SUPPLIED
Denise Amyot, President and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada
Enabling a future-ready Canada requires dedicated efforts for advancing an inclusive and sustainable economy. With over 95 per cent of Canadians living within 50 kilometres of a college or institute, these post-secondary institutions are ideally placed for supporting communities through the challenges ahead.
With extensive industry and community connections, Canadian colleges and institutes are a key element for taking innovation from idea to impact. In 2019-20, for example, they were involved in over 8,000 research partnerships, generating over 5,500 innovations, including new processes, products, prototypes and services, approximately 85 per cent of which were completed in less than one year. This kind of rapid innovation capacity will be more important than ever as businesses have to adapt to new circumstances.
For thousands of SMEs, colleges and institutes provide a gateway to the innovation ecosystem.
Colleges and institutes are sought-after partners for community stakeholders, and especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often lack the capacity, equipment and networks to undertake the kind of research and development that would help to drive their business forward. For thousands of SMEs, colleges and institutes provide a gateway to the innovation ecosystem.
By working together – in collaboration with industry, government, community and academia – we can unlock the powerful potential of research and innovation, and leverage it for the good of Canadian communities.
Advertising feature produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.