February 2023 | CUIIC Director Message

​The activities of the Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre are off to a strong start in 2023, thanks to the dedication and hard work of those on our committees, our staff, and the contributions of our member organizations. CUIIC now has more than fifty member organizations across Canada and the US, each of them with a valuable perspective on the underground sector. As we build a strong network of professionals including manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors, to consultants, utilities, municipalities, and non-profit agencies, we are forming a solid base from which to advance knowledge, share ideas, and push innovation.

We are excited about the ongoing success of the monthly CUIIC webinar series. Since their launch in Fall of 2022, CUIIC webinars have focused on topics including how to advance reconciliation as an engineer, the legal aspects of underground construction and machine learning depiction for underground infrastructures. We look forward to an equally dynamic and rewarding series of webinars throughout 2023. Registration in these webinars is free: to see information about upcoming webinars or to register, please visit the CUIIC Academy page.
 
The CUIIC Education and Outreach Committee has been working along with Benjamin Media to develop informative, engaging educational opportunities related to underground infrastructure. Join us in Mississauga for the upcoming Pipeline Rehabilitation Academy in March 21-22, 2023. The Safety Academy is also being planned for November 2023 in Edmonton.
 
We are greatly enjoying connecting with our members and look forward to seeing many of you in person at the CUIIC Innovation Forum on the University of Alberta campus in May. Until then, we wish to extend our thanks to the member organizations and volunteers that make these endeavors possible.
 
- Ali Bayat, PhD, PEng