Niagara College has earned the honour of being in the top 15 colleges in the country for research funding, according to a new national study released today.
In its inaugural report “Top 50 Research Colleges,” Research Infosource Inc. has announced the rank of 13 for Niagara College, based on total research funding numbers for 2012. It was also fourth among Ontario’s five leading colleges.
What’s more, using data from the past two years, Niagara College’s research funding increased by more than 22% between 2011 and 2012, up to $3.246 million in 2012 from $2.644 million in 2011.
Research funding allows the college to partner with small- and medium-sized businesses in the region to conduct projects which provide innovative solutions for industry. These include producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products and processes.
“This ranking reaffirms the importance Niagara College attaches to supporting the revitalization of the Niagara economy through our applied research initiatives,” said College president Dan Patterson. “Our strong industry-education connections help support the applied research needs of industry and, at the same, time link our students and the expertise of our faculty to local business.”
Research funding is administered by Niagara Research, the Research & Innovation division of Niagara College. With funding support from various regional, provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners leap forward in the marketplace.
“The College’s ranking among the top 15 colleges in Canada for research funding validates the tremendous work being done by Niagara Research in areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital media and IT, food and beverage innovation, agriculture, and business – to name a few,” said Marc Nantel, NC’s associate vice-president of Research & Innovation. “We expect to see our ranking climb even higher on the list in the future due to recent strides Niagara Research has made, including the acquisition of important equipment and project funding that have been secured for 2013-14.”
Research Infosource annually compiles listings of the Top 50 research universities, corporate R&D spenders, and research hospitals. This year marks the first year a list has been released for the Top 50 research colleges in Canada.
A special report on all 2012 categories, including comprehensive listings, analysis and insight, will be published on Nov. 8.
Niagara Research conducts research projects with industry partners in the areas of advanced manufacturing, agriculture and environment, digital media and information technologies, food and beverage innovation, and business and commercialization solutions.
- Read about Niagara Research success stories: http://niagararesearch.ca/Projects.
- For more information on Niagara Research, visit http://www.NiagaraCollege.ca/Research.
- For more information on the Top 50 list, go to http://www.researchinfosource.com.
Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Continuing Education 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.
