’s Innovation Leaders, a RE$EARCH Infosource Inc. Publication November 2, 2012

message: “With its strong public research base, Canada could trans- late knowledge into commercial success more effectively.” Colleges: Open to Business “In the end,” says Robinson, “it’s about making things. We have a ronment in our new health sciences they were marketing their system.” in working with NAIT on “solu- leagues,” says Morgan. “They are pure high-science culture in Canada, campus. “Ocorant came to us for Algonquin’s strong competency tions-based research.” Collaborations now working with MaRS Innova- but we don’t have an engineering micro-electronics. They went away in ICT and digital media is help- range from developing prototypes tion with a second round of funding, culture that makes things the way with much more. A polytechnic or ing bring in industry from several of robotic equipment involved in about $150,000 from investors.” Germany does. That is where specifi- college is able to offer a multi-disci- fields: healthcare and construction conveyor belt assembly automation, This sort of collaboration between cally applied research from college plined approach to helping industry currently. to creating a virtual museum for businesses on one side and publicly to business can help.” with innovation challenges.” “By the end of 2012 every fac- Metis history. funded colleges and polytechnics on Putting students to work on Business innovation doesn’t ulty and department will have been “Industry partnerships and indus- the other has produced important applied research for local firms often always aim at creating a new technol- involved in applied research projects,” try needs drive us,” says novaNAIT applied research in many industrial gets graduates their first jobs, too. ogy. ’s Bow Valley College says Hoddenbagh. “We engaged 500 Eighty-five percent of SMEs choos- (BVC) teamed with engineering firm students last fiscal year; 400 of them ing to work with colleges are small, WorleyParsons Canada to develop are engaged with in-class projects, not medium-sized, firms. They are Essential Skills workplace training which means that the students are Industry partnerships and unlikely to have R&D departments. Robert Fripp in partnership with the Association working for marks in a course that “ Trained graduates are especially Senior Associate of Canadian Community Colleges. is part of their study program. The industry needs drive us. important as specialist employees. The Impact Group WorleyParsons employs many new student hands-on component is criti- Six years ago the Natural Sciences immigrants with exceptional techni- cal to what we do.” We do research internally, and Engineering Research Council dministrators at Canadian cal skills, but who lack Canadian At Centennial College, Trish of Canada (NSERC) launched the colleges and polytechnics workplace experience. Dryden, Associate V.P. Research and partner with companies externally, College Community Innovation are sounding happier – even “This goes beyond English as a Corporate Planning, names NexJ Program (CCIP). Canada spends A second language. It includes cultural Systems as “typical of projects we $3.1 billion on science. NSERC gets if their happiness is marred by the fact or broker partnerships between communication, culture in the work- work on. We are now in our fourth $1.1 billion of that, of which $35 that they can’t move forward faster. place, and how we structure informa- round of applied research for NexJ. companies already working with us. million goes to Canadian colleges. tion and processes for workflow,” The company is developing ‘Next ” “That’s one cent in the dollar,” Colleges: Open to Business. That’s says BVC’s Krista Medhurst, the Generation’ Enterprise Customer Klay Dyer, Director, novaNAIT says Robinson. Ironically, that one our title. Take it literally! Canadian Business Leader for Test of Work- Relationship Management for Finan- cent was originally designed to colleges are eager to collaborate with place Essential Skills (TOWES), a cial Services, Insurance and Health. position colleges within their com- small and medium