**Prairies Breakout Session** University of Calgary October 28, 2022 **Attendees:** 1. Stephanie Portet 2. Peta Bonham-Smith 3. Ian Stavness 4. Steve Kirkland 5. Allen Herman 6. Engin Ozberk 7. Chris Soteros 8. Roger Guinn 9. Krill Kopotun 10. Moderator: Jayadev Athreya **Manitoba** - Manitoba has only one university as part of PIMS, so choice falls to the university. - Steering/Administrative committee for site directors. **Saskatchewan** - Saskatchewan has two, USask and URegina, so need a process; - alternates between USask and URegina, ad hoc discussions; - formalize the alternating arrangement; - currently term 3 years, renewable twice; - alternates when they decide; - when a term ends, alternate (could be one or two terms); - should there be feedback from PIMS Central/ Board on reappointments; - Mathematical scientist for the province represents the province, not just the university; - UWinnipeg may join as an affiliate, we can cross that bridge when we come to it; - EDI concerns - discussion of how to incorporate those ideas. - Doug points out: nominating committee for the board? could be particularly useful for Alberta/BC - Nominating committee could pay attention to balance/recruitment/EDI - Nomination process/committee for PIMS SRP - oversight/governance lines in terms of selection of the board - Should the director/directorate sit on the nominating committee for board, if convened. > - Steve: PIMS steering (Dean included) and advisory committees exist. > - Newly updated terms of reference, including terms for appointment & reappointment, needed for both USask and URegina. > - onboarding packages for new board members > - a more constructive and consultative process is needed (i.e. nomination committee) > - Discussion about forming the nomination committee continued. > - scope of the directorate in the nomination committee (ex-officio?) if convened. > - The directorate can make recommendations to the committee. > - Formalization of the nomination process and appointment is needed. **Funding Brainstorming** - Doug: important to be aware of competing organizations in securing provincial/industrial funding - for example, MITACS has been very successful in securing Saskatchewan funding. - PIMS has to distinguish itself from MITACS- how can we differentiate? - Keeping an eye on the environment. - Soteros: money from the province came for Indigenous outreach, not renewed. - Could we get money for educational activities like VXML https://wxml.math.washington.edu/? - Can you tie it to Saskatchewan Growth plan https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/budget-planning-and-reporting/plan-for-growth? - Manitoba has declared experiential learning. - VXML, M2PI can fit in; - can we get Manitoba/Saskatchewan industries interested in M2PI? - Rodger Guinn: economic development funds; lot of talk, not a lot of actual resources from government - connect to industry? - How can we connect to university higher-ups? KK points out that in Manitoba, UManitoba is the only PIMS university, so provincial governments. - Is Saskatcewhan- tie in with SaskPoly (https://saskpolytech.ca/) - training for post-secondary mathematics - tied closely to jobs - Saskatchewan Agricultural Development Fund (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/agricultural-research-programs/knowledge-creation/agriculture-development-fund) - Data Science - Modeling - ISED supercluster (protein) https://www.proteinindustriescanada.ca/supercluster - French-language programs for French speakers outside of Quebec (use CNRS connections?) (using Callysto to provide french language educational materials/programming) https://ustboniface.ca/ - How do we get in the room to access ADF funds? - Part of ADF funding comes from grower groups, and that funding is eligible for matching from NSERC Alliance. - Steve: new VPR at UManitoba, Mario Pinto (https://news.umanitoba.ca/b-mario-pinto-appointed-ums-new-vice-president-research-and-international/) - Bonham-Smith: VPR Baljit Singh - get in the room, talk about jobs - Manitoba Center for Health Policy (Data repository with 50 years of integrated health data, used for research) - connections to EIDM network https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/Grants-Subs/EIDM-EIDM_eng.asp - OMNI, CANMOD https://canmod.net/, MfPh (http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/activities/public-health) - PIC superclusters (https://www.proteinindustriescanada.ca/), M2PI (https://m2pi.ca/) - Sustainable agriculture (tie to climate) > - Look beyond provincial funding; would be better to contact industries; > - VPIs of each PIMS university can be a great liaison for funding opportunities; > - key words for funding in Prairies: jobs, French language education, agriculture/agriculture supercluster > - Mario Pinto: interested in big multidisciplinary programs and HQPs; > - Steve to organize a meeting with Mario Pinto and the PIMS Directorate; > - Have a joint meeting with all VPRs in the Prairies to discuss how PIMS can help the Prairies create jobs; > - Supercluster group is not funding agency; partnership could be possible via M2PI.