Canadian seniors to benefit from technologies developed by AGE-WELL and Mitacs

Vancouver, BC — AGE-WELL, Canada’s technology and aging Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE), and Mitacs, a national non-profit research and training organization, will jointly support research and development  of assistive technologies for Canadian seniors and their caregivers.

This partnership will provide Canadian companies access to AGE-WELL researchers and their expertise to support the development of technologies and services for seniors. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will benefit from the opportunity to develop their professional skills and networks as they investigate solutions to industrial research challenges.

With baby boomers over 65 years old set to reach 23 per cent of the Canadian population by 2028, demand for assistive technologies for Canada’s aging population has never been higher. AGE-WELL’s aim is to help older Canadians maintain their independence, health, and quality of life through accessible technologies that increase their safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation.

Internships from this partnership could include researchers from the health sciences, gerontology, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation sciences, and others.

Quotes:

Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs
“The partnership between Mitacs and the AGE-WELL NCE supports collaborations between university researchers and dynamic companies to develop technologies for Canada’s aging population. Students and postdocs will have the opportunity to work on projects that directly benefit local businesses, applying their cutting-edge skills and knowledge to benefit Canadian seniors, their caregivers, and the healthcare system.”

Alex Mihailidis, Joint Scientific Director, AGE-WELL
“This partnership is crucial to the success of AGE-WELL and our mission. Canada lacks the capacity to remain competitive in the global technology and aging field. Working closely with Mitacs to develop a strong and leading-edge training program will ensure that AGE-WELL produces future leaders in this field who will be second to none.”

Andrew Sixsmith, Joint Scientific Director, AGE-WELL
“AGE-WELL and Mitacs are natural partners because we have the same philosophy: researchers and students need to get out of their labs and work closely with industry and knowledge users to develop real-world solutions that will benefit the economy and people of Canada.”

Mitacs quick facts:
Mitacs is a national, private not-for-profit organization that develops the next generation of innovators with vital skills through unique research and training programs.

• The Mitacs Accelerate program connects graduate students with industry partners for research internships supervised by faculty. In 2013–2014, Mitacs supported 2,240 Accelerate internships.

• The Mitacs Elevate program provides recent PhD graduates with customized R&D management and professional development training while they’re working on research projects.

AGE-WELL quick facts:

• The AGE-WELL NCE (Aging Gracefully across Environments to Ensure Well-being, Engagement and Long Life) was launched earlier this year under the federally funded Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program.
   
• AGE-WELL’s mission is to accelerate innovation in the field of technology and aging that will improve quality of life and produce economic and social impact for the benefit of Canadians and the global community.
   
• AGE-WELL currently has 90 researchers based at 24 Canadian universities and 80 partners from across industry, government, and community care sectors, committed to a collaborative program of research with a core focus on commercialization, clinical application, and knowledge mobilization.
   
• The AGE-WELL training program for highly qualified personnel (HQP) will provide education and mentorship opportunities in unique, applied environments to more than 150 individuals annually.

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For more information about Mitacs programs, visit www.mitacs.ca/newsroom

For more information about AGE-WELL, visit www.agewell-nce.ca