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November 22, 2017

Applied research: time to move beyond pilot projects

This op-ed was originally published in the Hill Times.   When Ottawa-based entrepreneur Ke Wang had the brilliant idea of using his smartphone to control certain tasks on his power wheelchair, and therefore regain some of his autonomy, he knew he needed support to bring his innovative concept to reality. Like a growing number of entrepreneurs and small-business owners, he turned to his local college to help perfect his prototype. With the help of researchers and students from Algonquin College, he was able to refine the software and hardware required to create SmartChair and bring it to market. Colleges, cégeps,... Read more
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September 27, 2017

Colleges and institutes welcome new Chief Science Advisor

Ottawa, Sept 27, 2017 – Canada’s colleges and institutes welcome the nomination of Dr. Mona Nemer to the position of Chief Science Advisor and look forward to working with her to support research and innovation across the country. As Chief Science Advisor (CSA), Dr Nemer will help promote science and its benefits for all Canadians and advise the government on ways to support scientific work. This is an important development for colleges and institutes, where applied research has been booming over the past few years. In fact they now host over 400 specialized research centres and labs, and worked with... Read more
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July 24, 2017

Discover over 500 hundred stories of collaboration and innovation for Canada’s 150th

Ottawa, July 24, 2017 – Halfway into 2017, celebrations are in full swing across the country to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary. Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is no exception, and has been working all year to gather an impressive number of success stories for its Canada 150 National Anthology. So far, CICan has collected over 500 stories that highlight the contribution of colleges and institutes to Canada’s excellence in a variety of sectors. Launching a new category each month, the project has so far explored six diverse categories: Arts and Design Achievements, International Success Stories, Green Spaces, Innovations, Indigenous Inclusion,... Read more
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July 12, 2017

All post-secondary students must have equitable access to new federal funding

Ottawa, July 12, 2017 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) released an open letter yesterday to all members of parliament and senators, urging them to ensure that the funding for new work‑integrated learning opportunities announced in Budget 2017 is accessible to all post-secondary students in their community. With its focus on skills and innovation, the 2017 federal budget was warmly welcomed by Canada’s colleges and institutes, as was the promise of more work-integrated learning placements through Mitacs, a non-profit organization offering research internships that connect students with industry. Until now, Mitacs internships have been open only to university graduate students... Read more
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July 6, 2017

The federal government’s $221-million investment into innovation internships must include colleges and polytechnics

This op-ed was initially published in the Hill Times on June 21, 2017   When parliamentarians return to their ridings for the summer recess, they will have many opportunities to congratulate this spring’s crop of post-secondary graduates, proud of their achievements and eager to take their place in the workforce. Students with a credential from one of Canada’s colleges, institutes, or polytechnics—be it a diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or a graduate certificate—have plenty to offer prospective employers. Their skills have been honed in programs designed explicitly to meet industry needs and in educational settings that prioritize hands-on experience and exposure to... Read more
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May 9, 2017

Inclusive Innovation at Colleges and Institutes : Highlights from the 2015-2016 CICan Applied Research Survey

Canada’s colleges and institutes, together with their public and private sector partners, foster innovation in all sectors of the economy: from building and construction technology to healthcare and agri-food. Over the past five years, they have significantly increased their institutional and human capacity and now offer environments in which entrepreneurial solutions to real-world problems are developed and implemented. The following is a summary of the 2015-2016 Survey of Applied Research Activity based on 119 responses.
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May 2, 2017

Government of Canada invests in innovative partnerships between colleges and businesses

May 2, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) The Government of Canada recognizes that colleges play a valuable role in research and innovation in Canada. Strong ties with their communities place colleges in a unique position to collaborate with local companies to develop innovations that strengthen economic growth and create new quality jobs that help support a vibrant middle class. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to investing in partnerships between colleges and industry to help spur innovation and the development of new technologies that benefit all Canadians. To demonstrate... Read more
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May 2, 2017

Paul Charette named CICan’s 2017 Outstanding Partner

Ottawa, May 2, 2017 –Paul Charette, Chair of the Board of Directors of Bird Construction, was honored today with Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) 2017 Outstanding Partner Award. The award was presented during CICan’s Business and Industry Breakfast which celebrates the close collaboration between colleges, institutes and their industry partners. This year’s event was attended by Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan, who offered opening remarks. “Throughout his distinguished career in construction, Paul Charrette has always been keenly aware of the importance of employment-focused education which made him a strong ally for colleges and institutes”, said CICan President and CEO, Denise... Read more
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