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THE PORT OF MONTREAL AND THE ÉTS JOIN FORCES IN
THE INTELLIGENT PORT CHALLENGE
 

Montreal, January 25, 2017 – With innovation at the heart of the Montreal Port Authority’s business strategy and at the very core of the mission of the École de technologie supérieure, both organizations are behind the first edition of an award recognizing the process of bringing ideas to life, the Prix d’idéation APM. 

This partnership between the MPA and the ÉTS was formed in 2016. It consisted of a challenge to the students in the summer and fall semesters of the operations and logistics engineering program at the ÉTS. As per the Prix d’idéation criteria, the MPA submitted an actual innovation problem to the students related to modelling the flow of truck traffic on Port of Montreal territory.

Two teams of students in each semester stood out by proposing innovative solutions to this problem, earning scholarships of $3,000 (1st prize) and $2,000 (2nd prize).

On January 19, an awards ceremony was held at the MPA with the award’s key proponents from the MPA and the ÉTS in attendance. Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the MPA awarded the prizes to the four winning teams and highlighted the importance of this type of partnership for the Port of Montreal. 

“This challenge perfectly symbolizes the MPA’s strategic vision of the intelligent port concept. We put innovation at the heart of our business strategy, and expanding partnerships between the Port and academic circles is a key component in optimizing local knowledge for the benefit of the marine sector,” said Ms. Vachon.

“This innovative challenge made it possible to create real synergy between the MPA and the students, which was deployed in highly original brainstorming,” said André Bisson, the business development coordinator at the office of the development fund and the ÉTS network. “This success story shows that, among the many formulas proposed to the industry by the Fond de développement de l’ÉTS, there is always one that specifically meets the donor company’s requirements, and does so to their complete satisfaction.”

About the Prix d’idéation awards


The Prix d’idéation awards basically consist of participating companies submitting an industrial issue or technological project to students who take an avid interest in the same line of business. They develop innovative ideas to solve the problem.   

Administered by the program director at the ÉTS, Michel Rioux, Eng., Ph.D., and lecturers Alexandre Ouellet, Eng., M.Eng. and Jean-François Boulet, Eng., M.Eng., this “competition” was spread over two academic semesters. A jury evaluated the projects.
  
This corporate contribution to educational advancement, the ability to surpass oneself and the creativity of young innovators also aims to encourage the emergence and exchange of creative, cutting-edge ideas to advance industrial projects with a free flow of information. Here, academic freedom prevails and at the end of the competition, the company is free to apply the ideas and scenarios proposed to meet its specific needs.   

About the Port of Montreal


Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world.

The Port of Montreal has its own rail network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. The Port operates a passenger terminal. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms. Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic benefits annually.

About the ÉTS

The École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) is one of ten universities in the Université du Québec system. It trains engineers and researchers who are recognized for their practical and innovative approach, development of new technologies and their transfer to business. Close to one in four engineers in Quebec earned their degree from the ÉTS. Of the engineering school’s 10,500 students, 2,700 are in graduate programs. Specialized in applied training and engineering research, the ÉTS fosters a unique partnership with business and industry. Find out more at www.etsmtl.ca

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