Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, read about low-carbon funding for the University of Victoria, who has been crowned the city’s emerging leader of the year, how to take part in an AI audience test, and a Victoria innovator at COP28.

Now, onto today’s briefing. It’s 759 words, a three-minute read.

UVic gets a piece of $170 million

The Government of Canada recently announced the opening of applications for the latest round of its Low Carbon Economy Challenge, with up to $170 million up for grabs for projects deploying proven, low-carbon technologies.

In its launch of the 2023 Challenge, the federal government highlighted the University of Victoria’s progress on a project to electrify a portion of the district energy system that services 32 buildings across its main campus. Supported by up to $2.4 million from the 2022 Challenge Fund, the university is replacing one existing natural gas boiler with electric boilers, which will reduce consumption of natural gas and its overall greenhouse gas emissions, helping the university save on costs and creating a cleaner campus.

“Our campus community has challenged us to do better, creating a sustainable campus,” said Kristi Simpson, vice-president of finance and operations at UVic. “This support will allow us to reduce emissions by 50 percent compared to 2010 levels. UVic now ranks as the world's third-best university for climate action. This next transition will help move the bar forward again for what's feasible — and achievable — in UVic's vision for climate action."

Launched in 2017, the Challenge is part of the federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund, targeted at reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Initially a two-pronged approach consisting of the Challenge and a leadership fund to support the provinces and territories, the government has since added two additional funding streams: the Indigenous Leadership Fund and the Implementation Readiness Fund.

Low Carbon Economy Challenge applications are now open again to projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and align with Canada’s goals for net-zero emissions by 2050.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🌞 Here comes the sun: Sahar Sam reflected on winning the Emerging Leader of the Year Award at the VIATEC Community Awards. Sam is the co-founder and CEO of Solaires Enterprises, a solar technology startup in Victoria.

👀 Lyin’ eyes: Vancouver Island University tested an audience with an interactive play, ‘Two Truths and AI.’ Audiences were presented with a script written by people and a script written by artificial intelligence, and then asked to tell the difference.

🏃‍♀️ Run the world (girls): Susan Rae Blanchet, founder and CEO of Origen Air, spoke at COP28 on a panel discussing innovative climate solutions from women.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Senior Data Analytics Developer at BC Public Service

• Full-Stack Web Developer at Caorda Web Solutions

• Production Assembler at Quester Tangent Corporation

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know!

📅 Upcoming events

Jan 25 | Women Leaders in STEM Panel and Networking

All are welcome to join the iWIST community for a social evening to meet and network with other women in STEM, sponsored by Quicksilver Software Development. Hear from a panel of accomplished women leaders in science, engineering and technology: Christina Jones, Humaira Ahmed, Dr. Kathryn (Kate) Moran, and Dr. Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

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