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Sanja, what is the Vector Institute?
It’s a research institute that we opened
in March, and it’s focused on
fundamental research in the area of
machine learning, specifically deep
learning. It’s government funded, and
there are a lot of companies that
contribute as well. We do pure
research. Everyone can do whatever
they want in different areas like
computer vision, machine learning,
NLP, and so on. We have many
different topics. We hire around 20
faculties like research scientists that
can create their own groups of
students that they can hire. The idea is
to foster what Toronto already has and
bring it to the next level.. It is known
for deep learning.
What is the purpose of the group?
Originally, the idea was to establish
research and keep the talent in
Canada. Canada has less industry and
less academic possibilities than the US,
which is larger.
There is less focus on Canada.
Right - The idea was to keep all of
these amazing, talented students in
Canada.
That raises two questions. First, how
did they get your talent, since you are
originally not from Canada? The
second question is how did it fall on
your shoulders to found this institute?
Originally, I am from Slovenia. The first
time I came to Canada was for a
Postdoc position in 2011. My PhD work
was very related to deep learning and
theoretical representations of objects.
I thought that would be a really nice
place for me to do research. I didn’t
know much about Toronto, but I
thought it would be good. I arrived in
January, and it was so cold!…. But you
dress appropriately, and you get used
to it.
What was your drive to go on an
adventure on the other side of the
world?
Between my family and friends, no one
ever left. Then on the last year of my
PhD, I was invited by Professor Trevor
Darrell to visit his lab. I went there for
7 months, and that was just amazing.
What convinced you to stay?
It was really the group. I really connected
“
The teacher
should adapt
”
Sanja Fidler
12
TuesdaySanja Fidler
is assistant professor at
the
University of Toronto
and a
cofounder of the recently opened
Vector Institute
.
“
Keep the talent
in Canada
”