Humber Supports 2010 Federal Budget

Welcomes recognition of colleges' role in research and innovation

TORONTO, March 5 /CNW/ - Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning supports the 2010 Federal Government Budget. Specifically, Humber is pleased to see the direct recognition and understanding of the role colleges play in advancing Canadian innovation through applied research and commercialization activities, especially with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Budget 2010 contains several strategic announcements that will advance college and polytechnic research for the benefit of Canadian companies. Most notably, the budget doubles the support for research collaborations between colleges and local companies through the College and Community Innovation Program (CCIP).

"The government's new investments in applied research, innovation and commercialization recognize the impact Canadian colleges can have in furthering economic development," said John Davies, president, Humber. "Research projects that help our industry partners bring their technology to market provide our students with hands-on applied research experience which is vital for creating a highly skilled Canadian workforce. In turn, SMEs benefit by receiving support they might otherwise not be able to afford."

Darcor Limited, a global leader in high performance caster solutions, is one of the more than 20 recent examples of Humber Research initiatives involving students from across the college that are bridging the gap between research and innovation. The college and Darcor jointly researched ways to improve manufacturing efficiency, and assessed the business and environmental benefits of using Darcor's low rolling resistance casters in industrial applications.

"Darcor has seen the benefits of college-level research firsthand while working with Humber. Students in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program provided us with meaningful and time-sensitive R&D, while gaining career-ready work experience. It's a win-win for everyone," said Rob Hilborn, president of Darcor.

Humber is a founding member of Polytechnics Canada, which also supports the new funding for research. "This budget makes clear that the research-ready colleges and polytechnics are now integral players in the innovation agenda of this country. Colleges such as Humber are supporting industry-driven research that will create the jobs of tomorrow," said Nobina Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Polytechnics Canada.

    
    Other key components of the budget include:

    -   support and direction for the federal granting councils to accelerate
        the translation of knowledge into practical applications;
    -   encouraging federal departments and agencies to adopt and use
        innovative prototypes from small and medium-sized Canadian
        businesses;
    -   continued support for enhancing regional innovation and
        commercialization through funding for regional economic development
        agencies;
    -   direction to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to partner with
        colleges in an effort to encourage private sector innovation, and
    -   a review of federal funding for research and development to ensure
        commercialization success and economic development in Canada.
    

About Humber

Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada's leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves more than 21,000 full-time students and 55,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide-range of career-focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path. Our 150 full-time programs include four-year bachelor's degrees, two and three-year diplomas, one and two-year certificates, and apprenticeship training. As a founding member of Polytechnics Canada, Humber offers students the opportunity to participate in applied research projects that find solutions for issues confronting small and medium-sized enterprises. Humber is one of 12 Vanguard Learning Colleges as identified by the League for Innovation, and the League's only Canadian board member. Humber finished first in its class in the highly regarded Community College Survey of Student Engagement in 2009 in each of four categories, including Active and Collaborative Learning, Student Effort, Academic Challenge and Student-Faculty Interaction. More than 90 per cent of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies.

For further information: Andrew Leopold, Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, [phone] ext. 4296, [email protected]