First NSERC award extends College’s capacity to facilitate students’ real-world research experiences
Belleville, Ontario, March 2, 2015 – Loyalist College is pleased to announce that its Manufacturing Engineering Technician program will collaborate with the County Cider Company on an applied learning project this semester. Students and faculty will work closely with the local cider producer to evaluate their machining operations and recommend process improvements to increase productivity and flexibility. The initiative, which enables students to put their design skills to work, is made possible by an approved grant from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), as well as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), marking the College’s first NSERC award.
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“Ontario Centres of Excellence is pleased to be able to support this innovative industry-academic partnership through our Voucher for Innovation and Productivity. This collaboration will allow the Country Cider Company to improve its efficiency and competitiveness while giving Loyalist students practical experience with real-word problem solving.” – Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO, Ontario Centres of Excellence
“Through this important grant, our Manufacturing Engineering students will gain real world experience. Working closely with the County Cider Company, they will address complex business challenges, design a streamlined manufacturing process, and learn how their automated solutions can impact the bottom line. In helping a local start-up to become more competitive, students will also be engaged in supporting the local community.” – Loyalist College President and CEO Maureen Piercy
“We at County Cider are thrilled to be part of this project and work in alliance with the students and faculty at Loyalist College. These students will bring a fresh new look at some problems we are having in our production areas. We look forward to their input and assistance in coming up with some innovative ways for us to expand and become a Lean Manufacturing facility. Moving forward we see this as an excellent way to help the students gain valuable work experience and for our company to gain access to the pool of potential employees that we will be looking to hire in the near future.” – 2009 Loyalist College Biotechnology Technician graduate Dannielle Davidson, Production Manager & Cider Maker, County Cider Company
“Applied research and innovation activities engage industry partners like County Cider while creating amazing experiential learning opportunities for students and faculty. Receiving this first award from NSERC opens the door to additional research and development opportunities, which will benefit the Quinte region.” – Ann Drennan, Loyalist College Dean of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology
About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Internationally renowned for its enriched student learning and living experiences, Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior success services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and more than 500 online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. (www.oce-ontario.org):
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario’s global competitiveness. OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario’s industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, domestic and foreign investors, and government ministries. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices, innovation, entrepreneurship and research, OCE invests in such areas as advanced health, information and communications technology, digital media, advanced materials and manufacturing, agri-food, aerospace, transportation, energy, and the environment including water and mining. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario’s Innovation Agenda as a member of the province’s Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE), which helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs and industry rapidly grow their company and create jobs. Learn more at www.onebusiness.ca
About the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
NSERC is the primary funding agency supporting Canada’s science and engineering research community. The agency supports almost 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding approximately 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by working with over 3,000 Canadian companies that are participating and investing in post-secondary research projects. www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca
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Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations,
Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2235; email: dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca