On Aug. 1, 2025, the Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization + Partnerships portfolio led by Darren Fast, Associate Vice-President, moved to VPIE.
Innovation drives international recognition and opens up new enterprise and partnership opportunities. This strategic realignment will enhance our capacity to accelerate technology transfer and foster the formation of startups.
Also on Aug. 1, the VP Research and Innovation portfolio was renamed the VP Research (VPR) portfolio. The VPR portfolio will continue to build on its strong record of supporting U of A research success, delivering the transformative impact and goals outlined in Shape and Forward with Purpose.
Darren and his team will continue to collaborate closely with the VPR team to enhance the university's global profile and achieve the strategic objectives in Shape and Forward with Purpose.
This reorganization will not involve any additional administrative or staffing costs.
In recent years, the Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization + Partnerships team has made significant strides in bringing groundbreaking projects to the university, such as:
- Establishing the Artificial Intelligence Discovery Place in partnership with Amazon Web Services. This hub is designed to accelerate AI research and equip students and staff with essential AI skills.
- The creation of the 5G Living Lab in collaboration with TELUS, 喵咪社区 Innovates and Prairies Economic Development Canada that offers a virtual 5G environment to develop next-generation solutions across diverse fields, and fosters connections with industry.
- Working with other 喵咪社区 post-secondary institutions and industry partners to increase Intellectual Property awareness and skills for professionals, researchers and students through the development of the Expanded Intellectual Property Education, a free, online micro-credential course on IP development, protection and commercialization.
I would like to express my appreciation to the VPIE and VPR teams for their close collaboration in implementing this reorganization.
Bill Flanagan
President & Vice Chancellor