Rogers Communications today introduced the first members of its
blue-ribbon Advisory Council to oversee a National Centre of
Technology and Engineering Excellence to be established in the
heart of Calgary following the close of its proposed merger with
Shaw Communications. The Rogers THINKLab will bring together
leaders from academic institutions, developers, and research
partners that will foster made-in-Canada technology solutions to
benefit consumers and businesses, while fuelling Canadian
competitiveness.
The new Rogers THINKLab Advisory Council will guide and support
strategic decisions to achieve THINKLab’s mandate with a focus on
training talent, recruitment, and development. Inaugural council
members include representatives from leading academic and economic
organizations in B.C. and Alberta:
- Deborah Yedlin, CEO, Calgary
Chamber of Commerce
- Bill Rosehart, Dean,
Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary
- Laura Jo Gunter, CEO,
NAIT
- Kory Wilson, Executive
Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships,
BCIT
- Bala Kathiresan, President
& CEO, BCNET
- Rhys Andrews, Vice
President, Education, Selkirk College
- Robert Rohling, Professor
and Director ICICS, UBC
Through the creation of THINKLab following the close of the
proposed Shaw merger, 500 skilled technology roles will join Rogers
Technology employees nationwide and contribute to the company’s
mandate to create business opportunities through technology and to
grow Canada’s talent pipeline. The skilled technology roles will
focus on engineering and technical delivery across networks,
digital and IT for the combined company, with an emphasis on 5G,
DOCSIS & Fibre technology, Digital & Cloud, Data analytics,
Multi-edge Compute, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, IoT
and Cyber Security.
THINKLab builds on Rogers more than $25 million of national
investment in 5G research and development. This includes strategic
partnerships at leading Canadian institutions including UBC,
University of Calgary, Communitech, Sheridan College, Toronto
Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), and the
University of Waterloo. Shaw’s current relationships with NAIT,
SAIT and Mount Royal University would be incorporated into the
THINKLab post-close and the centre would develop new relationships
with post-secondary institutions like Selkirk College.
The proposed combination of Rogers and Shaw will allow the
combined company to accelerate the multi-generational investments
needed to close the digital divide faster than either company could
alone, including investing $2.5 billion to expand 5G networks and
creating a new $1 billion Rural and Indigenous Connectivity Fund to
bring reliable and high-speed connectivity to more communities
across Western Canada.
Quotes
“We are excited to introduce the first esteemed members of our
new advisory board, each an expert and leader in their own field,
who will help guide this critical technology and engineering hub.
THINKLab will leverage the incredible talent pool in Western
Canada, while also bringing together the brightest academic talent
across Canada to research, develop and deliver leading technology
infrastructure and services to Canadians.”
- Jorge Fernandes, Chief Technology Officer, Rogers
Communications, and head of proposed Rogers THINKLab
"Rogers' THINKLab is a vote of confidence in Alberta and
showcases our strengths as an innovative province. These 500 new
engineering and IT jobs will build on our momentum as a global
destination for investment and jobs in our flourishing technology
sector."
- Alberta Premier Jason Kenney
“The expansion of THINKLab to Calgary is yet another signal of
confidence in our city’s thriving tech sector. As the sector
continues to gain momentum, it’s critical that we build a talent
pipeline of skilled workers to fuel the growth. This innovative
collaboration will help boost Calgary’s competitiveness by
producing and attracting even more qualified professionals to
satisfy the demand of industry.”
- Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek
“Calgary's growing technology sector continues to be in a global
competition for talent. A critical way to ensuring we will have the
skills and talent to fill the gaps and accelerate our economic
potential is to locally develop, upskill and re-skill talent.
Rogers THINKLab is an important investment in addressing these
pressing challenges and will accelerate our ability to seize the
economic opportunity that results in strong, sustained and
diversified economic growth that benefits Calgary and Alberta.”
- Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber of
Commerce
“As the tech sector grows in Edmonton, Calgary and across
Western Canada, we need skilled talent to drive business and our
economy. THINKLab’s creation of 500 technology jobs is in
perfect alignment with NAIT’s mission to graduate highly skilled
talent through a polytechnic education. Given our shared focus, I’m
honoured to join my fellow leaders on the inaugural Rogers
THINKLab Advisory Committee.”
- Laura Jo Gunter, NAIT President &
CEO
Caution Regarding Forward Looking
Statements
This news release includes “forward‐looking statements” within
the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements
about the potential timing and anticipated receipt of required
regulatory approvals and the anticipated timing for closing of the
Transaction.
We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently
subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may
differ materially from those expressed or implied by the
forward-looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and
other factors could cause actual results and events to differ
materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking
information or could cause our current objectives, strategies and
intentions to change and readers should refer to Rogers’ and Shaw’s
publicly filed reports for a description of such assumptions and
risks. Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when
considering statements containing forward-looking information and
that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as
creating legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We
cannot guarantee that any forward-looking information will
materialize and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
this forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information
contained in this news release represent expectations as of the
date of this news release and are subject to change after such
date.
Forward-looking information is provided herein for the purpose
of giving information about the proposed Transaction referred to
above and its expected impact. Readers are cautioned that such
information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The
completion of the above-mentioned proposed Transaction is subject
to certain closing conditions, termination rights and other risks
and uncertainties including, without limitation, regulatory
approvals. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed
Transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the terms and
conditions contemplated in this news release. The proposed
Transaction could be modified, restructured or
terminated.
All forward‐looking statements are made pursuant to the “safe
harbour” provisions of the applicable Canadian and United States
securities laws. Rogers and Shaw are under no obligation (and
Rogers and Shaw expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update
or alter any statements containing forward-looking information, the
factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
All of the forward-looking information in this news release is
qualified by the cautionary statements herein.
About RogersRogers is a leading Canadian
technology and media company that provides world-class
communications services and entertainment to consumers and
businesses on our award-winning networks. Our founder, Ted Rogers,
purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. Today, we are
dedicated to providing industry-leading wireless, cable, sports,
and media to millions of customers across Canada. Our shares are
publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and
RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more
information, please
visit: www.rogers.com or http://investors.rogers.com.
For more
informationmedia@rci.rogers.com1-844-226-1338
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/248f0baf-7951-402d-ad0f-4b434d9df232
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