Editorial
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Matane, December 11, 2024 – The Centre de développement et de recherche en intelligence numérique (CDRIN) and Cégep de Matane jointly announce obtaining a 1 million dollar grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
The announcement took place during the celebration of CDRIN’s 10th anniversary as a CCTT, held at the Riôtel in Matane. The event was led by CDRIN’s co-directors, Mylaine Côté and Julien Coll, followed by speeches from Martin Demers, General Director of Cégep de Matane; Frédéric Côté, Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the CCTT Network – Synchronex, and General Director of Nergica; Pascal Bérubé, Member of the National Assembly for Matane-Matapédia representing the Parti Québécois; Eddy Métivier, Mayor of Matane; and Gérald Beaulieu, Warden of the Matanie RCM. Ghislain Miousse, political attaché to Kristina Michaud, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia, was also present at the event.
This 5-year funding, awarded under the College and Community Innovation program (CCI), will help establish a digital intelligence excellence hub for the creative sector. Cégep de Matane is the only public French-language CEGEP to receive this grant in 2024, and the project will be implemented in close collaboration with CDRIN, which plays a fundamental role in its creation and deployment.
Objectives of The Digital Intelligence Excellence Hub for the Creative Sector project
- Mobilize the student community, by actively involving it in applied research projects;
- Integrate digital creativity industry actors by creating a collaborative environment conducive to open innovation;
- Train a new generation of highly skilled AI talents while addressing the needs and challenges of the digital creativity industry.
A Unique Academic and Applied Research Pathway
The digital intelligence excellence hub will train a diverse pool of students through a unique scientific pathway in applied research at Cégep de Matane.
Emerging AI skills
The new pathway will enable the student community to develop cross-cutting skills and train in the latest AI advancements. The focus will be on training and skills development in technologies such as generative AI, reinforcement learning, graphic rendering in image synthesis, 3D reconstruction and edge AI.
Enhancing Innovation Capacity of Business and Organizations
Open innovation, at the heart of the project, promotes knowledge sharing and multi-sectoral collaboration, while facilitating technology transfer to the industry.
A Strategic Investment for the Future
The NSERC funding represents a strategic investment positioning Matane and its region as an innovation hub for digital intelligence innovation, capable of attracting new talents and investments. By valuing research projects and developing a highly skilled workforce, the project will contribute to Quebec’s economic vitality and technological influence.
“We want Matane to position itself from now on as a hub of innovation. CDRIN is a bridge between education and innovation. We are forging close links with the community and industrial partners. The new center of excellence in intelligence is a structuring project that will enable us to strengthen our knowledge transfer mission and showcase the talents of Eastern Quebec.”
“The digital creativity sector is undergoing a major transformation. Our hub of excellence will not only develop cutting-edge skills, but also build bridges between research, education and the creative industries.”
“This project with CDRIN embodies our vision of the Cégep as a true hub of innovation. It reinforces our commitment to being a key partner in regional development, offering our students and our community an environment where research and entrepreneurship mutually nourish each other.”
We would like to thank L’Alt Numérique Desjardins, Cube Noir Innovation, Groupe PVP, Creative Director Anne-Marie Brouillette from Collective Matter, Carrefour des Arts numériques, and the Riôtel team for making the celebration of CDRIN’s 10th anniversary as a CCTT a success. Special thanks also go to photographer Tatum Guillermic.
