Sheridan Ranks First in Ontario for Applied Research

Study identifies top 50 research colleges in Canada

For Immediate Release: October 24, 2013
Oakville, Ontario

Sheridan College ranks first in Ontario and sixth in Canada for applied research, according to a ranking published by Research Infosource Inc. The list outlines the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada by total research income. See http://www.researchinfosource.com/top50_col.php for the complete list.

Spurring Innovation and Solutions to Real-World Problems

“Applied research helps to advance the innovation goals of our local communities, our province and our country,” says Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President and CEO of Sheridan College. “At a time when success is increasingly tied to innovation, colleges have a tremendous role to play in addressing real-world challenges faced by business and creating practical solutions to better our quality of life.”

Sheridan’s Research Centres of Excellence

In 2012-13, Sheridan students and faculty members were involved in over 85 applied research projects which supported more than 73 organizations. Three areas of Sheridan saw the greatest amount of activity --- the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT), the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC) and the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies (CAMDT).

SIRT supports Ontario’s film, television and interactive media cluster with research and training related to digital workflow technologies and processes including virtual production/performance capture, stereoscopic 3D (S3D) and high frame rate (HFR) cinema.

SERC creates innovative strategies that result from applied research conducted at Sheridan to improve the quality of life for older adults and their families. Several of its projects have included the use of technology to enhance cognition and support aging in place, examining how creative writing and dance promotes healthy aging, and connecting business and industry leaders through a networking series to exchange resources and best practices.

Students from mechanical and electronics engineering as well as architectural technology programs are involved in applied research projects at CAMDT. State-of-the-art 3D printing machinery has allowed for the creation of advanced functional prototypes, manufacturing tools, jigs and fixtures, and end use parts. Additional research areas include sustainable energy systems, plant layout/efficiency, rapid prototyping, and robotics and flexible manufacturing systems.

Integrating Applied Research Across our Programs

In 2012/13, there were another 106 applied research projects directly tied to the curriculum, many of them in the form of capstone projects for advanced diploma and degree programs. “As we progress on our journey from a highly respected college to a world-class undergraduate teaching university, applied research will become increasingly important,” notes Dr. Mary Preece, Provost and Vice President, Academic at Sheridan. “Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and external partners and to apply classroom knowledge to real world problems that are directly relevant to their chosen fields of study.”

Dr. Darren Lawless, Dean of Undergraduate Research at Sheridan adds, “None of this would be possible without the tremendous support Sheridan has received from federal and provincial government funding bodies, agencies that support innovation, industrial research and economic development, as well as companies that invest in the work done at Sheridan. These partnerships enable Sheridan to provide the people, ideas, equipment and facilities that ultimately help small and medium sized businesses advance their products and processes. By involving students in the projects, we also ensure that they become conduits that will transfer invaluable knowledge and experience to industry and society upon graduation.”

About Sheridan

Sheridan is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions, offering over 100 diploma, certificate, and bachelor degree programs in an environment that fosters innovation and creativity. Its aim is to become Ontario’s first university exclusively dedicated to undergraduate professional education – one that will be based on applied learning. The model also focuses on meeting university accreditation requirements so that Sheridan graduates have more pathways to the continued learning that will underscore their personal, career, and industry success.

For more information or to arrange interview opportunities, please contact:

Christine Szustaczek

Director of Corporate Communications & External Relations, Sheridan College

Tel: 905-815-4169

Email: christine.szustaczek@sheridancollege.ca