Our Mission, Vision & Objectives

Research & Innovation Vision, Mission, Objectives

The Research and Innovation Division coordinates the applied research activities of Niagara College, including:

• Serving as the primary college contact for granting agencies and councils at the federal, provincial, or municipal level
• Acquiring and administering research grants and contracts
• Conducting outreach activities and participating on relevant committees to determine business and industry research and development needs and priorities, and to assess how the College may provide assistance and solutions
• Managing intellectual property issues
• Developing and managing the start-up of applied research centres at the College
• Acting as the single point of entry for inquiries from business, industry, academic partners, and the community related to applied research

Vision

Providing solutions for business, industry and the community through applied research and development, and knowledge transfer.

Research Mission

Niagara College is committed to pursuing research and development activities that:

• Support community and economic development in Niagara, Ontario, and Canada
• Enhance the quality of our academic programs and professional development of college personnel
• Support the development of applied research skills of our students

Research Objectives:

• Support economic development in the Niagara Region and beyond through industry partnerships for appropriate applied research initiatives
• Conduct applied research and knowledge/technology transfer activities that help business, industry and the community develop and improve products, processes, and services, solve problems and meet goals
• Encourage opportunities for Niagara College staff and students to work with business, industry and the community to conduct research
• Develop provincial, and where appropriate, national and international networks and alliances, with institutions with similar goals to advance research in the college setting

Long Term Goal

To be recognized as a key partner for innovation in the Niagara Region, and for providing opportunities for industry, business and the community to work with Niagara College faculty and students to solve problems and meet goals.

Research Principles

Niagara College's research activities:

• Are driven by industry needs, cost-shared by industry, and undertaken collaboratively with industry partners
• Support the College’s strategic objectives and goals of providing an excellent environment for teaching and learning
• Are consistent with the College’s programs and expertise
• Build the research skills and industry linkages for faculty and staff
• Build the research skills of college students at all academic levels
• Are innovative and work with real problems of relevance to industry, in particular small and medium size enterprises, to assist them in competing in a global economy