Study Visit to Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Aiming at increasing digital transformation innovation and research linkages between Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) and European ERNACT cities and regions, our network has organised on the 18th and 19th of October the first ERNACT management meeting outside Europe in St John's, kindly hosted and organised by our partner Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The meeting has provided an opportunity for the European-based ERNACT regions and cities to study the digital transformation development ecosystem of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Did you know that NL is leading force in Canada's ocean economy with more than 50% of the nation's ocean economy? Canada has the world's largest coastline and the fourth largest ocean territory.
NL authorities and organisations (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, C-Core - Smart Solutions for Challenging Environments research centre, National Research Council, MedTech Baxter House and Innovation Canada) presented the digital transformation strengths on key digital tech areas: Ocean, Arctic, Energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), MedTech and Food. Some of the NL's strengths are their world leading infrastuctures and facilities, internationally recognised innovation capacities in harhs and cold environments, strategic location, diverse expertise that spans multiple ocean industries, advanced technology ecosystem to assist start ups to build their business faster and more efficiently, and being a global leader in harsh marine environment solutions.
Local authorities and organisations explained that Ocean Innovation and Technology is stimulated by digitalisation. Furthermore, according to them, the transformation of scientific research and innovation processes is speeding up. The adoption of disruptive technologies and new collaborative and open innovation mechanisms are also gaining ground. In addition, innovations building on generic advances in science and technology (AI, robotics and big data) enhance knowledge and understanding of marine ecosystems and improve performance.
Stay tuned for more updates!
One of the presentations by local organisations about key digital transformation strengths in NL.