BioLIGHT 2003
Canada’s First Biophotonics Primer & Workshop
November 13-16, 2003

Organized by Vitesse Re-Skilling^TM Canada Inc.
and the Canadian Institute for Photonic Innovations

A Message from the President of Vitesse Re-Skilling^TM Canada Inc.:

I am very pleased to inform you about the success of Canada’s First Biophotonics Primer & Workshop – dubbed BioLIGHT 2003.

BioLIGHT 2003 was attended by a cross-section of leading Canadian & US physicists, optical scientists, biochemists, biologists, medical practitioners and engineers representing research institutions, universities and industry as well as young and upcoming students looking for career opportunities in this new and emerging field. It provided them with the first cross- and trans-disciplinary experience. This event demonstrated that Canada has the capacity for excellence through success in science, engineering, and advanced converging technologies such as the emerging biophotonics field. The Primer and Workshop enabled participants to learn about applications of biophotonics in diverse areas such as health care through new biomedical devices and tools, improvement of the environment through monitoring and detection, and biosecurity and biodefence by development of early warning systems.

For three full days participants took part in an intensive program, which included extended networking sessions and roundtable discussions aimed at providing a comprehensive perspective of the great potential and future of this field and how it is being applied in overcoming health, environment and security related problems.

BioLIGHT 2003 was a success in terms of collaboration by bringing together for the first time physicists and engineers to understand the world of biologists and medicine and vice versa. With over 110 participants, it far surpassed the original target group of 80 and therefore indicating the overwhelming excitement that this field offers. This first Primer & Workshop could not have come at a better time considering many individuals in the traditional telecommunications and photonics sectors have been looking for new opportunities and new applications.

Participants were also able to benefit from the industrial and commercial perspective with companies and venture capitalists giving the attendees their views on its prospects and the courage to explore in-depth the ‘other’ discipline!

Vitesse Re-Skilling^TM is not going to sit on the laurels of the success of this; instead, we will embark on advancing the many needs for skills and networking across disciplines that were expressed at BioLIGHT 2003.

Stay tuned to our website for new announcements to come!

Arvind Chhatbar

President