Funding for Niagara College will help strengthen local manufacturing sector and train the next generation

Collaborations between college researchers and businesses help our national and local economies thrive and prepare young Canadians for the jobs of the future. Canada’s colleges are at the heart of communities across the country and fuel research that helps businesses innovate and grow.

On July 17, the  Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, visited the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus to announce nearly $2 million in funding to support research at the College. This funding is part of a $57-million investment through the College and Community Innovation Program that Minister Duncan announced on June 13, 2019.

The grants for Niagara College will support researchers working with the region’s manufacturing sector to accelerate the use of advanced technologies, such as machine learning, robotics and 3D printing, to foster innovation and boost local companies’ competitive advantage. The funding will also go toward equipment for researchers looking into the agricultural factors that can impact the production of cannabis.

“The recipients at Niagara College are building strong partnerships with local companies and industries so that businesses can take advantage of the latest innovations,” said Tassi. “At the same time, these partnerships are ensuring young Canadians get the on-the-ground skills needed to succeed in the economy of tomorrow. This is all part of our government’s work to strengthen the relationship between science and research and our economy and society.”

This investment is part of Canada’s Science Vision and the government’s commitment of more than $10 billion to science and research, which includes the largest ever boost for college research funding.

“Our government is committed to returning science and research to their rightful place. We’re investing in students and research collaborations with small to medium-sized businesses so they can work together on a diverse range of research projects to boost economic development and create jobs across the country,” said the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport. “Through these projects, colleges, cégeps and polytechnics will be making a real difference in the lives of Canadians in their communities.”

“NSERC values the tremendous contributions of Canada’s colleges in the research and innovation ecosystem. Today’s investment will enhance our country’s world-class research capacity, help businesses innovate to create growth, and train our next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs,” said  Dr. Marc Fortin, Vice-President, Research Partnerships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The news was well received at Niagara College.

“We thank NSERC for this significant investment in advanced manufacturing innovation and cannabis production research at Niagara College,” said president Dan Patterson. “Our regional collaborative innovation model continues to achieve great success, providing industry partners access to advanced technologies, services and expertise, and has had a strong impact on manufacturers in the Niagara region.”

“We are grateful for NSERC’s significant investment in research and innovation at Niagara College, which enables us to further enhance the work we have been doing since the inception of the Technology Access Centre  in 2014.” said  Marc Nantel, PhD, vice-president, Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, Niagara College   “Our centre has established itself as a go-to place for technical services and applied research projects for manufacturers in Niagara, and its continuation is key to the economic development of our region.”

Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre

Amal Driouich, research project manager from NC’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (Welland Campus), noted that the new funding marks the renewal of the Technology Access Center Grant by Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada for another five years.  During the first five years, business sector engagement at WAMIC has been very diverse, ranging from manufacturing, food and beverage, agriculture, consumer goods, health, mining, transportation, aerospace, the public sector, utilities, and energy.

To date, the Centre has assisted more than 150 companies, with 173 technical services and 87 applied research projects. These projects have provided a safe place for industry to complement their product development, or to investigate/adopt advanced technologies at a rate at which they are comfortable.

“This funding will allow us to continue helping small and medium-sized companies develop and adopt innovative technologies to create new products & processes, and enhance existing ones,” said Driouich.

A recent addition to NC’s Research & Innovation division, Drouich noted that she has been amazed by the number of applied innovations already being developed at the Centre and by the knowledgeable researchers and skilled students being trained in new technologies.

“I joined the Niagara College’s Research & Innovation division because we share the same passion: applied research, applied dreams; and we share the same values: equity, diversity and inclusion,” she said.

Looking forward to another five years of success, Driouich noted that they will be delighted to see local businesses grow and become competitive both nationally and internationally.

“We will be delighted to see ‘made-in-Canada'” becoming the official brand of excellence,” she said.

Commercial Cannabis Production

Michelle Smith who is a research lead at the Niagara on the Lake Campus, and a technologist for NC’s Commercial Cannabis Production program – the first postsecondary credential of its kind in Canada  which launched in September 2018 spoke about how the funding will expand the College’s research capacity in cannabis.

“Canada has a unique opportunity to be a world leader in cannabis production,” she said. “Leading in cannabis production will include innovating and executing applied research in production technologies, crop management, support crop inputs, pest and disease management, sensors, and a combination of these elements.”

Smith noted that the funding will allow for the construction of a cannabis production research chamber, along with the acquisition of equipment, which will benefit students, graduates, staff and research leads. It will help to train students on control growing trials, cannabis production and innovations. For some, she said, there will also be a longer-term paid opportunity to participate in applied research work which will, in turn, support cannabis producers and associated industries.

“I love working at Niagara College because of the opportunity to be involved in diverse and progressive projects,” she said “The students are able to gain and take with them valuable experiences through their hands-on learning. I’m excited to be able to continue to impact the students and Canadian industry.”

Dimensions Charter

While at NC, Minister Tassi and president Patterson also signed the Dimensions Charter. Institutions that endorse the charter commit to embedding the principles of equity, diversity and inclusiveness in their policies, practices, action plans and culture.

Quick facts

 

• The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is led by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Funding support for infrastructure is provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
• The CCI Program is one of the largest vehicles for funding applied research at colleges, polytechnics and cégeps across Canada. Since its launch in 2008, the CCI Program has invested more than $553 million in 3,158 projects at post-secondary institutions across Canada.
• The Government of Canada recently launched Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada. This pilot program, which is inspired by the United Kingdom’s internationally recognized Athena SWAN Charter, will address systemic barriers in research, particularly those experienced by members of under-represented or disadvantaged groups.

 

Associated links

• Government of Canada announces historic investments in research collaborations between colleges and entrepreneurs

Complete list of recipients–College and Community Innovation Program