University of Saskatchewan and Cisco Establish Research Chair to Pursue Innovative Mining Solutions

SASKATOON, SK—November 20, 2012 – The University of Saskatchewan and Cisco Canada today announced an agreement to establish a Research Chair in Mining Solutions. The primary role of the Research Chair will be to promote, support, and lead research, development and innovation at the University through industry-linked projects within the mining sector in Canada.

Facts and Highlights:

• Cisco is providing a $2 million contribution over 10 years to establish a Research Chair in Mining Solutions. The Chair will focus on the University’s wish to enhance the relevance of both the research and academic programs to the mining industry by solving some of their technical challenges through its research programs.
• The Research Chair will engage in activities directed at advanced technologies and strategies that will involve research, development, and innovation in the use of transformational business architectures, technologies, and solutions for the mining industry. These technologies and strategies are differentiated by a compelling value proposition based on their capabilities to drive collaboration, productivity and efficiency in the mining sector in Canada.
• The Research Chair will be focused on specific projects covered by four major research areas or themes as follows:
  • Mining and processing technologies
  • Environment, safety management and technology
  • Exploration, social license and policy research
  • Transformation and innovation
• The Chair holder will connect to the University’s strategic goals and long-range vision to position the University as one of the world’s premier institutes of higher learning while working closely with the University’s other chairs in a network to enhance innovation, training and educational activities and to share best practices.
• The mining industry in Saskatchewan is the third largest in Canada and a vital part of both the provincial and national economies, with an estimated value of mineral production of more than $7.0 billion in 2010. Opportunities for networking and communications technology growth within the industry may include:
• Remote monitoring of robotic mining equipment; critical equipment parameters such as temperature; seismic activity and tunnel closure rates; ventilation air flow rates and air quality; and biometric data on human workers related to health and location tracking.
• The collection of data on various aspects of mine site investigations, as well as mine design and mine operations, for further research.
• Enhanced distance communication and collaboration for improved interaction between remote mine sites and offsite participants, including partners, engineering consultants, and students throughout the world.

Supporting quotes:

Nitin Kawale, president, Cisco Canada:

“Saskatchewan already has a vast tradition of leadership in energy research along with a large and prosperous mining industry. There is a great opportunity for the mining industry to be even more productive by exploring the potential afforded by technologies such as networking and communications. This agreement will not only help to position the University as one of the world’s premier institutes of higher learning, it will also help to expand the Saskatchewan economy, and Canada’s, by promoting, coordinating and implementing policies, strategies and programs that encourage sustainable economic growth.”

Ilene Busch-Vishniac, president, University of Saskatchewan:

“The University of Saskatchewan is thrilled with this investment.  As one of the leading research-intensive universities in Canada, we are continually looking to undertake new research opportunities. This initiative will further develop our knowledge base, enhance our relationships with industry and government partners, and create efficiencies in the growing mining sector in Canada. The strategies, technologies and innovations that this chair will create will undoubtedly produce positive effects not only for the U of S, but also for our province.”

About University of Saskatchewan

The picturesque University of Saskatchewan campus is located in the heart of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. Since 1907, the role of the university has continually evolved and we are now one of the top 15 medical-doctoral, research intensive universities in Canada. Our campus is also home to facilities unique to a university, including the Canadian Light Source, Canada¹s only synchrotron, and VIDO-InterVac, a facility that studies infectious diseases  in both animals and humans.

Each year, we welcome about 20,000 students to study in our 13 colleges and three graduate schools, including higher numbers of international students and one of the highest populations of Aboriginal students among medical-doctoral universities. Our growing alumni family includes about 138,000 people around the world.

While we offer over 50 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 disciplines, our signature areas of strength include research into Aboriginal Peoples, agriculture, energy and mineral resources, animal and human health, synchrotron science and water security

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO, news, filings) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco products and services are supplied in Canada by Cisco Systems Canada Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com and http://newsroom.cisco.com/canada.

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