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Foundation stone for a new direction in
research
In the opinion of Aftab A. Mufti, the President of ISIS, Prof.
Meier’s work has been critical to the success of the Canadian
research network. The collaboration between Prof. Meier and ISIS
began as long ago as 1988, with the visit of a delegation of
Canadian Professors of Civil Engineering to Empa in Duebendorf.
“Our work at that time on composite materials for use in civil
engineering applications was, for the Canadians, a signpost to a
new direction in research” remarks Urs Meier. The North
American guests recognized the enormous potential of this
innovative new field and in 1995 founded the ISIS Canada Research
Network. This organization began research and development work in
adaptive material technology and, encouraged by Urs Meier’s
vision, it took on the task of supporting the civil engineering
sector in Canada with new building materials and systems.
Wholehearted engagement for ISIS and Empa
It is not just his role as a pathfinder in a world of new ideas
that has earned Prof. Meier his high repute in Canada, though. As
an Invited Guest at the annual ISIS Conference, he presents
Empa’s latest research work to an audience of experts drawn
from all over the world. These Keynote Lectures confirm Empa’s
position as a serious and innovative research establishment, and
raise its profile on the international scientific stage.
As Chairman of the Evaluation Committee since 1996, the decision on
which of the various projects to encourage and which to terminate
lies with Prof. Meier and his ISIS colleagues. He recounts that it
surprises him that the friendly relationship he has with the
researchers has never suffered despite the fact that
committee’s evaluation reports are decisive for the future of
the scientists and their projects.
A stipend for new visions
The Urs Meier Scholarship is awarded to the researcher who presents
the best idea for a project to ISIS. The ultimate decision between
the two finalists of the shortlisted projects is made by Prof.
Meier himself. The winner of the stipend can chose to work at one
of the 15 first class Canadian universities with which ISIS
collaborates. In addition, he or she can count on the support of a
network of 276 researchers and 33 full-time project leaders who are
in close contact with 92 organizations drawn from the private
sector.
Embedded in this network of researchers, universities and private
enterprises, and financed by the scholarship, the winning scientist
is encouraged to turn his or her vision into reality and given the
tools to do so. In the same way as once Urs Meier turned his vision
of developing and using composite materials for civil engineering
applications into reality.
Author: Dominik Lang
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