University preparing students for the jobs in technologically-advanced fields
April 15, 2019 - Sydney, NS - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Bringing academic research facilities and businesses together to find innovative solutions to industry challenges is key to generating income, spurring growth and making lasting impacts on the Atlantic Canadian economy. Cape Breton University is taking steps to ensure its students are equipped to use the new technology necessary to work in existing and emerging industries.
Cape Breton University will incorporate tailored robotics platforms with architecture applications into its curriculum, which will benefit students in the facility's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs. The new equipment will also enable businesses to explore incorporating automation into existing advanced manufacturing processes to improve their competiveness. This project builds on the relationships between academia and business that translate into new ideas, bringing Atlantic Canada to the leading edge of innovation.
Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Workplace Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton - Canso, announced federal support for this project on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The Government of Canada is making smart investments that will help Canadians get good, middle-class jobs in our country. It is also helping small and medium-sized businesses to start-up, expand or modernize and supporting not-for-profit organizations to fuel business growth. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
"Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. Today's investment in Cape Breton University is building on our competitive advantages by capitalizing on opportunities to better prepare both students and entrepreneurs to succeed in the technology-driven global economy, to boost economic growth and create good, middle class jobs for Canadians."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"A thriving innovation ecosystem is imperative to build on Atlantic Canada's competitive advantages to expand and diversify our economy. This partnership between Cape Breton University and the business community is an important step in meeting the labour needs of businesses that increasingly rely on a skilled workforce to expand into new and emerging markets."
- Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton - Canso
"Ensuring that our students, and our community, have access to state-of-the-art equipment is crucial to the educational experience provided by Cape Breton University. This funding will further allow us to create graduates who are solution-oriented, problem solvers and fulfill our purpose of supporting our students, but also strengthen our connection to the business community through enhanced technology with the purpose of growing the economy."
- David Dingwall, Presdient, Cape Breton University
"The acquisition of this equipment will enable our students to attain an advanced level of applied robotics and automation training that will prepare them very well to contribute significantly in the most innovative and challenging of technological and engineering workplaces in Canada."
- Paul Standing, Chair of Engineering, Cape Breton University
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada invested $318,750 in this project through ACOA's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
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Cape Breton University, currently home to approximately 3,500 students, is purchasing robotic research platforms with advanced manufacturing and processing simulator capabilities, which includes unmanned ground vehicles and a remotely operated submersible vehicle, as well as an industrial robot and automation training system featuring several manufacturing processes.
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Applications for the unmanned ground vehicles include mapping capabilities, development of vehicle programming, and automated monitoring tasks such as security services.
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The submersible remotely operated vehicle is capable of operating to depths of 300 meters for up to six hours,will enable inspection of marine infrastructure and provide access to vital information of aquatic environments for academic and commercial purposes.
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The automated business training system and industrial robots can simulate production processes including planning, assembling, programming and servicing activities. This equipment will also serve as a valuable resource for teaching Programmable Logic Control (PLC) principles to students in STEM programs, and support collaborative ventures with local manufacturers.
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This will help companies interested in optimizing manufacturing processes and specialized training opportunities for employees.
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Other business applications for the equipment include land assessment practices and drone photography.
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The Regional Innovation Ecosystems stream of the REGI program supports the creation and growth of inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs and fosters an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth and competitiveness.
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The REGI program continues to build on the objectives of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan.
