As globalization increases, so does Canada's need to maintain its competitive edge in the marketplace with new sophisticated tools and technologies. From strengthening network security, speeding the diagnosis of disease and ensuring the long-term viability of our resource industries, the Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems Network (MITACS) demonstrates that the mathematical sciences are addressing key societal and economic challenges.

The explosion of activity in industrial mathematics in Canada can largely be attributed to the success of MITACS. The Network's role in this growing activity is to enable research ideas and technologies that can bring about improvements in the real world; develop links within universities, companies, hospitals and governments where the application of mathematics plays a fundamental role; train the highly skilled personnel needed to formulate mathematical models; and help commercialize research results.

MITACS works with organizations to identify their challenges, trains and finds scientists with the expertise to help solve those problems, and funds research and development of innovative solutions.

Research covers industrial issues such as improving business efficiency and cost-effectiveness, optimizing pricing and revenue, and enhancing network and information security. MITACS projects are designed to develop models and technologies for areas of key importance to Canada including alternative energy, seismic imaging, controlling the spread of infectious disease and climate change.

In support of its mission, the Network created the MITACS Internship Program, which gives Canadian industry access to the pool of knowledge in Canada's universities while helping to create the scientific entrepreneurs of the future. In 2006–07, the program placed 153 graduates with partner organizations a 56% increase from the previous year. Over a four-month period, the interns were funded to undertake research on-site with the partner, applying advanced mathematical techniques to high-level business issues. From improving a prototype that will capture the "green" energy of off-shore waves; automating processes on a building site to minimize construction waste; improving 3-D microwave imaging technology to produce higher-quality images for detecting breast cancer; and developing new data mining techniques to help a company better understand its customers' experience, the program has brought the power of the mathematical sciences to dozens of organizations across Canada.

In 2007, MITACS held a four-week workshop for undergraduate math students that gave them an opportunity to develop solutions to real-world business challenges. Dubbed the "Industrial Math Summer School," companies such as Bell Canada, Maplesoft, MOSIS Semiconductor and Lockheed Martin Canada presented the students with research problems, such as modelling internet traffic for the 2010 Olympics, understanding the performance characteristics of semi-conductors, and modelling the relationship between crime and health in Vancouver's Eastside neighbourhood. The students worked in teams to develop viable mathematical solutions that they presented to the company representatives for feedback. Students left with a concrete understanding of how the mathematical sciences can be applied to complex industry challenges.

A newly-launched start-up company, Sketch2, is based on software technology from the MITACS project Mathematical Surface Representations for Conceptual Design. Sketch2 recently received $250,000 of pre-seed investment from the Ontario Centres of Excellence. The company's software package will significantly accelerate the design of new buildings by reducing errors in the drafting process as well as providing an instant, 3-D view and virtual walk-through of a new space during the early stages of development. Without consulting a draftsman, architects and designers can get a head start on creating models of new buildings by providing design options and predefined spaces that can be easily incorporated into a project. This new architecture and design software will be free to users who will pay a fee to link into Sketch2's system.

MITACS is showing the world that math isn't confined to the classroom: it can transform the way Canadians live and work.

Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems - MITACS (1999-2012)
Focus:	To lead the generation, application and commercialization of mathematical tools and methodologies within a world-class research program.
Funding:	$64.03 million for entire funding period
Strength:	330 researchers and 794 Highly Qualified Personnel
Partnership Power:	345 industry, public service and academic partners
Scientific Director and CEO:	Dr. Arvind Gupta
Web site:	www.mitacs.ca