Advanced Manufacturing is one of five superclusters that will bring industry, universities and other partners together as Canada unveiled a new, major investment to drive innovation and economic development.

Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains announced the winners of Ottawa’s $950 million Innovation Supercluster Initiative that received more than 50 applications from across the country.

“McMaster is proud to be able to bring its expertise and world class talent to this outstanding advanced manufacturing partnership,” said university president Patrick Deane. “Hamilton will be just one of the communities to benefit as together we drive innovation and new opportunities to build Canada’s economic future and create a brighter future for advanced manufacturing in Ontario.”

John Preston, McMaster’s associate dean of research and external relations in the Faculty of Enigneering attended the announcement in Ottawa. “The Next Generation Manufacturing Ontario Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, will strengthen collaborations between the tech and manufacturing sectors and McMaster’s top engineering researchers and educators. This is a great opportunity for our students to be immersed in real-world engineering problems and be at the leading edge of future-focused manufacturing.”

The Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster will focus on integrating sensors, machine learning and artificial intelligence into manufacturing.

Hamilton and McMaster have been the heartland of manufacturing for generations and the super cluster investment will help both the city and the University continue to partner with companies such as ArcelorMittal Dofasco and Linamar to strengthen Canada’s manufacturing base through ground breaking research.

The federal investment will be matched dollar for dollar by the private sector and is expected to create more than 50,000 jobs over ten years.