sized enterprises widely used skills assessment test “CONII” (Colleges Ontario Director Dr. Klay Dyer. “We do sectors. But never before at this rate. munities, not specifically to handle (SMEs). Colleges have the faculty, developed by BVC. Network for Industry Innovation) research internally, partner with The pace of collaboration is gath- applied research for local businesses. students and equipment to work on “We have used this model with “funded NexJ’s first round of applied companies externally, or broker part- ering speed; the scale and nature Applied research done by colleges applied research for companies in the aerospace and petroleum indus- research with Centennial, in 2010. nerships between companies already of participation is growing; comfort for businesses produces output to many sectors. Already they further tries, but it was the first time we had Then a second round with CONII working with us.” levels and expectations on both sides take to market and skilled jobs. productivity, marketability, scalabil- applied it at an employer’s location escalated to involve researchers from Services include prototype devel- are rising; and tangible rewards are “It’s not enough,” comments ity, innovation – in short, success to an immigrant population,” adds York University. NexJ was creating opment, validation, testing and busi- winning public exposure and being George Brown’s Robert Luke. “Can- – for industry partners whose chal- Medhurt. online games to improve the health ness incubation; even helping start- discussed in influential circles. ada needs to increase its support for lenges they solve. Examples help set Before describing applied research of diabetic patients by engaging them ups apply for grants, patents and “So why are my colleges painted industry-academic applied research that scene. at , Dr. Mark with games to provide timely infor- licences. with the same brush as universities, collaboration, including that going Partnering with the City of when we talk about what’s wrong to colleges for applied research col- to install a solar photo- with the system?” laboration with businesses. What we voltaic research system atop NAIT’s That question comes from Nobina have is a start, but demand is fast By the end of 2012 every faculty and department roof also creates industrial opportu- Robinson, the C.E.O. of Polytech- outstripping supply. We get more “ nities. The project shares live data nics Canada and, last year, a member than 250 requests for help each year. will have been involved in applied research projects... 24-7. “This has grown to include of the Jenkins Panel, which the gov- We can accept about half.” many start-ups and SMEs sharing ernment tasked to review “Federal Nonetheless, college administrators The student hands-on component is critical to what we do. expertise,” says Dyer, “as well as the Support to Research and Develop- praise the people at NSERC adminis- ” research and data being produced.” ment.” The Panel filed its report as tering CCIP. Suddenly there has been Mark Hoddenbagh, Director, Applied Research and Innovation, Algonquin College The Dean of Research at the Innovation Canada: A Call to Action. “more funding and capacity-building Humber and One part reads: at provincial, territorial and national Advanced Learning, Dr. Patricia “Studies have repeatedly docu- levels. It seems like a sea-change,” Morgan, describes Humber’s “inter- mented that business innovation in says Centennial’s Trish Dryden. “At Ocorant Inc. makes heart-moni- Hoddenbagh reminded us that a col- mation – to help them make informed est in building a culture of innovation Canada lags behind other highly the Association of Canadian Com- toring vests that people wear while lege’s priority is to enhance student choices. Then we did some Flash- and entrepreneurism.” Towards this developed countries. This gap is of munity Colleges conference people moving around. Electrodes monitor education. based prototypes to give NexJ an idea goal, Humber operates Innovation vital concern because innovation is weren’t asking ‘How do we do this?’ a patient’s chest, recording cardiac Hoddenbagh, Algonquin’s Direc- of how their system would work. Humber Incubator and the New Ven- the ultimate source of the long-term any more. They were asking ‘How do data which the wearer reports by tor Applied Research and Innovation, “Now we are among sixteen part- ture Seed Fund. “Our goals,” says competitiveness of businesses and we do this better?’ ” phone to a doctor’s office. Ocorant described the college’s work with ners working with NexJ and York Morgan, made setting up the seed the quality of life of Canadians…” What about funding? “At national approached Impakt Protective. This company University on a $15.5 million grant fund “seem like a logical next step.” Robinson comments, “If people level, the federal government certain- for help making the sensors. That designs sports helmets to make it under FedDev’s Technical Develop- Students compete by developing a understood that college-based applied ly sees value unfolding, and colleges was just the start of collaboration. easier to detect whether an athlete ment Program.” The overall purpose: business plan. Committees adjudi- research is done in collaboration with are expanding capacity in several Dr. Robert Luke, George Brown’s may have suffered a concussive blow. to build a new people-centred and cate these. companies to solve their practical ways,” adds Dryden. Assistant V.P. Research and Innova- “Impakt Protective was working on a technology-enabled system that will “Each young business is eligible problems, then they could stop think- Here’s one example of what has tion, explains: sensor and accelerometers you could allow people to better manage their for up to $8,000. One first year ing of college and university research been done: the nine members of “We have a significant fashion put into a sports helmet to detect the own health and more easily connect winner was Spently.com.” Designed as competing against each other. Polytechnics Canada conducted design program, so we were also force and direction of a blow,” says with health and wellness profession- for merchants of any size, Spently’s “Where that collaboration is able $33.1 million of sponsored research able to help Ocorant design a vest Hoddenbagh. “The system calculates als, an integral part of Canada’s focus product sends one customer, or 3,000 to happen, it’s working wonder- in fiscal 2010/11. In fiscal 2011/12 to position the sensors and technol- whether an event may be concussive. on health and wellness. customers, an electronic receipt, fully,” she adds. “A recent OECD that figure rose to $44.2 million, up ogy comfortably. Our engineering That way you can get the person to In a number of sectors, Centennial usually by email. A receipt can be report ranked Canada as one of about one quarter in a single year. faculty and students worked on the treatment right away. is seeing its partner industries “send- either generic, as in “10% off your the highest investing countries in That figure from just nine colleges microelectronics; fashion students “Algonquin linked Impakt Protec- ing us their suppliers as well.” next purchase,” or tightly targeted, upstream ideas-generation, but we is larger than the total amount dis- built the garment. Then we linked tive with a software developer and a Five years ago Edmonton’s North- “Andrew, this deal is just for you. don’t do enough to link applied tributed by NSERC’s CCIP program. Ocorant to students in our nursing wireless specialist – two professors, ern Alberta Institute of Technology The next widget you buy from us research and industry.” In Sep- Now, if governments were to prime program. They tested the vest on each working with two students. In (NAIT) launched novaNAIT, a one- will be 25% off.” tember, that report, Science and the college pump a little more, what people in the simulated home envi- less than six months of work with us stop shop for industries interested “Spently has moved to the big Innovation: Canada, condensed that might be possible across this land? Canada’s Innovation Leaders, a RE$EARCH Infosource Inc. Publication November 2, 2012 Colleges and SMEs FOCUS ON COLLEGE Getting Innovations RESEARCH Out the Door

