Minister of Research and Innovation announces new Collaboration Voucher Program

Sheridan’s digital media research and training facility welcomed the Honourable Reza Moridi for launch of new industry-academic partnerships program

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2013
Oakville, ON

The Honourable Reza Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation, was at Sheridan’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) at Pinewood Toronto Studios today to launch Ontario’s new Collaboration Voucher Program Under the program, eligible companies can apply for vouchers for accessing expertise and other resources at Ontario academic and research institutions.

Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO of the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), joined the Minister in announcing the new voucher program, which the OCE will deliver on behalf of the Province of Ontario. The announcement was preceded by technology demonstrations by SIRT researchers with industry partner Cinema Suite, showcasing the results of a cutting-edge partnership that has helped the Oakville-based company enhance their 3D previsualization tool for filmmakers through game-engine technology. This partnership was nurtured by HalTech and OCE – both members of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs.

“Our government is committed to promoting collaboration among our innovation partners to address global challenges, create jobs and help Ontario’s businesses get ahead," said Minister Moridi. “By connecting Ontario companies with our world-leading researchers and academic resources, the Collaboration Voucher program will help our businesses become more innovative, productive and competitive.”

“The SIRT Centre is the perfect setting to highlight the success of innovative industry-academic partnerships, and we are honoured to support the Province of Ontario and the Ontario Centres of Excellence for the launch of the new Collaboration Voucher program,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, Sheridan College President and CEO.

Thanks to a recent $1.75 million award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), SIRT will now become Ontario’s first digital media-focused Technology Access Centre (TAC). Through the new TAC, Sheridan will be able to offer more robust and specialized innovation support services sought particularly by small-to-medium-sized enterprises within the film, television, and interactive media sectors.

About SIRT:

The Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) is an applied research centre established by Sheridan College in 2010 at Pinewood Toronto Studios in the east end of Toronto. It’s dedicated to fostering collaborative innovation in Ontario’s film, gaming and television industries. SIRT works with industry, academic, and government partners to conduct collaborative research and provide Ontario’s professionals the training needed to build the province’s competitive advantage in the screen-based entertainment industries.