Sheridan College and Durham College receive funding to support Canadian media industry SMEs

 

Sheridan College (Sheridan) and Durham College (DC), with support of up to $100,000 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), are pleased to announce that they will undertake university-industry projects by sharing their applied research centre services and by providing expert time to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Canadian media industry. The contribution from NRC IRAP will help support projects with up to 10 high potential, growth-oriented companies who are aiming to develop media production workflows.

Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) at Sheridan College Pinewood Toronto Studios, in partnership with the Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) Studio at Durham College will lead applied research and development projects with industry clients to help fuel the growth of Canada’s media industry by assisting SMEs in conducting the feasibility to create media content workflows, offering technical expertise and proof of concept for the inclusion of advanced technologies in the creation of media.

The colleges’ joint offering includes an integrated suite of the following technologies, all powered by leading-edge infrastructure technologies such as 5G and SIRTNET:

• Live performance tools for content creation using the film development kits for integration of all aspects of content creation.
• Virtual production techniques allowing content creators to plan, imagine, or complete a filmic element with the aid of digital tools to simplify content generation workflows.
• Integration of digital techniques such as AI, special sound effects and immersive experience using AR/VR techniques across all platforms.
• High-fidelity virtual human creation and aggregation to maximize productivity for content generation across all platforms.
• Access to Multi-National Enterprise (MNE) technologies such as leading-edge processor and graphics platforms from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

The SIRT Centre and the MRC Studio and are recognized for their demonstrated track records of success assisting SMEs with the development of proof of concepts in a variety of content generation projects. Sheridan and DC will use the funding to enable SMEs from coast to coast to gain technical skills, adopt new technology, commercialize innovations, create jobs and increase revenues within a globally competitive market.

QUOTES

“The resources invested into the design and construction of the Mixed Realty Capture Studio is a tremendous asset to Durham College in the way that it enables our academic programs to train students by augmenting classroom learning and making them job-ready. This funding from NRC IRAP will allow us to expand our integration and impact on industry by supporting businesses as they implement mixed-reality capabilities into their content creation, all while giving our students more opportunities for experiential learning.”

Debbie McKee Demczyk, Dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, DC

“Research is an integral part of Sheridan’s identity. We’re committed to providing research that is relevant and innovative to our partners and the communities we serve. With the funding from NRC IRAP, Sheridan’s renowned SIRT Centre will carry on that tradition by continuing to provide the necessary infrastructure and research expertise in the development of new technology and processes that Canadian companies in the screen industries are looking for. We’re really thankful for this funding and partnership with Durham.”

Dr. Vicki Mowat, Director, Research, Sheridan College

About Durham College

With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 13,400 full-time students access to more than 140 post-secondary programs , including the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, and nine apprenticeship programs.

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by offering an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by experienced faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

At the Oshawa campus, the Centre for Collaborative Education brings together local, Indigenous and global communities, featuring the Durham College Spa, Global Classroom and interprofessional simulation and anatomy labs. The campus is also home to several of the college’s applied research centres, including the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation and Mixed Reality Capture Studio. Additionally, the flexible, fully automated, and industrial-grade Integrated Manufacturing Centre serves as a model of the new standards in education in advanced manufacturing, mechatronics and engineering.

At DC’s Whitby campus, construction has begun on the new Skills Training Centre. Designed to shine a spotlight on skilled trades training, innovation and education, this building will expand the college’s capacity to provide students with hands-on training, access to simulators and other forms of instruction in shop labs for carpentry, HVAC, welding, elevating devices, crane operation, automotive, millwright and plumbing, among others.

The campus also features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes the award-winning Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food grown and prepared by students in the college’s horticulture, culinary and cook apprenticeship programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About Sheridan College and the Screen Industries Research and Training (SIRT) Centre

One of Ontario’s leading post-secondary institutions, Sheridan educates approximately 23,000 full-time and 20,000 continuing and part-time studies students every year, on three campuses in Oakville, Brampton and Mississauga. We are proud to be leaders in innovation, creativity and applied learning, attracting students from across Canada and around the world. Sheridan’s 185,000 alumni play a critical role in shaping the future of our society in the fields of arts, business, community service, health, technology, and the skilled trades.

Sheridan’s research is focused on creating unique opportunities for our faculty, staff and students to work directly with our industry and community partners to address real-world challenges that strengthen our communities and develop the leaders of tomorrow.

SIRT Centre is one of Sheridan’s six renowned Research and Incubation Centres and supports innovation in Ontario’s film, television and interactive media cluster through applied research, access to cutting-edge technology and a 10,000 sq. ft. innovation centre at Pinewood Toronto Studios. A government-funded Technology Access Centre (TAC), SIRT’s unique capacity through trusted partnerships with key industry organizations and technology leaders facilitates innovations within digital cinema, virtual and augmented reality, interactive media and artificial intelligence. Visit sirtcentre.com for more information.

To learn more about Sheridan and our Research and Incubation Centres, please visit research.sheridancollege.ca.

For more information, contact:

Melissa McLean

Communications and Marketing

Durham College

647.880.6363
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca

Debbie Silva

Research Communications

Sheridan College

905-845-2321
debbie.silva@sheridancollege.ca