The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has announced that Mohawk College is receiving $2.85 million for five research projects.
The funding will help connect the college with small and medium-sized companies in Hamilton to work together on applied research projects to develop new products and technologies.
“We are grateful to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for its generous support,” Ron McKerlie, president of Mohawk College, said in a statement released on Tuesday.
“Mohawk is one of Canada’s top-ranked research colleges and this funding helps to support us in our mission to educate and prepare highly skilled graduates for success in the workforce. This announcement allows us to intensify our engagement with social agencies and local employers as we work together to support a strong and healthy community.”
The funding is part of NSERC’s total investment of over $76 million for 128 new applied research projects that will help provide innovative solutions for local and regional business challenges through the expertise of Canadian colleges, CÉGEPs and polytechnics.
“Mohawk College is one of Canada’s leading colleges and a source of great pride in the Hamilton community,” said Labour Minister Filomena Tassi, Liberal MP for Hamilton-West Ancaster Dundas. “The funding announced today not only recognizes the crucial role Mohawk College holds in the area of applied research, but will also strengthen their ability to continue producing highly skilled graduates ready to meet the rapidly shifting needs of employers.”
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Alejandro Adem, the president of NSERC, said the R&D collaborations would contribute to job creation.
“Colleges play a pivotal and unique role within their communities by providing cutting-edge applied research expertise and state-of-the-art facilities that drive local innovation,” said Alejandro Adem, president of NSERC. “These R&D collaborations contribute not only to the development and commercialization of new products and services for Canadians, but also the creation of new quality jobs and valuable training experience for our future generation of workers.”
The awarded Mohawk College projects, according to the press release: are:
Energy and power technology access centre – The Energy and Power Innovation Centre (EPIC) at Mohawk College will expand its services as a technology access centre. The TAC will focus its support on the agri-food sector to address energy and other resource challenges and help food and beverage companies in the Golden Horseshoe Region reduce their costs and environmental footprint. The agri-food sector has a particular interest in energy conservation and efficiency measures because over 66 per cent of its energy consumption is used in operations that do not add value to the product. TAC funding – $1,750,000
City School employer demand-led research – City School will research the impact of employer-designed career access programs in improving outcomes for under-served communities. This research project will examine City School participant perceptions concerning life-long learning throughout the program; how the programs affect local employers’ perceptions about these non-traditional recruitment strategies and populations; and evaluate how well employer engagement addresses the barriers faced by marginalized communities. CCSIF – $360,000
City School Wellness Connect – The College Student Success Innovation Centre (CSSIC) and Mohawk’s Future Ready Premium Program are developing a first-of-its-kind intervention that will help translate employer skills expectations to impact college curriculum. Researchers, employer partners, faculty and students will collaborate to develop interactive, workplace simulations delivered within an artificial intelligence platform, allowing for the improvement and assessment of 21st-century skills within real-world workplace scenarios. CCSIF – $359,803
Future Ready Skills Translator – CSSIC and Future Ready Premium Program are developing the Future Ready Skills Translator, a first-of-its-kind intervention that will help translate employer skills expectations to influence college curriculum. CSSIC will work with researchers, employer partners, faculty and students to develop workplace scenarios and skills profiles in order to create interactive, workplace simulations, delivered within an artificial intelligence platform. CCSIF – $232,746
Operational Technology Monitoring and Testing System – EPIC at Mohawk College will acquire a communication network emulator for its Operational Technology system to expand its ability to cost-effectively replicate energy networks to allow for the testing of cyber security threats and events. This system will expand the demonstration, testing and training platform at the Centre’s decommissioned substation in downtown Hamilton, where utilities, engineering firms and industry partners are able to more safely implement new technology in the area of electrical protection and control. ARTI grant – $149,145