Auditor General's Report on Research

The Auditor General conducted a value-for-money audit on the Ontario Research Fund, and among the recommendations is more focus on applied research. Of note is CONII, singled out in the last budget for expansion, which is listed as a model for applied research. Colleges' closeness to industry and ability to leverage private sector contributions fosters more direct business expenditures on R&D. GBC's focus on grads who not only get the job, but get the job done, is a key differentiator of the College applied research advantage.

Science and Technology Showcase Highlights Value of Polytechnic Research

The Fourth Annual Polytechnics Canada Science and Technology Showcase - "Igniting Innovation" - was held last Friday at Seneca College. The event was a great success, featuring student presentations on industry applied research projects. Read the Polytechnics Canada press release to learn more about the event, including speeches by Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear, and NSERC President Suzanne Fortier. GBC students Angella Mackey and Gita McAllister won first prize for their presentation on the Heart Monitoring Vest.

Of note is the announcement of the new NSERC CCIP winners, and the Strategic Partnerships Initiative, which is linking applied research with industry more directly, a theme picked up also by CIHR at two other conferences I attended this past week. "Connect. Collaborate. Prosper" is NSERC's partnerships tagline, and encompasses well the need for Canada to engage in more public+private partnerships that will increase social and economic productivity and foster innovation literacy in our highly qualified and skilled graduates as they enter the innovation economy.