Internationally renowned for his commitment to the development of research, Professor Blais belongs to the generation of Québec's great builders. His role in forging links between private enterprise and universities has promoted--and continues to promote--technology training and international competitiveness.

This great builder has been involved in Polytechnique's development for close to 40 years, and his outstanding contributions to research at the School continue unabated. "I've always been consumed by a desire to make Polytechnique a great engineering school, and I am still contributing," says Professor Blais, who among other initiatives recently took part in the design of the Technopôle project.

Professor Blais's many professional and scientific achievements were acknowledged again recently--and in no small measure--when he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada on February 21, 2003. "I feel extremely lucky. I've always been at the right place and the right time in my life," he says, ascribing that good fortune to his various jobs, among other things, which always saw him exercising new and unfamiliar duties, such that he had to blaze a new trail each time. He has worked tirelessly to put his visions into practice--and continues to do so to this day. 

"At the moment," the eminent researcher reports, "I'm directing two students: one doing a master's in a research field of my devising, which involves strategies for innovation in the new energy sources industry, and another completing an end-of-studies thesis project on industrialization methods for photovoltaics in developing countries."

Curious, visionary and entrepreneurial by nature, Professor Blais recently set up a research network to develop innovative practices in the biotechnology industries that brings together researchers from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru. He is also assisting a young Spanish researcher doing similar work in Québec, Spain and Portugal.

Professor Blais is known for being very giving of his time with students as well as with people he meets of various backgrounds and interests who are committed to advances in engineering, research and society. "I like surrounding myself with people who share the same goals as I do. It's stimulating, and it helps you move forward," he notes.

Wherever his work takes him, Professor Blais tries to accomplish something new, original and useful--something different and better. Those qualities are what make him one of the most respected personalities in the Québec and Canadian scientific community.