Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Releases Innovation Strategy

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jul 23 (MARKET WIRE) --
A new framework for advancing innovation opportunities among
post-secondary institutions, the private sector and workforce development
organizations in the Pacific Northwest will result in unprecedented
collaboration and the expansion of opportunities for researchers,
students and professionals in the region.

"This plan aims to capitalize on the vibrant innovation network we
already have in the PNWER region and take it to the next level," said
Rep. Glenn Anderson of Washington and the past-president of PNWER. "The
R&D community in the Pacific Northwest receives almost the same amount of
third-party grant funding as the California R&D community. Imagine the
benefits to the Pacific Northwest if we realized greater collaboration
among our institutions, businesses and investors."

PNWER is creating a framework for post-secondary institutions throughout
the region to work with the BC Innovation Council and the Pacific
NorthWest Innovation Network, creating partnerships and connections to
improve the flow of ideas, people and research. Key elements of the
framework include:

- Creating an inventory of the core research competencies of the region's
universities to identify meaningful collaboration opportunities between
institutions;

- Convening discussions among the region's universities regarding student
exchange and transferability of academic credit;

- Identifying current global innovation initiatives of universities,
particularly those focused on Asia-Pacific, with the intent to develop
regional best practices;

- Creating an inventory of best practices for institutions to anticipate
and meet industry's demand for individuals to fill roles in the
innovation economy;

- Exploring the creation of an industry-driven investment fund that would
support cross-border R&D collaboration.

"The movement of students, transfer of credits and the increased
collaboration research projects and sharing of best practices will help
deliver the full potential of the region, that combined represents the
world's tenth largest economy," said Don Avison, President of the
University Presidents' Council of British Columbia.

The PNWER 2008 Annual Summit included an integrated series of roundtable
discussions and presentations that focused on R&D collaboration,
investments that support innovation, collaboration between universities,
and programs that support workforce development.

The Pacific Northwest region is home to 23 research institutions, as well
as comprehensive universities, Polytechniques, federal/provincial
laboratories and non-profit research organizations.

Other highlights at the PNWER Summit:

John van Dongen, B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General,
has been named the 10th President of PNWER by the organization's
executive committee.

"It is an honour to be invited to serve as president of PNWER, and I
appreciate the confidence the region is showing in British Columbia's
leadership," Minister van Dongen said. "PNWER has been a big part of the
successful implementation of the Enhanced Driver's License, and the new
PNWER Border Charter and Border Solutions Coordination Council will
continue to keep PNWER at the forefront of working with both senior
governments to drive improvements at the Canada-US border."

Minister van Dongen has led the B.C. government delegation as a PNWER
vice-president since 2005.

"Minister van Dongen has made a tremendous contribution to PNWER over the
years, so we are looking forward to this opportunity to expand our
working relationship with the Minister," said PNWER executive director
Matt Morrison. "We are also grateful for the leadership provided by our
outgoing president, Rep. George Eskridge of Idaho. He has been a tireless
advocate for the region and was instrumental in developing a very
successful Summit this year."

About PNWER

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a regional U.S.-Canadian
forum dedicated to encouraging global economic competitiveness and
preserving our world-class natural environment. Its member states
include: Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon,
Washington and the Yukon. PNWER is recognized by both the United States
and Canada as the "model" for regional and bi-national cooperation
because of its proven success. PNWER is a respected voice and resource
for our region, and provides the public and private sectors a
cross-border forum for unfiltered dialogue that capitalizes upon the
synergies between business leaders and government who work to advance the
region's economic strength and sustainability. To learn more visit
www.pnwer.org.

About The British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC)

The British Columbia Innovation Council is a crown agency of the
Government of British Columbia charged with facilitating the translation
of ideas and innovations to commercial success connecting industry,
government and institutions of higher learning. For more information
please visit www.bcic.ca.

Contacts:
PNWIN
Joy Howland
Program Manager
(206) 856-3033

Fleishman-Hillard
Anna Lilly
(604) 505-9048
Email: anna.lilly@fleishman.ca

Fleishman-Hillard
Danica Wolfe
(604) 613-4480
Email: danica.wolfe@fleishman.ca

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