Stephen Hawking on Canada's Perimeter Institute and Special Places & Times for Scientific Progress

WATERLOO, Canada, June 20, 2010 - In a public address before a packed audience at Perimeter Institute for
Theoretical Physics (PI), Prof. Stephen Hawking, PI Distinguished Research
Chair, recounted his research, life and times, saying that it has been a
glorious period to contribute to our picture of the universe. Prof. Hawking
is conducting private research activities at PI this summer, in what is
expected to be the first of many visits.

The celebration of science, being televised across Canada on TVO, kicked
off with Mike Lazaridis, PI founder and Board Chair, sharing reasons why
basic research, particularly theoretical physics, is not only crucial to
understanding how the universe behaves at a fundamental level, but also
drives the building of knowledge-based nations, paves the way for new and
transformative technologies and creates long term value throughout society.

PI Director Neil Turok elaborated on how theoretical physics "is one of
the lowest-cost, highest-impact scientific disciplines," contributing key
concepts to fields ranging from astronomy to neuroscience, pure mathematics
to computer science and beyond. Dr. Turok also provided an exciting update
on the institute and shared, "Stephen joins us at a particularly special
moment for PI, as the research centre expansion named in his honour
progresses rapidly toward completion. The Stephen Hawking Centre at
Perimeter Institute will increase research capacity and provide an
exceptional environment for physicists to conceive, visualize and gain an
improved understanding of the nature of physical reality."

The new construction is part of an overall 'Expanding the Perimeter'
advancement initiative, in which public and private partners come together to
invest in cutting edge research, training of next generation scientists and
educational outreach activities. The Honourable Tony Clement, Canada's
Minister of Industry, spoke about the great value Canadians place on
scientific achievement and how "the federal government has had a strong and
successful relationship with Perimeter Institute" which he further described
as "the formidable science community that Mike Lazaridis, Neil Turok, the
faculty, researchers, and staff have built here in the past ten years."

In his official welcome to Prof. Hawking, the Honourable Dalton McGuinty,
Premier of Ontario, said, "Stephen Hawking is passionate about helping
humanity understand the complexity of the universe. We're honoured to
welcome him to Ontario and Perimeter Institute, where we are pushing the
boundaries of our shared knowledge even further."

In communicating his excitement and enthusiasm for scientific progress,
Prof. Hawking said, "The recipe is simple: Bring brilliant people together,
in an inspiring and free intellectual environment, where they are encouraged
to pursue ambitious and timely research. The importance of special places
and special times, where magical progress can happen, cannot be overstated…
It seems to me, the same ingredients are being assembled here, at Perimeter
Institute. Perimeter's chosen scientific focus, connecting quantum theory
and spacetime, is central to new insights, which are emerging, concerning
not only black holes and the beginning of the universe, but also nuclear and
particle physics, quantum computers, and the science of new materials.
Perimeter is a grand experiment in theoretical physics. I am hoping, and
expecting, great things will happen here."

Broadcast Feed Available

Prof. Hawking's presentation was filmed in HD in front of a filled
theatre at PI. B reel of Prof. Hawking at PI and clips from the event will
be packaged into a 10 minute broadcast feed.

Below are the coordinates for the two satellite uplinks that will carry
the broadcast feed on June 20, 2010 from 19:00-19:15 EDT.

    North American Uplink:
    Galaxy 17 K19 slot A
    U/L: 14366.5V
    D/L: 12066.5H
    Symbol rate: 6.1113
    FEC 3/4

    European Uplink:
    NSS7 ENV8/EUH8 Slot AB (9 Mhz)
    U/L: 14474.5V
    D/L: 11684.5H
    Symbol rate: 7.5
    FEC 7/8
    QPSK DVB

About Perimeter Institute

Canada's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is an independent,
non-profit, scientific research and educational outreach organization where
international scientists cluster to push the limits of our understanding of
physical laws and develop new ideas about the very essence of space, time,
matter and information. The centre provides a multi-disciplinary environment
to foster scientific collaboration in research areas of cosmology, particle
physics, quantum foundations, quantum gravity, quantum information,
superstring theory, and related disciplines. PI also provides a wide array of
award-winning outreach programs for students, teachers and the general public
across Canada in order to share the joy of research, discovery and innovation.
In partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada, PI continues to be
a successful example of private and public collaboration in science research
and education. www.perimeterinstitute.ca/

For further information: Media contact: Lisa Lambert,
llambert@perimeterinstitute.ca, +1-519-569-7600 x5051

For further information: Media contact: Lisa Lambert, llambert at perimeterinstitute.ca, +1-519-569-7600 x5051