Colleges Ontario On Board with New Federal Budget
The announcement of a federal budget always gets a polar response. Some people cry “not enough,” while others trumpet “it’s about time.”
This week’s announcement was followed by cheers from Colleges Ontario, who applauded a much needed investment in education and research.
“The budget recognizes the important role colleges play in strengthening the economy,” said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario.
“The budget includes some particularly important commitments to college research activity that strengthens innovation and productivity in Canadian businesses.”
The budget contains $80-million in funding through the Industrial Research Assistance Program to help small- and medium-sized businesses collaborate with colleges on new technology. It also creates 30 new industrial research chairs at colleges, with $3 million in 2011-12 and $5 million per year on a permanent basis, starting in 2012-13.
“The government’s new investments in applied research, innovation and commercialization recognize the benefit Canadian colleges and polytechnics can have in furthering economic development,” said John Davies, president of Humber College.
“Research projects that help our industry partners bring their technology to market provide our students with the applied research experience that is vital for creating a highly skilled Canadian workforce.
He added, “In turn, SMEs benefit from collaboration on business solutions by gaining access to expertise and resources that allow them to do research they might otherwise not be able to afford.”
Schools mentioned: Humber College
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