NRC Annual Report 2001-2002

2001-2002 marked a year of significant growthand outstanding achievement for the NationalResearch Council as it moved forward rapidlywith imaginative new initiatives and programsdesigned to build Canada’s innovation capacityin the 21st century. In early 2002, NRClaunched its Vision 2006, a far-reaching strategicframework that defines NRC’s purpose,priorities and plans to serve the interests ofCanada, Canadian industry and all Canadians.We live in a world governed by change – aworld where change seems to accelerate moreeach year. The world of science and technologyis dominated by an unprecedented convergenceof fields, disciplines and sectors.Scientific fields that were once distinct anddiverse are now merging and many of the frontiersof science and technology are inherentlymulti-disciplinary in nature. Science is enteringinto the domains of the very fast and very smallwhere new laws and principles hold sway andmuch remains to be discovered. Canada’s questto be a world leader in the knowledge-basedeconomy is generating fresh thinking and newideas about the role of community-based innovationand mechanisms for transferringtechnology and knowledge from the labs to themarketplace. The NRC Vision addresses theseforces of change.The commitment of the federal government tomove Canada into the top five R&D performersin the world and to make Canada one of theworld’s most innovative nations is the foundationfor NRC’s Vision and its contributions.In Vision 2006, NRC has set a deliberate andstrategic course. Vision 2006 recognizesCanada’s need to meet the challenges of innovation.It positions NRC on the leading edge ofdiscovery and enhances its capacity to putknowledge to work for Canada. The Visionfocuses directly on NRC’s role in fostering innovationthrough national, international andcommunity-based collaborations and partnerships.Vision 2006 is about the goals, thecommitment and the rewards of seeing“Science at Work for Canada.”President’s messageA Vision for Canada and all CanadiansW o r k i n g f o r C a n a d aDr. Arthur J. CartyNRC’s contributions in 2001-2002 helped movethis Vision into reality – through leading-edgediscoveries, technology breakthroughs, buildingcommunity-based technology clusters, generatingvalue for Canada through the creation ofnew business enterprises, technology commercializationand global reach.NRC staff are the foundation of this Vision. It istheir talent and creativity that will give theVision life. This Annual Report is the story oftheir achievements on behalf of Canada.3S C I E N C E A T W O R K F O R C A N A D A