WATERLOO - Canada's former chief librarian and archivist, Ian E. Wilson, will help guide the development of the University of Waterloo's new research facility in Stratford.

On Wednesday, the university will introduce Wilson as strategic adviser to UW on the Stratford Institute during a public event on the Waterloo campus. Wilson recently retired from the post of Librarian and Archivist of Canada.
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Location: University Club, University of Waterloo
Wilson will lead the development of the UW Stratford Institute, an undertaking supported by the City of Stratford, the Ministry of Research and Innovation, Industry Canada and Open Text.

"Ian Wilson is an internationally-known proponent of digitization and cultural preservation," said Ken Coates, dean of arts. "Mr. Wilson is a well respected and experienced national leader and will be a wonderful addition to the University of Waterloo and we look forward to his leadership in building the proposed UW Stratford Institute."

As Canada's first librarian and archivist, Wilson played a key role in creating a new knowledge institution for Canada, the integrated Library and Archives of Canada. His distinguished career has included archival and information management, university teaching and government service. He has published widely on history, archives, heritage, and information management, as well as lecturing both nationally and abroad.

"The UW Stratford Institute will bring together Stratford's renowned strengths in arts and culture with the University of Waterloo's strengths in technology to create the next generation of digital media products and services, while producing the managerial talent needed to grow new Ontario ideas into globally focused companies," said John Wilkinson, minister of research and innovation. "This announcement is an important milestone in making this new campus a reality."

Wilson is a member of the Order of Canada and Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France). He received the 2005 Award of Merit from the Association for Canadian Studies and an Outstanding Career Achievement Award from the Public Service of Canada.

"Ian Wilson is the perfect addition to the leadership and momentum driving the establishment of the Stratford Institute," said Tom Jenkins, executive chairman and chief strategy officer at Open Text, who is a key supporter of the Stratford initiative. "His experience building a national institution like Library and Archives Canada will propel Stratford to the world stage in digital media."

UW's Stratford Institute is a think-tank, integrator and training institute devoted to collaboration between digital media, international commerce and culture. The Stratford Institute was established with a $10 million investment from the Government of Ontario and a $10 million investment from the City of Stratford.
"We are delighted to welcome Ian Wilson to Stratford and to help bring the dream of the University of Waterloo Stratford Institute to life," said Dan Mathieson, mayor of Stratford.

The institute is one of two hubs within the Canadian Digital Media Network. The network was established earlier this year with $10.7 million in federal funding to link Canada's digital media clusters from coast to coast, creating a digital convergence corridor and enabling collaboration between researchers, implementers and entrepreneurs.