JOINT EVENT MIT - HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL CLUBS, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION. 
St-Paul University’s Main Auditorium, 223 Main Street, 2^nd Floor.

Optional Dinner, 5:00 pm, The Green Door Restaurant, 198 Main Street, Ottawa.

Dr. Pierre Coulombe, President, National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, will give an overview of world trends and their part in setting new priorities for scientific research and development in Canada. The NRC, Canada’s premier research organization, examined trends in demographics, governance and societal change to set a new path to 2020 and beyond. It concluded that there are widespread opportunities for science and technology to contribute to Canada’s economy and to the lives of Canadians.

Science-based departments and agencies play an important role in supporting priority areas for Canada. The NRC has a 90-year history of scientific discovery and innovation, bringing both social and economic benefits to Canada. The discussion will highlight how science and technology can help our nation address key societal issues and enhance its competitiveness.

Prior to his appointment as NRC President in 2005, Dr. Coulombe was executive in the private sector, professor of medicine, and senior official for the Québec Government. His former roles include being Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre for Industrial Research of Québec, President and CEO of both the Centre of IT Research of Montréal and Infectio Diagnostic (IDI) where he helped showcase Canada's leadership in medical research and diagnostic technology, completing rounds of private equity financing and negotiating major research contracts.

Dr. Coulombe was Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) Technology with Industry & Commerce Québec and ADM Operations, Ministry of External Commerce and Technology. Earlier in his career, he was Director for Technological Innovation with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Science. He was a senior executive with the Ministry of Science & Technology, a department he helped establish in 1984.

In the academic world, Dr. Coulombe was a Medical Research Council scholar and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Laval University. His educational background includes earning three degrees from that same university: a Ph.D in Experimental Medicine; a B.Sc. in Applied Sciences (Physics Engineering); and a B.A. Dr. Coulombe completed his research training at the Yeshiva University of New York, and the University of Minnesota. In the area of endocrinology, he has authored numerous publications and communications.

Over the years, Dr. Coulombe has served on numerous boards of directors and committees. He is also a member of l'Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec, l'Ordre des Administrateurs Agrées du Québec, as well as Associate member of the CFA Institute.

Presentation fee: $12 for adults, $5 for high-school children; payable in cash, at the entrance, St Paul University. Register before January 20th 2009, by email to Dorothy Vaughan dvaughan@cpcstrans.com. Indicate each attendee’s name, email address and phone number. For those who wish to attend the meal prior to the meeting, the meal cost is payable directly to the Green Door Restaurant, which is located across the street adjacent to St. Paul University. Thank you.