NBCC is celebrating a decade of enriched learning, community problem-solving, and industry support as its Applied Research and Innovation (ARI) department turns 10.
Throughout 2022, NBCC is welcoming community and industry partners to join with NBCC staff and alumni to recognize the past successes and future growth of ARI, which utilizes NBCC expertise, tools, and facilities to help solve technical and business problems, take advantage of market opportunities, and develop new technology and processes.
“Over the last 10 years, 2,600 NBCC students and staff have been engaged in applied research projects that have advanced solutions for hundreds of businesses and community organizations,” said Mary Butler, President and CEO of NBCC. “From cybersecurity to healthy aging in place for seniors, applied research at NBCC has contributed significantly to the economic and social wellbeing of New Brunswick.”
2012-13:
The Applied Research & Innovation (ARI) office is founded. The unit consisted of two staff, including its Director, Dr. Diane Burt.
2013-14:
The Mobile First Technology Initiative (MFTI), led by Dr. William McIver, Jr., is launched. MFTI was among the first nine Canadian college research centres to be funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Industrial Research Chair for Colleges program. This award demonstrates NBCC’s status as a regional leader in applied research for the IT sector.
NBCC hosts its inaugural Applied Research Summer Institute – a unique professional development and networking opportunity for College employees and stakeholders.
2014-15:
ARI surpasses $500,000 in research grant funding awarded.
2015-16:
The College & Community Social Innovation Fund supports a three-year applied research project led by Practical Nurse instructor Stephanie Ruckstuhl. The project focused on peer mentorship and role modelling, exemplifying the College’s commitment to enriching the student experience through applied research. This is NBCC’s first research project supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
2016-17:
NBCC exceeds 100 documented applied research projects.
2017-18:
NSERC funding is awarded to deliver technology-themed summer programming to youth in disadvantaged communities and groups that are under-represented in STEM fields. The summer camps have proven very successful, strengthening relationships with our communities and continuing to present day.
The 1,000th NBCC student takes part in an applied research project.
2018-19:
MFTI is renewed by NSERC for a second five-year term, in recognition of its value to regional industry and community partners. It is renamed the Centre for Applied Research in Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing (MAUC).
Funding from NSERC and the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) is awarded to expand MFTI’s research services capabilities to include a User Experience (UX) Lab at NBCC’s Fredericton campus.
A project focused on student-led pulmonary rehabilitation clinics is approved for funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). NBCC has now been recognized by all three Government of Canada research funding agencies.
NBCC is among the first five colleges/institutes nationwide approved for Mitacs Accelerate student internship funding.
NBCC exceeds $1,000,000 in awarded research grant funding for the first time.
2019-20:
NBCC Entrepreneurship joins ARI, reflecting the strong alignment between the teams.
NSERC funds equipment for NBCC’s Culinary Arts program in St. Andrews, in support of applied research in value-added food and student experiential learning.
2020-21:
The Research, Innovation & Experiential Education (RIE2) department is formed, consisting of ARI, MAUC, Entrepreneurship, Teaching & Learning Innovation, and the Robertson Institute for Community Leadership. RIE2 is a natural progression of the College’s emphasis on experiential learning as part of the NBCC Advantage.
The Critical Infrastructure Security Operations Centre (CI-SOC) is established in Saint John, enhancing capacity for cybersecurity training and industry research support. NBCC is just the third college in Canada to be awarded funding from the Canadian Internet Research Authority.
For the first time, more than 100 community and industry partners are involved in NBCC applied research projects.
2021-22:
ARI is awarded more than $3 million in applied research grant funding awarded, nearly doubling its previous high.
Research Associates are brought into the ARI team, serving priority socio-economic sectors: Health, Agri-Food, Educational Technology, Cybersecurity, and Social Innovation.
A pilot project is launched to increase opportunities for students to access funded applied research internships. The success of this pilot is now furthering NBCC’s goal to provide experiential learning opportunities while supporting industry and community partners.
