Ron Woodward

R&D in Canada’s Colleges & Institutes: Challenge & Opportunity

By Ron Woodward

There are more than 200 colleges and institutes in Canada that serve 1,950,000 students annually. These institutions are well-known for providing skilled workers to and industry and for ensuring the relevance of the country’s work force through lifelong learning opportunities. What’s less well-known is the contribution that colleges and institutes make to Canada’s economic and social well-being through research and development (R&D).

A critical component of the innovation process is the application of technology and processes in industry, government and other organizations to create a flourishing society. Small- and medium-sized companies, in particular, require support in transforming and adapting technology into tangible products and services for the marketplace.

Colleges and institutes are community-based institutions that have developed extensive expertise in applied research, technology transfer, product development and commercialization in helping companies compete in the new economy. For example, the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program has Industrial Technology Advisors located on many college campuses across Canada.

Colleges have extensive experience collaborating with university, government and industry-based researchers and in helping companies innovate. As our dependence on knowledge as the prime commodity of our economy increases, the opportunity for colleges and institutes to play an even greater role in R&D increases. Collaboration and partnerships across the learning, research and knowledge spectrum that also include colleges will enhance Canada’s success in the global economy. They have demonstrated capability to undertake problem-based research that serves companies in their communities and can be applied globally.

Colleges and institutes incubate ideas, focus on innovation and improve processes and products. These institutions are close to industry and understand their needs, advising and providing technical assistance to companies, especially smaller businesses. Colleges and institutes are contributing to innovation in Canada, whether it’s through one of the 18 technology transfer centres located in Quebec colleges, the Olds College Centre for Innovation in Alberta which specializes in agricultural research, research into global warming at Yukon College, leading edge research into interactive animation at Sheridan College in Ontario, mechanical/electrical applied research through the Technology Centre at the B.C. Institute of Technology in Burnaby, or mining-related research at Cambrian College in Sudbury.

The need, and the opportunity to mobilize this important resource in strengthening Canada’s global competitiveness, has never been greater. But in order to move to the next plateau, there are challenges that colleges and institutes must address. There is little awareness and recognition of the role of colleges and institutes in the national research/ innovation agenda. Colleges and institutes need to do a better job of demonstrating their abilities on the national stage.

In many provinces, colleges and institutes do not have a legislative mandate to do research. This view that research and innovation is the exclusive role of universities is outdated, as colleges work with universities to do research. For example, many college and institute faculty play formal roles in projects funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). A few college faculty have received NSERC funding directly. About 60 colleges and institutes have been approved to seek funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation funding and 40 individual projects have been approved to date.

Colleges and institutes often lack the capacity in terms of human resources and infrastructure and there are very few designated research personnel in colleges and institutes. Operating dollars cannot be used to support research in many instances, making it difficult for these institutions to provide matching dollars that are often required for receiving research grants. Most institutions do not have formal policies in place to guide research activities.

Colleges and institutes are working through their national organization, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), to build on our strengths, address the challenges we face and create opportunities for more involvement in Canada’s innovation agenda. Colleges and institutes across Canada are proactively working with government, universities, industry and one another to move to new heights in contributing to Canada’s success through R&D.

Ron Woodward is president Red Deer College in Alberta