At this time of year, Ottawa is buzzing with talk of the federal budget! Consultations with Canadians officially closed at the end of last month, meaning that decision makers are now evaluating submissions to build a greener, more competitive, more innovative, more inclusive, and more resilient Canada. In the context of post-pandemic recovery, we’re drawing eyes to the powerful stories of how college and institute applied research supports small business and community innovation!
- Did you know that colleges and institutes help local businesses improve productivity, create new jobs and skills development opportunities for employees, expand into new markets, and launch new products and services?
In January, we asked SMEs, innovation partners, and national stakeholders to share the impact of applied research opportunities with their local college or institute on their business. In total, we gathered 115 letters representing every sector of the economy to share with 79 different members of parliament! At the beginning of February, we shared some of what we heard. Here’s another snapshot:
- Through an applied-research partnership with Durham College, Health Espresso designed and built an artificial-intelligence platform supporting its connected, remote-monitoring solution for virtual healthcare services in aging-in-place, post-discharge, and remote communities, including Indigenous populations.
- Working with experts in Lakeland College’s Renewable Energy & Conservation Program has helped Decentralised Energy Canada scale the adoption of clean technology and advance efficiency, automation, and digitalization within the sustainable energy sector.
- In partnership with the Centre technologique en aérospatiale at the Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, aeronautics engine manufacturer Mesotoc was able to take a significant step in its business with a contract to automate the production of airplane motor blades.
- Working with INÉDI, the college centre for the transfer of technology (CCTT) affiliated with Cégep regional de Lanaudière, Cyberkar Systems was able to take advantage of INÉDI’s expertise, research and specialized design laboratories to incorporate digitization, 3-D printing, and virtual reality in its integrated IT solutions for emergency services.
- With NAIT’s Centre for Boreal Research, Fuse Consulting, a science communication company, diversified its offered services and products, including a service using 360-degree photo and video technology to innovate natural-resources training and public outreach.
- In partnership with Camosun College’s Technology Access Centre, Cetacea Contracting Ltd has benefitted from expertise in 3-D scanning, modelling, and printing technologies to increase the company’s precision when engineering world-class marine skeleton museum exhibitions.
- Working with Innofibre, (the college centre for the transfer of technology at Cégep de Trois-Rivières), recycling firm BRQ Fibre & Broyure was able to diversify its markets and accelerate new product development, including a high-end organic animal litter.
- Since 2017, SoilOptix has been working with the Agriculture & Environmental Technologies Innovation Centre at Niagara College to develop technologies that help farmers understand and improve the health of their soil, including one-of-a-kind digital soil analysis and nutrient mapping systems.
Examples like these attest to the impact of college and institute applied research on job creation, skills development, and innovation, making clear what could be achieved with further support from government!
- With a College Applied Research Taskforce representing 12 national organizations and regional partners, we recommended the government invest $165-million over two years in college and institute applied research to ensure that Canada leverages the full capacity of colleges and institutes to drive a sustainable and inclusive recovery.
- Our white paper, COVID-19 and Beyond, also highlights how Canada can leverage the full capacity of colleges and institutes to build a recovery-ready workforce, drive innovation, and support sustainability.
Follow our joint campaign and help amplify our message on social media with Synchronex and Tech-Access Canada, the national networks of CCTTs and technology access centres to show decision makers in Ottawa the value of additional investments in applied research!