Ontario Centre for Engineering and Public Policy

Policy Engagement Series

 

Ontario’s Automotive Future—

Getting to here from there 

 

Dr. Peter Frise

Scientific Director and CEO

AUTO 21 Network of Centres of Excellence

 

THE GLOBAL AUTO INDUSTRY IS EVOLVING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED PACE, a result of technological and business trends along with the economic downturn. These factors have combined to create a perfect storm of turmoil and disruption. Understandably, consumers, government and the business world are demanding action. What are the major technological and business trends and how do they affect Ontario's automotive industry? What role can research and development and innovation play? What path should Ontario take to ensure that it continues to contribute to the future auto industry as well as benefit from its involvement? These are among the key questions and themes that Dr. Frise will examine during his presentation.

As the scientific director and CEO of the AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence, Canada’s national automotive research and development program, Dr. Frise works with a number of automotive companies in his present capacity. After earning degrees in mechanical engineering from Queen’s University and Carleton University, he launched his industrial career as an oil well wire line data logging engineer for a company in Nigeria. Dr. Frise began his teaching career at Carleton University, later moving to Windsor, to take up the Chrysler Canada/NSERC/University of Windsor senior industrial research chair in mechanical design. Dr. Frise was instrumental in founding Canada’s first university program in automotive engineering in 1998. He participates on numerous boards, including those of the National Research Council of Canada, the Defence Science Advisory Board of Canada, and the Stronach Centre for Innovation.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED.