Student research assistant Brock Husak uses 3D scanning technology as part of an industry partner project, in the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, located on the Welland Campus.
For the third year in a row, Niagara College has earned the honour of being in the top 10 colleges in the country for research funding, according to a new national study released today. And for the second year in a row, that placement is No. 7.
In its report “Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges,” Re$earch Infosource Inc. has announced the rank of seven for Niagara College, based on total research funding numbers for 2016. This represents a steady placement of three years in a row in the top 10, since Niagara College earned spot No. 10 in the 2014 research funding year.
What’s more, using data from the past two years, Niagara College’s research funding increased by more than 14% between 2015 and 2016, up to $6.94 million from $6.1 million in 2015.
“We’ve made research and innovation a key priority, because we see ourselves as critical players in Niagara’s economic development, and our consistent climb in these rankings reflects that,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. “And as we help local companies innovate, we are enhancing our students’ education by providing valuable real-world research opportunities.”
Research funding allows the College to partner with small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the region to conduct projects and services which provide innovative solutions for industry. These include producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products and processes.
“We are thrilled to have this validation for the stellar work our staff, faculty and students are doing on industry partner projects,” said Marc Nantel, associate vice-president of Research & Innovation. “We’ve ramped up our specialized equipment and lab spaces to attract new partnerships and funding, and it’s paying off for SMEs in our region.”
According to the report, Niagara College once again placed highly in the categories of the number of partnerships, as well as the number of projects completed. In both cases, NC ranked third in Canada on each list, with 109 partnerships, and 118 projects completed.
Niagara College receives research funding from various regional, provincial and federal agencies. Administered by the College’s Research & Innovation division, the funding supports the hiring of students and graduates to work alongside faculty researchers in helping industry partners leap forward in the marketplace. Students come from a variety of the College’s programs, such as Mechanical Engineering Technology, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology, Business Administration – Marketing, and Computer Programming.
Re$earch Infosource annually compiles listings of the Top 50 research universities, corporate R&D spenders and research hospitals. This year marks the fourth year a list has been released for the Top 50 research colleges in Canada. For more information on the Top 50 list, go to researchinfosource.com
A special report on all 2016 categories, including comprehensive listings, analysis and insight, will be published on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Niagara College’s Research & Innovation conducts research projects with industry partners through its Agriculture & Environmental Technologies Innovation Centre, Canadian Food & Wine Institute Innovation Centre, and Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. The division also offers support in the areas of digital media and web solutions and business and commercialization solutions. For more information on Research & Innovation, visit ncinnovation.ca/
Niagara College offers more than 100, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
