Editorial - 16-2

Photonics and aerospace manufacturing are both high-profile, advanced technology industries and rank high on government priority lists. So it’s no real surprise to see the key research players in these sectors banding together to prime their respective innovation engines (see pages 4 & 6).

Creating consortia and alliances that actually produce tangible, useable results is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks in S&T, and the respective players behind both initiatives should be applauded for their foresight and determination. Project focus, intellectual property sharing and effective cluster development can wreak havoc with the best laid plans. But they should never become barriers to making the effort.

The Ottawa Photonics Research Alliance is an organization that seeks to build upon the Ottawa area’s remarkable strength in photonics and related technologies. The potential for using light for everything from communications to medicine is enormous. As an emerging area of research, getting in on the ground floor is a smart move.

Aerospace is more established as an industry sector, but it’s arguably no less technologically advanced than photonics. The big players in Quebec grew impatient waiting for Ottawa to buy into their collaborative (and national) aspirations, so they decided to launch their consortium at the provincial level and build from there. And the Quebec government joined them to the tune of more than $25 million.

These building block initiatives should be closely watched and, if successful, rapidly replicated in other sectors.

Mark Henderson, Managing Editor