Red Deer Polytechnic will continue to collaborate with the Universities of Alberta and Calgary thanks to $800,000 of funding through the provincial government’s Major Innovation Fund.
The Government of Alberta will provide this funding through the next four years to accelerate research and commercialization, RDP stated in a media release this week.
“We’re enthusiastic and eager to be collaborating with other post-secondary institutions to solve industry challenges in the medical devices, clean energy, and space and defence sectors,” said Dr. Tonya Wolfe, associate vice-president of applied research.
“Our team is focused on applying the state-of-the-art equipment and hands-on experience we have at Red Deer Polytechnic to commercialize new technologies in order to strengthen and diversify the economy. Cross-functional collaboration creates exciting outcomes, and industry will benefit by having researchers from universities, polytechnics, and colleges working together.”
RDP is involved in three of the four areas of projects that the Major Innovation Fund focuses on.
- Clean Energy: applied researchers from RDP’s Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) will be collaborating with U of A in Resilient and Clean Energy Systems. The team will support the university’s research with its rapid validation technology and information gained from the EIC’s Data Sharing Alliance.
- Medical Device Innovation: led by the U of C under medical devices theme (MEDICO), RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) will provide expertise to find solutions to fill the gap between clinicians and commercialization.
- Space and Defence Technologies: using the advanced additive manufacturing technology housed on campus, CIM-TAC will be assisting U of A researchers in the development of novel materials for the defence industry.
Stuart Cullum, RDP president, said those at the post-secondary institution are excited about the government’s investment in Alberta’s research and innovation priorities.
“Alberta’s polytechnics provide critical applied research capacity and industry relationships,” said Cullum.
“The investment directed toward Red Deer Polytechnic, facilitated through the MIF program, supports our collaboration with partner institutions and ensures that we are all contributing more to the growth and diversification of Alberta’s economy.”
During 2022, 73 projects were initiated in the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing for 57 companies and RDP staff conducted more than 1,300 engagements with industry representatives.
Send your news tips
Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter
