Olds College of Agriculture & Technology president Ben Cecil wants more federal funding to support college research activities.
Cecil delivered his message straight to the federal government’s Standing Committee on Scientific Research on Tuesday.
Cecil said colleges play a critical role in advancing research and innovation within their local communities and industries and he called for equitable funding.
“Colleges are essential hubs of innovation, driving economic growth and job creation through applied research. However, the current distribution of federal research funding does not adequately recognize the impactful contributions made by colleges like Olds College,” Cecil told the committee.
“It’s time for a fundamental shift to ensure equitable support for all players in the research ecosystem.”
He said colleges have consistently demonstrated their ability to deliver real-world solutions to pressing challenges faced by Canadians, and outlined three key areas for reform: equity, eligibility and impact.
He proposed greater flexibility in funding programs to accommodate the unique needs and capabilities of college research initiatives, and stressed the importance of measuring research impact based on metrics that matter most to Canadians, such as economic growth, job creation and affordability.
Cecil recommended funding be increased and to measure key metrics over the coming years.
“By reallocating federal research funding to colleges and measuring impact on tangible outcomes, we can unleash the full potential of Canada’s research ecosystem. Olds College stands ready to lead the charge in transforming agriculture and driving sustainable innovation.”
In 2018, Olds College unveiled its Smart Farm to give students a chance to work with both the agriculture and technology sectors in optimizing innovation and research. It has grown to 3,600 acres for crop and forage production in six different geographic locations across two provinces, and includes a 1,000-head capacity feedlot, a commercial cow/calf herd, a purebred Red Angus herd, and a sheep flock.
Olds College says equitable federal funding resonates not only at post-secondaries, but among industry partners and communities.
Recently the province put forward the Provincial Priorities Act so that any entity that is regulated by the province would not be allowed to enter, renew or extend a deal with Ottawa without approval from the province.
It would apply to provincial bodies including municipalities, post-secondary schools, school boards, health authorities and other Crown-controlled organizations.
In a statement, Alberta’s Advanced Education Ministry said the act will ensure that the federal government works with the province to provide fair, per capita funding, and that the province is committed to working with post-secondary institutions, including Olds College, to develop a process to review federal funding.
“We recognize the critical role colleges play in our job market and communities of all sizes across the province. To support colleges and opportunities for students, Budget 2024 invests an additional $24 million per year over the next three years to create 3,200 apprenticeship seats at 11 post-secondary institutions across the province, and continues an historic expansion of more than 12,500 seats in high-demand post-secondary programs, with a total investment of more than $225 million.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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