Research and Development at Canadian Colleges and Institutes

1
Research and Development at Canadian Colleges and
Institutes
2
Acknowledgements Sir Sandford Fleming
College ACCC Red Deer College Canadian
Colleges/Institutes
3
Innovation The process through which commercial
concepts are developed into marketable products
services and processes(Industry Canada)
4
The Innovation Process
Basic Research
Proof of Concept Prototype
Commercial Concept
Applied Research
Process / Production Engineering
Mass Production Customization
Initial Production Market Development

5
The Innovation Process
Basic Research
Research Push
Proof of Concept Prototype
Commercial Concept
Applied Research
Market Pull and Practitioner Driven

Initial Production Market Development
Process / Production Engineering

Mass Production Customization
6
The Innovation Process
Basic Research
Proof of Concept Prototype
Commercial Concept
Applied Research
COLLEGES/INSTITUTES USUALLY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
INDUSTRY OFTEN SMEs
Initial Production Market Development
Process / Production Engineering

Mass Production Customization
7
Motivation

• Support the local/regional community
• Private sector
• Public sector
• Original mandate
• Degree mandate
• Credibility
• Professional development
• Support student learning

8
1) No Formal Policies Structure

• Characteristics
• May not have as yet decided to pursue Innovation
  activities or decided it is not part of mandate
• No formal related policies
• No director of research

9
1) No Formal Policies Structure

• May involve
• Project based academic delivery
• Internship/placement with potential employers
• Research and development activities associated
  with the graduate studies of faculty/staff
• Side of Desk activities
• Custom training that supports business innovation

10
2) Novice R/D Institutions

• Characteristics
• Senior administration support required
• Development of initial research/development
  policies practices to be in compliance with
  funding sources
• Development of ad hoc administrative systems
  (fiscal/human resources)
• Part time director of research often reporting to
  the VP Academic/Education
• Community analysis to define the focus of
  research/development activities
• Business supports not linked to R/D activities

11
2) Novice R/D Institutions

• R/D Activities
• Faculty released to perform/supervise activities
  
• Focus is short term projects with a limited
  number scope of activities often with in a
  pilot context

12
2) Novice R/D Institutions

• Issues
• Cultural conflict
• Lack of support systems
• Often lack of institutional buy-in
• Much institutional learning frustration
• Short term research projects may not be
  sustainable
• Often are capital rich and operating poor

13
3) Established R/D Institutions

• Characteristics
• Comprehensive R/D policies practices
  implemented
• Human resource practices established positions
  become more stable
• Fiscal management reporting systems implemented
• The Director of Research reports to a VP
  depending on model
• Service and academic departments value support
  these activities
• Facilities equipment are established but may
  need renewal

14
3) Established R/D Institutions

• R/D activities
• Multiple role R/D teams focused activities in
  response to receptor needs
• Funding and activities involve sophisticated
  public/private sector partnerships that provide
  funding for operations
• Greater focus on longer term programs rather than
  short term projects
• Activities range beyond local businesses
• Some integration of business supports

15
3) Established R/D

• Issues
• Need to expand administrative infrastructure
• Need to maintain upgrade capital facilities
  equipment

16
4) Integrated R/D Institutions

• Characteristics/activities
• Integration of business supports involving
  increasing receptor capacity, incubator or
  accelerator facilities
• Potentially involves the development of business
  parks related to the strengths of the
  organization
• Activities are regional/national/international

17
Funding Sources

• Private Sector
• CFI
• NSERC (University CCPPIPMP)
• NRC-IRAP
• SSHRC
• Industry Canada
• Other Federal Departments
• Provincial Programs

18
RecommendationsFunding Agencies

• Support researcher salaries
• Adjudication criteria should recognize the
  outputs of innovation activities
• Recognize the role of innovation at
  college/institutes has in support of student
  learning
• Adjudication process should focus on the merits
  of the proposal and less so on researcher history
• Support R/D administration particularly in
  smaller institutions
• Support infrastructure renewal
• Support networking

19
RecommendationsColleges/Institutes

• Network
• Workshops, mentoring, IPMP
• Industry technology transfer organizations
• Publicize successes and capacities
• Local community, industry, tech transfer
  organizations
• Funding agencies
• Association resources