1000 campuses, colleges are accessible es shortages comprise the single largest in all parts of Canada. In 2010-11, 4,444 factor constraining the business growth. What our partners are private companies, primarily SMEs, part- The Canadian Federation of Independent nered with colleges on applied research Business reports that where there are projects. skills shortages, four college graduates saying about us... are required for every university gradu- “Manitoba winter conditions can insight from a younger generation, like According to the OECD Economic ate. Applied research is a critical com- be problematic for many conven- those at , PharmaTrust Surveys: Canada 2012, “colleges are ponent of education in colleges. Students becoming proactive in directly meeting work with employers to find solutions tional vehicles. (…) The novel nature can continue to produce innovative the needs of small businesses in areas of to real-world challenges. These hands- of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles technology, and maintain leadership in problem solving, process innovation and on experiences produce graduates with (PHEVs) made cold-weather operation patient-focused healthcare.” technical skills, even though they benefit highly valued problem solving and inno- and cabin warmth a specific concern. Patient Care Automation Services, from little taxpayer support via the grant- vation skills. (…) The cold-weather improvements parent company of PharmaTrust, James Knight ing councils”. 1 undertaken at Red River College turned Ontario President & CEO Colleges are growing institutional out to be a critical success factor for Association of Canadian Community Colleges The Government of Canada has begun research infrastructure to create more the Manitoba PHEV demonstration. “We have a great working relation- to recognize the contribution of colleges opportunities for faculty and students, to Without these modifications, vehicle ship! The staff at the Office of Applied to Canada’s innovation eco-system. The strengthen partnerships with industry and failures and reduced performance Research at the College of North timulating innovation in Canada’s College and Community Innovation Pro- community organizations, and to build would have resulted”. Atlantic took a high interest in our gram administered by the National Sci- research networks at the regional and project, showing enthusiasm and help- small and medium enterprises Centre for Emerging Renewable ences and Engineering Research Coun- national levels. Energy, Inc., Manitoba ing to enhance our process for creating S(SMEs) will do more than any cil provides funding for college based our new product, the Fresh FryTM. other measure to improve productivity applied research partnerships, and the SMEs report that research partner- “The resources at Durham College’s (…) They were very accommodating to Canada Foundation for Innovation pro- ships with colleges have stimulated new and create jobs. SMEs constitute 98% of disposal are invaluable to a business supply needed equipment, and under- vides resources for scientific and indus- and improved products and services, of our type. Without… the wonderful stood our requirements for product Canadian companies and employ 60% trial equipment, both on a competitive enhanced their company’s profile and staff… we would have been greatly development.” basis. generated market opportunities. of working Canadians, but they often hampered in our efforts to take this Humber Valley Potato Company, lack the expertise and resources needed product to market. It is a great feel- Newfoundland and Labrador These investments generate powerful SMEs gain access to state of the art ing knowing that the resources are to innovate and compete in the global outcomes, but constitute only 1.25% of equipment, facilities and highly skilled out there and others are genuinely “Lakeland College was a phenom- marketplace. the $2.9 billion invested annually by the faculty and students that they could not concerned and driven to help develop a enal partner (…) providing resources, Government of Canada in research car- otherwise afford. Increased revenue They turn to their local college, insti- ried out institutions of higher education. resulting from these partnerships enables greener future.” man-hours, equipment, technical sup- tute of technology, cégep and polytech- Further investment to support college- SMEs to create jobs and to stimulate local Hotwash Inc., Ontario port and exposure. They also added nic for support. These institutions have industry partnerships, increasing this and regional economies. credibility to the project. Our town, the expertise, the equipment and the amount over time to 5%, would enhance “The opportunity to work with the the community, our businesses and eager young minds to help with prod- Canada’s productivity and competitive- 1 OECD Economic Surveys: Canada 2012, bright students in Sheridan’s applied families have all benefited from the uct and process innovation, technologi- ness while creating new jobs. Organization for Economic Co-Operation research program was a natural fit for partnership…” cal improvements, marketing, business and Development, page 79 us. We firmly believe that industry has Town of Elk Point, Alberta planning and growing the pool of highly According to the Canadian Chamber a vested interest in shaping the future skilled professionals SMEs need. With of Commerce, skills and human resourc- workforce. By leveraging the fresh Canada’s Innovation Leaders, a RE$EARCH Infosource Inc. Publication November 2, 2012 Polytechnic Applied Research: Open for Business ONFO COLLEGECUS RESEARCH Innovation ity, and developed 948 prototypes • Access to state-of-the-art facili- widely available in Canada – the increased productivity, enable Can- college research institutions, and for their industry research partners. ties – our industry-focused teach- applied research, commercializa- ada to realign R&D expenditure greater industry-academic part- Colleges across the country are ing facilities double as applied tion-focused “last mile” services imbalances, and correct our long- nerships overall, building a true involved in similar activity, as Can- research labs