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John Maloney Announces Support for Community Innovation Initiative in Ontario
Welland, Ontario, December 1, 2004 – John Maloney, Member of Parliament for Welland, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced a federal investment of up to $600,000 over the next three years for Niagara College Canada to increase its capacity to work with communities and enable them to adopt virtual reality technology to support land use decisions and smart growth. Seeing animated virtual three-dimensional versions of proposed land development and use projects, which include modeling the flow of traffic and crowds, will demonstrate the impact of the proposed project on the environment and community.
“Niagara College Canada plays an important role in shaping the economic life of the entire Niagara region,” said Mr. Maloney. “This investment in smart growth technologies will enhance land use decisions for the surrounding communities.” This funding is the first to be made available through the College and Community Innovation Pilot Program, a new initiative of Science and Engineering Research Canada (more commonly known as NSERC). The total amount of the grant will be determined by leveraging additional support from sources outside the college. “Canada’s colleges are important players in the country’s innovation system. This new pilot program with NSERC will increase their capacity to work with local businesses and governments, and to advance innovation at the community and regional level,” said Minister Emerson. “When technical expertise is made available to local communities, their governments and industry partners, the local capacity for innovation is enhanced,” said NSERC President Tom Brzustowski. The NSERC selection committee recommended six awards out of 31 applications. Five awards have been previously announced, including: British Columbia Institute of Technology (Burnaby, British Columbia); Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon (Lévis, Quebec); Olds College (Olds, Alberta); Red River College (Winnipeg, Manitoba); and Nova Scotia Community College, Annapolis Valley Campus (Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia). The community innovation initiative was jointly developed by NSERC and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) will help promote the program to companies across Canada and work with the successful applicants to assist them in interacting with local industry. “Colleges and institutes offer a tremendous opportunity for advancing Canada’s innovation and competitiveness, given their relationships with business and industry in their local communities,” said Gerry Brown, President of ACCC. “We are pleased with our close collaboration with NSERC in designing this program, which will have a long-term impact on recognizing and contributing to the innovative capacity of the college system.” “Colleges have expertise that can benefit local industry. This pilot program is helping local businesses to innovate, which will provide economic benefit to the community in the longer term,” added Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of CME. Colleges can use the funds to assist local businesses and companies in bringing innovations to market. The program also supports the development of the new expertise necessary to assess and exploit new technology. Eligible activities include release time for faculty to participate in projects with companies, student participation in these hands-on initiatives, and demonstrations of the feasibility of new technologies and processes. Details of the College and Community Innovation Pilot Program can be found at http://www.nserc.gc.ca/about/initiatives/college_desc_e.htm. Science and Engineering Research Canada (more commonly known as NSERC) is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. It supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among postsecondary institutions, government and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people. For more information, contact:Anne Alper Suzanne Godbout Stéphanie Leblanc Elizabeth Curtin |
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