The Université de Sherbrooke's Major Campaign Promising Futures, Shared Passions - Engaging Projects for Quebec

SHERBROOKE, QC, Jan. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - "It is my dream to discover how to better treat diseases affecting the human brain, such as Alzheimer's and autism. Funding for my research in neuroinformatics could help me reach my goal." Like Maxime Descoteaux, the Université de Sherbrooke's students and professors want to change the world. They are passionate and want to find solutions that address Quebec's various economic, cultural, social, and environmental challenges.

"In an effort to find these solutions, the Université de Sherbrooke prioritizes engaging projects that involve all faculties," said the university's President, Professor Luce Samoissette. "These major, concrete projects strive to promote student success, continue the institution's pursuit of excellence, and shape our collective future. Now more than ever, the Université de Sherbrooke is a stakeholder in the development of society, and this is reflected by these projects and their impacts on all activity sectors."

The Chair of the major campaign Promising Futures, Shared Passions, Normand Legault added: "The projects prioritized by the university are already rallying partners and donors. The campaign conducted within the university community has raised more than $19M. This unprecedented commitment has given us leverage in our solicitation processes. An amount of more than $47M has already been raised or promised. By carrying out these projects, the Université de Sherbrooke will have an unprecedented impact in the community, creating fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship, both of which are needed in Quebec."

Training the next generation of entrepreneurs

The flagship project of the Université de Sherbrooke's major campaign focuses on re-injecting life into the entrepreneurial culture. This strategy is supported by the university's teaching and research initiatives, and its close links with local stakeholders to foster the development of a major entrepreneurship hub in Sherbrooke. Through this project, the UdeS is seeking to triple its research partnerships, double the number of inventions in the marketing phase, and double the number of spin-off companies in the Accélérateur de création d'entreprises technologiques (ACET—accelerator for the creation of technological businesses).

The success of high school students

"Young people are our future. I want to contribute to their involvement and success in school." Anne Lessard, a teacher, cares about high school students, some of whom experience challenges during their academic career. Like her, the Université de Sherbrooke supports research on student retention by focusing on prevention, intervention with, and providing support to at-risk students, in close collaboration with local partners. This project will have a direct and meaningful impact on the graduation rate of high school students in Quebec.

From design to reality: an engineering creation studio

"I believe in sustainable development, and I will make access to drinking water a reality for everyone." Dragan Tutic wants to desalinize seawater using the motion of waves. This student and his team Odyssée are on the right track: they have designed and made an autonomous floating machine that works. Like them, the Université de Sherbrooke wants the best ideas of students to come to fruition; hence it launched a creation studio. This new building will allow students to design and produce tangible versions of concepts from their wildest dreams. The creation studio will become a true crucible for innovation, going from concept to prototype, and spreading Sherbrooke's ingenuity into society!

Improving health within the community

"I want to serve my community by encouraging it to adopt healthier habits." Professor Pierre Boulay wants to stop the silent killer that is high blood pressure. Using a personalized approach, he is seeking to find which physical exercises would be best suited to those who suffer from this disease. Like him, the University wants to play a direct role in helping the public by creating a training and research site that will provide essential services to the community. The University's kinesiology clinic will help improve the health of many types of clientele, ranging from high-level athletes to chronically ill patients and people who want to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.

Additional projects include upgrading the Faculty of Law's library, the Centre d'études avancées sur les énergies et les ressources renouvelables (Centre for Advanced Studies on Renewable Energy and Renewable Resources), the Accélérateur de pratiques entrepreneuriales (start-up company accelerator), the medical clinic simulation lab, and various research chairs on responsible finance, applied ethics, numerous diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer, critical care, etc. All of these promising projects at the University are described on the website of our major campaign Promising Futures, Shared Passions.

About our major campaign

The Université de Sherbrooke is launching its sixth major fundraising campaign with the theme Promising Futures, Shared Passions. This historic campaign promotes large-scale projects, which each have their own financial goals. This relational campaign is relying on the support of ambassadors who are engaging their networks to support projects they are passionate about.

Take a look at engaging projects for Quebec: USherbrooke.ca/campagne-majeure

Download the campaign's videos: http://we.tl/N5ayhyKa65

SOURCE Université de Sherbrooke

Catherine Labrecque, Communications Officer, Major campaign | Université de Sherbrooke, 819-821-8000, ext. 63828 | [email protected]