Tanya McDonald, Olds College School of Innovation, accepts a 2009 award for biodiesel research
Olds College welcomes the federal Government’s 2010 Budget and, in particular, appreciates its recognition of the roles Canada’s colleges and polytechnic institutions play in applied research and commercialization activities. This statement of support indicates the continuation of funding that has already greatly benefitted the College and its partners.
“Olds College was the grateful recipient of $8.3 million in funding support from the Government of Canada in Budget 2009,” says Dr. Tom Thompson, President of Olds College. “I wish to publicly and sincerely thank our MP, Blake Richards, for the leadership role he played in helping us secure that support.”
The College is pleased to see that Budget 2010 commits $1.9 Billion in post secondary education, infrastructure, research and innovation, and environmental innovation. This includes support for broadband internet connectivity into rural areas. Already immersed in the development of such technology, the College and its partners in the Community Learning Campus’ Bell e-Learning Centre connect with an ever-growing network of Community Engagement Sites throughout rural Alberta.
The budget also includes money for deferred maintenance initiatives. This is of great value to Olds College which, less than three years away from its 100th anniversary has aging facilities.
Olds College is also enthusiastic about the doubling of the budget for the College and Community Innovation Program (CCIP), demonstrating that the practical, applied research conducted by colleges is as important as the more traditional “empirical research” done by universities. The College is dedicated to exemplifying this point, assisted by industry and advocacy groups such as the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and Polytechnics Canada.
Examples of CCIP-funded projects include ongoing biodiesel research within the Olds College School of Innovation. The College is currently partnering with Calgary’s Fame Biorefinery for ongoing proof-of-concept research on the use of distressed (non-food) canola for biodiesel.
“The federal government appears to clearly understand the role colleges like ours play in providing the education and training that will drive our economy forward,” says Thompson. “The ‘Knowledge Advantage’ is one of the 5 high-level pillars that form the basis of all of the Government of Canada’s decision making and planning. This is very refreshing and encouraging to see.”
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