Laurentian receives one million dollars from CIDA  
May 17, 2007

Sudbury (Ontario) – The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) announced today a one million dollar contribution to Laurentian University from the University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development Program. Administered by the Association of universities and colleges of Canada (AUCC), this program will finance a project that will reinforce teaching and research capacities at Fianarantsoa University in Madagascar in order to better equip the country in its battle against AIDS and cervical cancer.

 

“Laurentian University, as a teaching and research institution, is very proud to contribute to international development and the enhancement of sanitary conditions in developing countries,” said Liette Vasseur, associate vice-president, research. “Partnership programs between universities, like the one financed by CIDA, allow our institution and professors to share their expertise at the international level while contributing positively to our planet’s sustainable development.” 

 

Dr. Annyck Ratiarson, Laurentian University biology professor, will lead the five-year project with Dr. Paul Razafimandimby, vice-president, Fianarantsoa University.

 

“The battle against AIDS and cervical cancer in Madagascar is a priority,” explained Dr. Ratiarson, Laurentian researcher specialized in molecular biology of oncogenic viruses. “These diseases have a direct incidence on the sustainable development of the country. Cervical cancer, for example, is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Madagascar and is a serious barrier to the emancipation of women. A project like this one will have an important impact on access to health care, as well as on the growth of the country.”

 

Considering its young age, Laurentian University has a long history of international cooperation, having actively participated in numerous development projects in countries such as China, Congo, Russia, Mexico and Burkina Faso.  

 

Since 1994, the CIDA University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development Program, administered by AUCC, has financed more than 100 projects all over the world in various fields, notably education, health, natural sciences and human sciences.

 

For more information on this cooperation project, please contact Dr. Annyck Ratiarson at (705) 675-1151, ext. 2161 or by email, at ariatarson@laurentian.ca.

 

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Reference:

Guylaine Tousignant

Media relations

Laurentian University

(705) 675-1151, ext. 3406

gj_tousignant@laurentian.ca

 
Dr. Annyck Ratiarson, professor of biology and project leader (right), with Dr. Judith Woodsworth, president (centre) and Dr. Liette Vasseur, associate vice-president, research (left).

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