping more Canadian women see the potential of the tech sector, and how a career in Artificial Intelligence aligns with their skills and interests.
(Artificial Intelligence Network of BC (AInBC), Careteam, D-Wave, KPMG, MetaOptima, Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology, Teck Resources Limited, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia)
Diversifying Talent in Quantum Computing
With British Columbia emerging as a leader in quantum computing, Diversifying Talent in Quantum Computing will work with youth and Indigenous education leaders to ensure that young people are aware of the career opportunities in this emerging field.
(University of British Columbia, D-Wave, UBC Geering Up Engineering Outreach)
Technology Projects
Intelligent Network for Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Up to 40% of patients have difficulty receiving specialized diagnostic imaging tests and face long wait times. The goal of the Intelligent Network project is to free ultrasound from its current limits and make it a bedside tool for doctors in every context — urban, rural, or remote — thereby improving access and reducing wait times for these crucial services.
(Change Healthcare, Clarius, Providence Health Care, Rural Coordination Centre of B.C., University of British Columbia)
Personal Health Wallet
Open-source blockchain technology will give individuals complete control of their health data to support the security, authenticity, and integrity of their data. Through this technology, patients will be able to share information with researchers, doctors, specialists, and whomever else they trust, in a way that lets patients select what information is shared, knowing that their privacy and the security of their data is protected.
(Molecular You, Stone Paper Inc., University of British Columbia)
Reducing Opioid Use for Pain Management
In Canada, prescribing opioids is a common and standard practice for patients after surgery. At least 6% of patients who receive a postoperative opioid prescription become persistent opioid users. A lack of systematic and coordinated communications between patient and healthcare providers makes it more difficult to reduce the rates of addiction. This project consortium is building a post-surgery monitoring system that will collect patient data and make sure doctors have the information they need to manage and ideally reduce the prescription and use of opioids.
(BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Careteam Technologies, Excelar Technologies, Joule, Health Canada, National Research Council of Canada, Providence Health Care, Thrive Health, University of British Columbia, Xerus Medical)