Editorial
Date
Twenty years developing technologies to meet real-world needs.
Matane, August 17, 2026 — The Centre de développement et de recherche en intelligence numérique (CDRIN) announces the appointment of Khalid Djado as General Manager. He officially takes over today, succeeding Pierre Bédard, who served as Interim General Manager this past spring.
From Research to Real-World Applications
For more than twenty years, Khalid Djado has worked at the intersection of research, technology development and real-word applications. A researcher, developer, entrepreneur, and associate professor, he has worked within research organizations, technology companies, video game studios, and universities. He also spent about a decade leading his own company.
Throughout his career, he has designed technologies, developed software, led research and development projects, and contributed to integrating these technologies into products deployed in real-world settings. This experience has given him equal footing in technological advances and in the practical constraints organizations face when putting them into practice.
“CDRIN is known for its ability to turn research into concrete solutions for organizations. We were looking for someone who understands the challenges of research as well as those of technology development and deployment. Khalid Djado’s background reflects that vision and the ambitions we hold for the Centre.” — Nicolas Gareau, Interim Chair of the Board of Directors, CDRIN
“Over the past decade, CDRIN has established itself as a recognized CCTT, particularly in the fields of video games, film, and digital technologies. This reputation, built on innovation and expertise, is what drew me to the organization. I now look forward to bringing my experience to CDRIN to support its continued development and visibility, consolidate its position within Quebec’s CCTT network, and strengthen its contribution to the economic, technological, and entrepreneurial development of Matane and Eastern Quebec. I thank the Board of Directors for its confidence and am very enthusiastic about taking on this new role” — Khalid Djado, General Manager, CDRIN
As General Manager, Khalid Djado will be responsible for advancing CDRIN’s development and consolidating its role as a research and innovation partner. He will oversee the continued growth of its applied research, experimental development, and knowledge transfer activities, maintaining a strong commitment to the digital entertainment sector while expanding collaborations into other sectors where the Centre’s expertise can help address complex technological challenges. He will also work to strengthen ties with Cégep de Matane, particularly through collaboration with faculty, training the next generation of talent, and developing partnerships that contribute to the vitality of Matane and Eastern Quebec.
This appointment is the culmination of a recruitment process conducted by a selection committee appointed by CDRIN’s Board of Directors. The committee included representatives from CDRIN’s team and Board of Directors, as well as the administration of Cégep de Matane.
About Khalid Djado
Khalid Djado holds a PhD in Computer Science from Université de Sherbrooke. He is a researcher, developer, and entrepreneur, as well as an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at Université de Sherbrooke.
Over the course of his career, he has held research and development positions at CRIM, Huawei Canada, Airy3D, Swatchbook, and Cyanide Studio. He also spent about a decade leading his own company, where he guided the development of technologies designed to meet industrial needs.
His work focuses on graphics technologies, computer vision, 3D geometry, immersive environments, and applied artificial intelligence. He is the author of scientific publications in these fields.
