Signature of MOU Swiss Polar Institute and Institut Nordique du Québec Rector Christian Leumann (University of Bern), Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Rector Frédéric Herman (Université de Lausanne), Rector Sophie d’Amours (Université Laval), Minister of Higher Education Pascal Déry, Jean-Eric Tremblay (Director INQ)

High-level academic and economic delegation visit to Canada

The year 2023 was characterized by three visits of Federal Councillors to Canada, which included a historic first visit of a President of the Swiss Confederation to Canada, when Alain Berset met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The visit of a large Swiss scientific and economic mission to Canada, led by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, stood out as the highlight of the activities in the areas of education, research and innovation in Canada, as it produced several tangible outcomes and has had an impact for Swiss researchers looking for cooperation opportunities with Canada.

Firstly, during this visit, the renewed Joint Statement on Science and Technology was signed in Montreal by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and his Canadian counterpart François-Philippe Champagne, from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). It emphasizes potential cooperation areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum technologies, Life Sciences and Cleantech.
Secondly, an Expression of Interest Letter between the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) in Toronto, led to a partnership agreement some 6 months later. It facilitates access for Swiss-based scientists to the CIFAR network of early-career scientists and top researchers to address key global challenges and to support breakthrough research. CIFAR will host some of their program meetings in Switzerland and organize workshops to bring their fellows closer to the Swiss-based research community.
Thirdly, polar research collaboration has been enhanced with the signing of an MoU between the Swiss Polar Institute and the Institut Nordique du Québec. For example, Swiss researchers have access to a Canadian research ice-breaker in Canada’s North. Lastly, the delegation visit also accelerated the conversations with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to re-establish a scholarship program with Canada.

Of the busy schedule, the tours of MILA- the Québec AI Institute, or the new Novartis campus and a speed-dating session at the Fonds de Recherche du Québec in Montreal, as well as visits to the University of Toronto and Université de Montréal have already led to additional follow-ups.