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News and Events Archived News
College gets R&D boost
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By SHAWN JEFFORDS, THE OBSERVER
Posted October 22, 2010
Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson said Friday the college will get $230,000, part of the government's $15-million Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative. The cash will help bolster area businesses that lack the capacity to do their own research and development, Davidson said.
"This provides hope. Now, instead of having nowhere to go for research and development unless you're a large multinational ... the help is now there."
President Tony Hanlon said the college has already been contacted by two businesses looking to forge partnerships. Officials will evaluate every proposal and decide whether to proceed, he said.
"If a business has an idea they want to get developed and they don't have the manpower or the research dollars we can now do that."
Hanlon said that could include product development, testing and commercialization, and could lead to additional hiring at the college.
Lambton will concentrate on research on advanced materials, renewable energy, process manufacturing, waste water management and fire sciences fields, Hanlon said.
The faculty are eager to get started, said Maike Luiken, dean of applied research, business development and sustainable development.
"It's really immeasurable in terms of the benefits to the students," she said.
"The opportunities for employment after they've worked on such a project are way different ... It's a real-life situation and you take that experience with you after you graduate."
