NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR SASKATCHEWAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard greeted the new Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure at their first official meeting at the University of Saskatchewan on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008.

"I am very pleased to see the diversity of perspectives, experience and expertise represented on the new board," Elhard said. "I have no doubt that this group will very ably lead the centre in its mission to become a North American leader in the application of new highway and road construction technologies."

The Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure was launched on May 9, 2008 with an initial contribution of $1 million from the Province of Saskatchewan toward applied transportation research and specialized training programs. The Centre, to be housed on the University of Saskatchewan campus within the College of Engineering, will be a transportation research and training hub unique in Western Canada.

To date, planning initiatives have included both initial training requirements focusing on the key areas of pavement and geotechnical engineering, asset management and transportation structures, course curriculum development as well as a review of approximately 25 initial research projects.

"The Centre will bring together innovators from the private sector, academia and government to develop solutions that greatly benefit our transportation and infrastructure network and in turn, the provincial economy it supports," Elhard said.

"The Centre is an excellent example of a new type of partnership between the government, academia and industry based on innovation and entrepreneurship," Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Janusz Kozinski said. "I am confident that the Centre, guided by an exceptional constellation of individuals on the board, will develop people, knowledge, products and processes - in key, strategic areas - that will attract global attention to our province."

The new Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure includes the following:

• Dr. Janusz Kozinski, Dean, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan (chairman);
• Dr. Grant Isaac, Dean, Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan;
• Mr. Murray Totland, P.Eng., Engineering Executive Director, City of Saskatoon;
• Mr. John Law, Deputy Minister, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure;
• Mr. John Lee, President, Communities of Tomorrow;
• Mr. Erwin Seimens, President Kindersley Transport;
• Dr. Dallas Little, P.E., International Technical Lead, Materials and Pavements Division, Texas Transportation Institute, The Texas A&M University System;
• Dr. Susan Tighe, P.Eng., Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, University of Waterloo; 
• Mr. Alan Migneault, CEO, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority Inc.; 
• Mr. Clare Kirkland, Director of Strategic Development, Regina Regional Economic Development Authority; and
• Mr. Engin Ozberk, Vice President, Innovation and Technology Development, Cameco Corporation.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: dwakabayashi@highways.gov.sk.ca

Patty Martin
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-6919