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Sudbury colleges make top 50 research list, Boréal for 1st time

‘Collège Boréal is thrilled to be among the 2022 Top 50 research colleges in Canada’
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Both of Sudbury’s colleges have made the list of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, Collège Boréal for the first time ever.

The list is compiled every year by Re$earch Infosource Inc., which ranks colleges based on such factors as research activity, research revenue generated, and use of student researchers.

The latest ranking covers the 2020-21 fiscal year, the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cambrian placed 36th overall in Canada (however, it ranked 18th the year before in this category). 

Sudbury’s other local college, Collège Boréal, ranked 45th on the list.

“Collège Boréal is thrilled to be among the 2022 Top 50 research colleges in Canada,” said Boréal president Daniel Giroux, in an emailed statement.

“It’s a first for us! Since the launch of our Applied Research Office (Research & Innovation Boréal—RIB) in 2020, the College has collaborated with over 50 academic, industry and community partners on over 40 research projects and initiatives. 

“We’re proud to support innovative projects in a multitude of sectors, from social and community innovation to prototype and product development. Our cutting-edge facilities and our highly qualified and passionate students, staff and faculty are the key to our success, and we wouldn’t be here without them. 

“We recognize and thank our research teams for all the work they’ve accomplished. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of the communities we serve across Ontario through applied research initiatives.”

Cambrian College said that in addition to its 36th overall ranking, the local college also ranked fourth in the country among medium-sized colleges for use of paid student researchers. The college generated $2.7 million dollars in research funding.

Cambrian’s continued inclusion on the list is “amazing news and truly does speak to the strength and dedication of our team here at Cambrian R&D, our applied research division," said Kristine Morrissey, Cambrian’s Vice-President International, Finance & Administration and Applied Research, in a press release.

“During this time, the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shuttered our on-campus applied research activities for most of the year and had a big impact on our industry partners. Despite this, we still achieved a solid result in the rankings and generated some very impressive research income.”

“This ranking speaks to the hard work our team has done to meet the needs of our industry partners and elevate the College’s research capacity and skills,” said Mike Commito, Director of Cambrian R&D. “It shows the confidence that our partners have in Cambrian to entrust us with these projects. It also demonstrates our commitment to provide students with opportunities to work with industry on real-world projects and solutions.”

One of those industry partners is Sofvie Inc., a Sudbury-based technology firm. Sofvie collaborated with Cambrian R&D to investigate how data analytics can enhance the health and safety of employees in the mining industry.

“Working with Cambrian R&D has been an amazing experience and a partnership that really has paid off for everyone involved,” said Gus Minor, Sofvie’s Chief Innovation Officer. “We’re working together, developing and innovating new technologies and technique that are transforming the mining industry. What we’re doing with Cambrian will have a global impact.”

Betina Hodak of Blind River is one of the students who worked with Cambrian R&D on projects with industry partners. She completed her Welding and Fabrication program in 2020 and now works as a Red Seal metal fabricator and welder in Greater Sudbury.

“The opportunity to work in applied research, as a woman in the trades, provided me with the additional hands-on experience that many employers look for in employees,” said Hodak. “It gave me the opportunity to show everyone my practical capabilities outside of school. As well, I have gained a whole new network of contacts that I would not have otherwise.”


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