for companies or sci- that industry needs in order to test standing poor record on industrial innovation system that plays to ada initiates investment in college entists who do not have equipment market assumptions. innovation. the strengths of all its parts. By applied research as a vital lever in or need help making a prototype Canada needs to encourage There is work to be done by working together, we can increase the R&D toolkit. or product. industry-academic partnerships the polytechnic and college sectors Canada’s global competitiveness. The breadth of industry partner- and have each party play to their in continuing to build the applied ships that polytechnic and college • Access to markets and networks – strengths, be this basic research, research capacity while finding bet- Dr. Robert Luke is AVP, Research applied research enables was noted we leverage our close ties to indus- applied research, or industry ter ways to measure outcomes. This and Innovation, George Brown in the recent Council of Canadian try to help our research partners focused innovation. We need a requires us to focus on outputs and College, and Chair, Polytechnics Academies Expert Panel Report on develop products and sales. better balance between the input on collaborative data gathering to Canada Research Group. He “The State of Science and Technol- and output sides of the innovation show the return on the (modest) served as a member of the Coun- ogy in Canada, 2012.” The report • Access to capital – government equation. Broadening the poten- CCIP investment. We would do cil of Canadian Academies Expert Robert Luke, Ph.D. shows that as a country we excel in funding provides matching capi- tial outputs for R&D by support- well to encourage greater linkages Panel on Science and Technology Assistant Vice President Research and Innovation many fields of research, and punch tal for companies to engage in ing applied research will foster among university, polytechnic and in Canada, 2012. George Brown College above our weight in terms of pub- innovation partnerships, creating lications and international research economies of scale for firms with influence. However, we fall short ideas but lacking in-house R&D anada’s polytechnics and of unlocking the potential com- capacity. colleges offer industry-fac- mercial value of the outcomes of ing applied research solu- basic research. In addition, Cana- The 2007 federal Science and C dian businesses perform much less Technology Strategy gave impe- tions that fill gaps in the coun- R&D as compared with our inter- tus to college applied research try’s R&D pipelines. Our focus on national counterparts. Our collec- capacity through the creation of applied research, innovation and tive historical identity as “hewers the College and Community Inno- commercialization supports indus- of wood and drawers of water” has vation Program. Yet, the CCIP meant that ideas are just another is the only federal program for try innovation needs in ways that are basic resource that we draw from polytechnic and college applied complementary to established, dis- the land and export without adding research. It is underfunded as covery-based research institutions. value. Our competitors are exploit- compared to demand: we cur- ing our research to their commer- rently turn companies away both This is a strength, and a necessary cial advantage. for lack of funding and capacity, facet of a healthy R&D continuum. Polytechnics and colleges focus limiting our ability to be “open on speed to market and engaging for business innovation.” Since 2008, the institutions that our students in industry innovation. Firms in Canada are not yet comprise Polytechnics Canada We offer industry and universities making effective use of the postsec- (BCIT, SAIT Polytechnic, NAIT, alike four key advantages: ondary research facilities we have, Conestoga, Sheridan, Humber, Sen- but this is changing. Polytech- eca, George Brown and Algonquin • Access to talent – our faculty nic and college applied research Colleges) have worked with 3,759 who are industry professionals, can play a more robust role in Canadian companies, 95% of which and our students. By engaging strengthening national and regional are small and mid-sized enterprises, our students in applied research capacity to innovate. We work with conducted 2,481 applied research we train the highly qualified and research centres and industry part- projects solving industry-identified skilled people needed for the inno- ners to enhance competitiveness in problems, involved 22,515 college vation economy, who gain crucial the sectors we serve. Our applied students and 1,978 college staff or innovation skills as part of their research centres offer services faculty in applied research activ- applied education. to industry that are not currently

Alisa is carrying on the rich tradition of applied research at Bow Valley College.

A TOWES staff member, Alisa partnered with the Vermillion Energy/YWCA Skills Training Centre to conduct an in-depth essential skills case study using the TOWES (Test of Workplace Essential Skills) tools.

TOWES is a shining example of how applied research can be commercialized and used nationally. From its humble beginnings as a Bow Valley College applied research project, it now has more than 43 distributors across Canada and 70,000+ test cases to quantify the important role of essential skills in all workplaces.

FIND OUT MORE: bowvalleycollege.ca/research | 403-410-1481

Education for thE real world

NAIT Forest Technology students are making a difference in one of the world’s largest ecosystems – Canada’s boreal forest. Covering 82 per cent of the nation’s total forest area, the boreal forest is benefiting from new reclamation practices that re-establish native plant communities in different ecological zones. An ongoing NAIT applied research project, involving students, faculty and researchers, is focused on reclaiming land previously used in conventional oil and gas operations. It’s the kind of research that defines NAIT – research that addresses industry’s challenges with relevant, real-world solutions. Learn more at nait.ca/boreal apply now! nait.ca

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