Fields Notes 18.1 | Page 4

NEWS

Fields Centre for Quantitative Analysis and Modelling ( Fields-CQAM )

Looking to the future : Ontario invests $ 4 million in the Fields Institute ’ s new Centre for Quantitative Analysis and Modelling
On April 10 , 2018 , Fields Institute Board members , friends , and staff gathered to celebrate the launch of the new Fields Centre for Quantitative Analysis and Modelling ( Fields-CQAM ), made possible by a $ 4 million dollar investment from the Province of Ontario .
The Fields-CQAM initiative is motivated by a rapid change in the Province ' s economic landscape , and the mathematical sciences are at the heart of this multidisciplinary transformation . Mathematics is the language of innovation , providing a framework for describing and understanding the phenomena that shape our world . Indeed mathematical models and analytic methodologies – also known as quantitative analytics – are central to understanding , predicting , and navigating the complex processes in modern society .
Within this changing landscape , new partnerships are needed to effectively transfer knowledge between industry , government , and academic researchers . With Fields-CQAM , these partnerships are incubated and accelerated through startups and industry‐academia laboratories , bringing revolutionary thinkers and their innovations into Ontario ’ s economy .
The current cost to Ontario ' s economy in foregone GDP from the skills gap is estimated at $ 24.3 billion CAD per year , and Fields- CQAM aims to narrow this figure . The research and training program will equip highly qualified personnel with advanced quantitative skills through participation in research , experiential learning internships , and graduate courses and workshops . Ensuring graduates
meet the skills needs of firms in areas of strategic importance to the province will facilitate their entry into positions in the public , private and educational sectors , boosting the technological and economic development of Ontario
Fields-CQAM seeks to not only meet the current needs of the Province with its research and training program , but also looks to the future . “ Fields-CQAM is looking forwards ,” said Huaxiong Huang , Director of Fields-CQAM . “ Today ’ s research informs tomorrow ’ s innovation , and Fields-CQAM is laying the groundwork for future applications of our research , by not only developing the techniques and methodologies to drive forward technological innovation , but also by training the quantitative scientists to apply them . By meeting Ontario ’ s immediate and long-term skills gap , Fields-CQAM will assist the province in becoming an internationally leading knowledge economy ." �
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