A strategic interuniversity cluster
The Centre d'études nordiques (CEN), founded in 1961, is a strategic interuniversity cluster supported financially by FRQNT between Université Laval, Université du Québec à Rimouski and the Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique. It also includes members from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Université du Québec à Montréal, l'École de Technologie Supérieure (Montréal), McGill University, Concordia University and Cégep F-X Garneau. Today, the CEN brings together more than 300 researchers, students, trainees and professionals from various disciplines (biology and microbiology, geography, geology, engineering, archaeology, land use planning).
CEN's mission
CEN's mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of northern regions by improving our understanding of these environments and our ability to predict the changes that affect them. In partnership with the scientific, government, Indigenous and industrial communities at the national and international levels, CEN generates fundamental and applied knowledge in order to develop expertise adapted to northern regions and to propose strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate and environmental change in cold environments. CEN trains highly qualified professionals to meet the challenges posed by the dual context of global warming and the accelerated socio-economic development of the North. CEN co-produces knowledge with northern communities and organizations to contribute to education and socio-cultural well-being and to address local concerns.
