Georgian College is urging the province to invest in college based applied research.
They've partnered with other colleges across the province to ask Ontario to fund $30-million into market driven research to promote various industry clusters.
Georgian College President MaryLynne West-Moynes says a multi year fund would support competitiveness and job creation in key industries. It would allow colleges to work with employers on a sustained basis to solve industry defined applied research challenges.
She says only three percent of Ontario business currently perform any research at all, and innovation is lacking.
The federal government has already increased its funding for college applied research.
Each year colleges work with over 750 companies on market driven research with about 80 other organizations to address provincial socio-economic priorities.
“Colleges play a central role in real-world research that helps businesses become more innovative,” says West-Moynes. “A commitment to enhance innovation in Ontario should be a priority in this year’s provincial budget.
Many of the business say collaboration with colleges has lead to higher sales, new products, increased employment and production/industry partners would match funds, and the program would enrich student experiences.
“Ontario must focus on innovations that support business growth and create new jobs,” says West-Moynes. “Investments in applied research will help entrepreneurs strengthen Ontario’s economy.”
