Bernadette Fernandes will serve as the advanced manufacturing principal for UNB's new Fulcrum Initiative. (Image: Video capture from Zoom)
The University of New Brunswick has launched a “one-stop shop for research partnerships.”
The UNB Fulcrum Initiative will be led by Hart Devitt, director of the university’s research and partnership group.
Devitt said the initiative was established based on need expressed by industry.
Strategic resources will used to support the priority focus on advanced manufacturing.
“We are able to support your R&D needs including 3D metal printing, new materials development and testing, offsite and digitally enabled construction, contract and intellectual property law, business and many other areas,” Devitt said.
Devitt said they’ve hired Bernadette Fernandes as the new principal for advanced manufacturing, which has been identified as a priority area.
“Bernadette will be your single point of contact for all things advanced manufacturing. She’ll have her fingers on the pulse of our institution and will be able to facilitate your ability to leverage this capacity in solving your challenges,” Devitt said.
Fernandes founded the Varanda Network in 2011, an economic development company focused on developing engaging and fruitful relationships between academia, industry and government.
“So after five years with the province of New Brunswick and two years with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I was fortunate to work with the manufacturing industry in Atlantic Canada over the better part of last year,” Fernandes said, “I am really looking forward to working with all of you. I can’t wait to dive in.”
Devitt said when it is safe to do so, office space will be established in Saint John and Fredericton.
Funding support for the Fulcrum Initiative was provided by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Molson Foundation.
We are pleased to introduce the Fulcrum Initiative, enhancing our innovation, commercialization and research partnership activities and contributing to New Brunswick’s growth, wellbeing and economy. Learn more: https://t.co/wL6bVx5WAb pic.twitter.com/sRc1ohxZ4Z
— UNB (@UNB) May 20, 2021
