Montreal hosts summit on innovation

One of Montreal’s most important research and innovation conferences returned to the city last week for an 8th edition on the site of the C2 Montréal conference. Co-organized by the Quartier de l’innovation de Montréal, the Fonds de recherche du Québec and Aligo Innovation, the Montreal Summit on Innovation (MSI) brought together more than 300 participants, experts and leaders in science and technology to rethink current research practices and reflect upon future challenges.

“What the presentations and our exchanges at the MSI demonstrate is that you have to break down silos and have experts in all disciplines collaborate. To take on the great challenges faced by society, it will be essential that the research of tomorrow be partnership-based and intersectorial,” says Rémi Quirion, chief scientist of Quebec.

Tomorrow’s research, now

Under the theme of The research of tomorrow, today, the day was a success, enabling leading scientists and entrepreneurs, and investors to contribute to a collective reflection on R & D, in addition to discussing the future of science and technology, their levers for competitiveness, new forms of financing and the role of citizens in research.

Panelists included Diane Bérard of Les Affaires, who hosted a luncheon on innovative research practices and changing public and institutional policies with Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec, François William Croteau, member of the executive council of the City of Montreal responsible for smart city, information technologies and innovation, and Magda Fusaro, Rector of UQAM.

Able to assemble decision-makers, scientists, professionals and entrepreneurs

“The 2019 Montreal Innovation Summit was a huge success. With the help of exceptional partners, we were able to assemble decision-makers, scientists, professionals and entrepreneurs to break down silos and improve collaboration to further drive innovation in numerous sectors,” says Damien Silès, executive director of the Quartier de l’innovation.

In addition, new research funding models, basic research, and long-term innovation are important themes that were addressed by panelists such as David Keith, distinguished professor of physics and public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, andSabrina Geremia, Country Director, Google Canada. The day ended with a panel on the theme of intellectual property development, in the presence of Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Government of Quebec.

“Tomorrow’s research will help us understand how to involve citizens in innovation and find novel strategies in terms of public policy. This is a major issue and our participation in events such as the Montreal Summit on Innovation is fundamental to achieving this goal,” says François William Croteau, mayor of the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough, and member of the executive council of the City of Montreal responsible for smart city, information technologies and innovation.

The lectures and workshops allowed participants to debate and reflect on best practices to advance science for the benefit of society.