The Annual Genereal Meeting (AGM) of AIAQ was held on May 11 at the CRDA of St-Hyacinthe. The actions made by the Executive Committee during the year 2015-2016 were first presented.
In September, we discussed the possibility to obtain financial aids from CRAAQ or MAPAQ for a scientific event similar to the one organized in 2012 with the CQVB. However, it felt apart. In October, we met students in agri-food engineering at Université Laval to present our Association. After a discussion with their president about problems within the department, we planned a meeting with the Chair of the Faculty of agriculture and food. In November, we met Jean-Claude Dufour who told us how difficult the climate with the department was and the reasons why the teaching assistant would leave. A symposium on agri-food residues was also organized in collaboration with IRDA during this month. In December, we finalized the translation of our web content and posted it online. In February, we were invited by the students of bioresource engineering at McGill University to present the Association. At this time, the possibility to organize an event on food engineering during the next months was discussed with the department chair. In March and April, the training sessions on hydrology were held in different places around the province. The course was a huge success with near 80 participants and a profit of $10,000 for AIAQ. Finally, some conferences on food engineering were presented before the AGM. Students and professors from the Department of Bioresource Engineering (McGill University) gave four oral presentations. Moreover, students from Université Laval and McGill University presented posters.
During the AGM, the secretary presented modifications to our statutes to include a new category of members: partner members. They are professionals working in the agri-food sector who share our values and objectives and are interested to participate to our events. We also changed the corresponding address of the Association. Finally, elections were held and Pierre Vallée was replaced was Alfa Arzate.
During the first meeting of the new Executive Committee after the AGM, we decided the position of each member:
• President: Sébastien Fournel;
• Vice-president, agricultural engineering: Stéphane Godbout;
• Vice-president, food engineering: Henriot Sabourin;
• Treasurer: Joahnn Palacios;
• Secretary: Patrick Brassard;
• Administrator: Alfa Arzate.
We also discussed the action plan for next year. Globally, we will continue to defend our field of practice (many discussions with OIQ are planned on the drainage theme), organize training sessions, and promote our profession.
Last year, AIAQ added on its website a repertorty of companies. If you are a member, you can post a description of your campany for only 50$/year. Moreover, a visibility will be allowed to the registred companies at the AIAQ events.
Finally, AIAQ congratulates the students of Université Laval (Ultrac team) and McGill University (Mutrac team) for their 5th and 14th rank of the overall ranking respectively, at the International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition at Peoria (Illinois). AIAQ is a proud sponsor of the two teams, with a sponsorship of 500$ per year.