In 1978, the two-year colleges of general and professional education (CEGEP) of Quebec were charged with taking on a more vigorous role in the economic development of the province. To formalize this new orientation, a number of vocational education and applied research centers were created, each specializing in a particular key technology. Centers have been created focusing on mineral technology, metallurgy, robotics, composite materials, forestry, textile, and fashion, among other areas. While the centers are integrated within the CEGEPs' structure, they are also afforded a margin of autonomy in order to realize their own individual missions. The first two sections of this report describe the origins of the specialized centers and present an overview of their activities, which include applied research, technical assistance, instruction, information dissemination, and a variety of other projects. The next section focuses on the contributions of the centers to the economic development of the province, covering activities in support of small and large businesses and the regional, national, and international impact of the centers. Next, the contributions of the centers to instructional development are detailed, covering professional development, course and program development, laboratories, instructional organization, and services for employed students. The report then examines key factors in the success of the centers and environmental changes which have taken place since their establishment. The final sections identify challenges facing the centers, e.g., becoming institutionalized and integrated within the CEGEP's, exporting technological knowledge, finding stable funding, and exploring various modes of development. (AC)