Toronto, ON – October 17, 2011 – The Review of Federal Support to Research and Development, launched in October 2010 with a six-member expert panel, today announced recommendations aimed at improving business innovation in Canada. Humber is encouraged by a number of the recommendations, which, if implemented, will be a boost to the efforts of faculty and students who strive to respond to industry’s demand for college applied research and commercialization services.
Among the changes that would impact positively on colleges are the recommendations to create an Industrial Research and Innovation Council, which would concentrate on commercialization support; a funding increase to the Industrial Research Assistance Program; the creation of a national commercialization voucher program; the creation of a navigation or concierge service, providing a one-stop window to all federal programs; and the inclusion of college and polytechnic graduates in future business innovation talent creation programs.
“The Report by the Federal R&D Review Panel clearly indicates that colleges and polytechnics have a vital role to play in helping more Canadian firms to commercialize and to innovate,” said Humber president John Davies.
“Humber is pleased this report recognizes the contributions colleges and polytechnic institutes make to research and development, which will benefit companies of all sizes,” he said. “We hope that the government will move forward on these recommendations in the coming months. In a number of areas, especially in regards to the voucher program, this would increase industry contact with colleges, benefitting Canadian businesses, while also creating more demand for our students and graduates.”
About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
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 22,000 full-time students and 56,000 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. More than four out of five Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies.
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For more information, please contact:
Kevin Gonsalves / Andrew Leopold
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Marketing and Communications
416.675.6622 ext. 5778/4296
kevin.gonsalves@humber.ca / andrew.leopold@humber.ca
