"This regional innovation chair builds on the success, development and reputation of Okanagan University College and will focus on regional needs," says Kelowna-Mission MLA Sindi Hawkins.

B.C. Regional Innovation Chairs are designed to support applied research, development and innovation that will bolster regional economic and social development in all areas of the province, create closer and more effective links between institutions and their regional economies, foster the development of highly qualified people in areas relevant to regional social and economic development and foster collaboration between post-secondary institutions.

"The announcement of this chair demonstrates the government's commitment to developing locally-based applied research that builds on our regional strengths," said Martha Salcudean, chair of the Leading Edge Endowment Fund. "We are building on the unique strengths of our regional post-secondary institutions and their special role in their communities."

"This interdisciplinary chair will provide leadership and facilitate information-sharing from private, public and non-government sources to monitor the effects of reservoir management on the environment," said Dr. Peter Ricketts, president of Okanagan University College. "The sustainability of B.C.'s rivers and reservoir systems is important not only environmentally but also as a source of clean hydroelectric energy."

Final proposals for the project have been invited, after which the Okanagan University College will be expected to confirm matching funds from the private sector. The Chair will become part of UBC Okanagan as of July 1, 2005. It is expected that funding will be secured for the Chair within the next year.

"We have worked hard as a community to build Okanagan University College to a post-secondary institution that we can be proud of on an international level," says Kelowna-Lake Country MLA John Weisbeck. "This regional innovation chair is another step forward in its development."

Six regional innovation chairs were previously approved in principle last June at the University College of the Cariboo, Malaspina University-College and Kwantlen University College.

The Leading Edge Endowment Fund was established in 2002, in fulfilment of the government's New Era commitment to establish 20 permanent leadership chairs across B.C. The Province provided $45 million - $2.25 million for each chair - with matching funds to be secured by post-secondary institutions from external partners to establish some of the best-funded research chairs in Canada. Another $11.25 million was provided in 2003 and 2004 to create the nine regional innovation chairs.