Visit to the United States of America - Day 2

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, visited Qualcomm’s Technology Museum, which showcases the company’s rich history of innovation, the impact of its technologies on the world today, and its vision for the future.

Qualcomm has close to 500 employees in five Canadian locations and is considered one of the top 15 best workplaces in Canada. It is one of the largest hiring companies of co-ops from the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto. In March 2014, Qualcomm signed a 10-year Innovation Partnership Agreement with the University of British Columbia for collaboration on the Internet of Things, which refers to uniquely identifiable objects and their virtual representations in an Internet-like structure.

The Governor General then met with senior executives to discuss innovation and Qualcomm’s growing partnership with Canada through universities, Canadian employees, and research and development.

Official photo of the Governor General with executives from Qualcomm in front of their patent wall. Since its founding in 1985, Qualcomm has become one of the principal drivers of San Diego’s high-technology economy, spurring numerous start-up companies and attracting other major players in the industry to San Diego. Qualcomm is the world’s leading mobile chipset provider and employs 21 000 workers worldwide.

Upon his arrival at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), the Governor General was welcomed by Dr. Catriona Jamieson, Director of Stem Cell Research. His Excellency participated in a discussion with researchers from UCSD and the Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership in Cancer Stem Cells (CCSIP) to review the progress of this successful initiative and discuss future opportunities.

His Excellency acknowledged Dr. Napoleone Ferrara (centre), UCSD Senior Deputy Director for Basic Sciences and recipient of the 2014 Canada Gairdner Award. Dr. Ferrara was recognized for his work identifying the role of the human vascular endothelial growth factor gene in promoting angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels that can feed tumor growth—and the subsequent development of two major monoclonal antibody drugs. The Canada Gairdner Awards were created in 1959 to recognize and reward the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes significantly to improving the quality of human life. They are Canada’s only globally known and respected international science awards.

The Governor General visited the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley), where he talked about The Diplomacy of Knowledge: Innovation Exchange Across Borders.

He answered questions from the general public, students and faculty. The event was hosted by UC Berkeley’s Canadian Studies Program, the UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies, and UC Berkeley International House.

In honour of the Governor General’s visit, Nicholas B. Dirks, Chancellor of UC Berkeley (left), hosted a reception with senior university faculty and administrators, student, Canadian Studies Program staff and researchers, as well as Canadian students to underscore the relationship between Canada and UC Berkeley.