Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

As part of a Canadian-wide strategy, Camosun College is looking to become British Columbia's Center of Excellence for applied research, practitioner-based innovation and integration, and for technology access and transfer. Camosun is currently building a strong capacity to deliver manufacturing and prototyping service to local industry through VICAMP (Vancouver Island Centre Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping) and sports innovation and development with SPIN (Sports Innovation Centre). Part of their strategy is to help local companies and communities innovate by providing technical services and synergistic collaborations including advance manufacturing and prototyping, technology development projects (green sustainable building products and practices), and research advice on specific challenges. Camosun is continuously working towards extending its successful formula exhibited by VICAMP and SPIN for building capacity in applied research and innovation and transferring this to other disciplines in the College. In particular, the current competition afforded by the Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants will allow Camosun to purchase modern laboratory equipment, qPCR and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, in order to expand its capabilities in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology. This advanced equipment will allow Camosun to work more closely with industry to help support its research and development. For example, method comparison and validation studies are expensive to carry out with no guarantee the instrument will offer an improvement. Also, the training required on new equipment adds to the difficulty and increases the costs when investing in technology. To address these concerns Camosun will offer industry expertise and access to advanced equipment to support its continued innovation.