New program will advance innovation in Ontario's public education system

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2016 /CNW/ -  A new $5 million program launched today by Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) will bring new innovative technologies, products and services to Ontario's public education system.

OCE's AdvancingEducation program will support up to 10 projects connecting Ontario's English and French public elementary and high schools, and post-secondary institutions with Ontario companies to test early market engagement models and demonstrate innovative products and technologies in an education setting.

"We are pleased to be part of this exciting program which will bring great made-in-Ontario innovations into classrooms and school boards across the province," says Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO of Ontario Centres of Excellence. "Ontario is already a great place to be a student and a teacher and this program will take our public education system to the next level."

Key objectives of the program include:

• Improving student learning and wellness outcomes, introducing innovative teaching methods, increasing student engagement, improving educator and administrator experience, and providing experiential learning opportunities for students in innovation and entrepreneurship
• Identifying and bridging barriers to sustainable and long-term adoption and procurement of innovation
• Further establishing Ontario as a model for innovative public education and a global leader in edtech (education technology).

With funding from Ontario's Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS), AdvancingEducation is modelled on the successful AdvancingHealth program which supported 10 projects driving innovation in public healthcare.

"Our government is committed to further developing our collaboration with OCE by bringing together public and private sector partners to demonstrate ground breaking products and services,: says David Orazietti, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. "This program will help bring together innovative solutions to the public education sector while also supporting Ontario's economy."

Expressions of interest are now being accepted with selected full proposals due in June. The first round of five successful applications will be announced and begin work in September.

On February 24, OCE will hold a partnering forum to bring together the education sector, industry and academic partners to learn more about the program and foster project collaborations.

More information on the program and on how to register for the forum is available online.

About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. (www.oce-ontario.org)

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario's global competitiveness. OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario's industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, domestic and foreign investors, and government ministries. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices, innovation, entrepreneurship and research, OCE invests in such areas as advanced health, information and communications technology, digital media, advanced materials and manufacturing, agri-food, aerospace, transportation, energy, and the environment including water and mining. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario's Innovation Agenda as a member of the province's Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE), which helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs and industry rapidly grow their company and create jobs. Learn more at www.onebusiness.ca

SOURCE Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc.

Media contact: Stuart Green, Manager, Media Relations, Ontario Centres of Excellence, 416-861-1092 x 1022, [email protected]