Tech-Access Canada Welcomes Strong Support for College Applied Research

OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Tech-Access Canada, the national network of Canada's 30 Technology Access Centres (TACs), welcomes Budget 2018 initiatives to support innovation and applied research at Canada's colleges and cégeps.

Specifically, Budget 2018 announced:

• Significant support for collaborative innovation projects through the College and Community Innovation Program.
• Investments in the equipment researchers need through the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
• Help for Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners to develop innovative technologies and successfully commercialize them in a global marketplace through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP).
• A mandate for the Regional Development Agencies to support the Innovation and Skills Plan across all regions of Canada.

"This is a call to action for Technology Access Centres and their affiliated cégeps and colleges to mobilize their facilities and talent to help Canadian SMEs solve innovation challenges to maximize regional economic impact and growth. We'll help these firms become more innovative and productive. Just watch us!" said David Berthiaume, Executive Director of OLEOTEK and Chair of Tech-Access Canada's Advisory Board.

Technology Access Centres are specialized applied R&D centres affiliated with Canadian colleges or cégeps. Demand-driven TACs help Canadian businesses – especially SMEs – advance their products, processes and services by:

• conducting applied research and development projects focused on company problems;
• offering specialized technical services and objective advice; and
• providing training related to new types of equipment and processes.

According to Dr. Nathalie Méthot, Manager, Office of Applied Research and Innovation, La Cité and Vice-Chair of Tech-Access Canada's Advisory Board, "Applied research at Technology Access Centres and their affiliated cégeps and colleges is complementary to the world-class discovery research taking place at Canadian universities. A strong, competent network of college applied research across the country provides even more inter-institutional partnership opportunities between colleges and universities."

Tech-Access Canada is the national network of Canada's 30 Technology Access Centres (TACs). The network enables the TACs to serve any company, anywhere in Canada, and help them access the expertise, equipment, and facilities they need to solve their innovation challenges. The network's members provide clients and partners from across Canada with access to:

• expertise and experience of over 1,000 business innovation and applied R&D experts;
• over 2.4 million square feet of innovation and applied research space; and
• over $250 million worth of highly-specialized equipment and facilities.

"By design, colleges and cégeps are institutions of inclusion, with very diverse student populations in all corners of the country. Investments in Technology Access Centres and college applied research are a strong sign that innovation is accessible to everyone." said Ken Doyle, Executive Director of Tech-Access Canada.

Based in Ottawa, Tech-Access Canada facilitates the sharing of best practices between member TACs; works to harmonize service models across regions; and promotes college applied research to external audiences.  

www.MeetTheTACs.ca

SOURCE Tech-Access Canada

Michelle Thomson, Director, External Relations, Tech-Access Canada, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected], Twitter: @TechAccessCDA, 116 Albert St., Suite 300 | Ottawa, Ontario | K1P 5G3