CALGARY – Rogers Communications today announced the first members of a new advisory council, which will oversee THINKLab, a National Centre of Technology and Engineering Excellence to be established in Calgary after its proposed merger with Shaw Communications closes.
The Rogers THINKLab is part of a $6.5-billion multi-year commitment to invest in Western Canada once the companies have come together. It “will bring together leaders from academic institutions, developers, and research partners that will foster made-in-Canada technology solutions to benefit consumers and businesses, while fuelling Canadian competitiveness,” a press release explains.
The THINKLab Advisory Council will be responsible for guiding and supporting the lab’s strategic decisions, “with a focus on training talent, recruitment, and development.”
The council is made up of representative from academic and economic organizations in B.C. and Alberta. This includes:
- Deborah Yedlin, CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce
- Bill Rosehart, dean, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary
- Laura Jo Gunter, CEO, NAIT
- Kory Wilson, executive director, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, BCIT
- Bala Kathiresan, president and CEO, BCNET
- Rhys Andrews, vice-president, education, Selkirk College
- Robert Rohling, professor and director ICICS, UBC
“Through the creation of THINKLab following the close of the proposed Shaw merger, 500 skilled technology roles will join Rogers Technology employees nationwide and contribute to the company’s mandate to create business opportunities through technology and to grow Canada’s talent pipeline,” the press release explains.
“The skilled technology roles will focus on engineering and technical delivery across networks, digital and IT for the combined company, with an emphasis on 5G, DOCSIS & Fibre technology, Digital & Cloud, Data analytics, Multi-edge Compute, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence IoT and Cyber Security.”
THINKLab builds on the investment Rogers is already making in 5G research and development and its partnerships with Canadian institutions including the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, Communitech,Sheridan College, the recently renamed Toronto-based university now known as Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Waterloo.
“Shaw’s current relationships with NAIT, SAIT and Mount Royal University would be incorporated into the THINKLab post-close and the centre would develop new relationships with post-secondary institutions like Selkirk College,” the press release says.
“We are excited to introduce the first esteemed members of our new advisory board, each an expert and leader in their own field, who will help guide this critical technology and engineering hub,” said Jorge Fernandes, chief technology officer, Rogers Communications, and head of proposed Rogers THINKLab, in the release.
“THINKLab will leverage the incredible talent pool in Western Canada, while also bringing together the brightest academic talent across Canada to research, develop and deliver leading technology infrastructure and services to Canadians.”
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