BC Research and Innovation Network launched

by Keith Powell — June 20, 2013

BCARIN’s mandate is to connect member institutions — their students and faculty — with business and community organizations who seek to solve ‘real world’ problems which demand skill in research and innovation. BCARIN has launched a website and network portal and it has appointed its first executive board, co-chaired by Thor Borgford, Dean of Science & Technology at Douglas College and Margaret Heldman, Dean of Science at Langara.

Said Borgford and Heldman, “The BCARIN initiative will grow applied research capacity within the Colleges and fellow institutions, it will produce greater direct engagement of students and faculty with their communities, and promote an extensive sharing of knowledge and resources. Importantly, the network aims to enhance business productivity and improve the outcomes sought by community organizations.”

Angus Graeme, president of Selkirk College and chair of BC Colleges, said, “Skilled and educated workers are our most critical resource and BC’s 11 public colleges are focused on ensuring our graduates have the right advanced skills and education to meet labour market demands. This includes fostering an environment that places an emphasis on applied research and innovation as a means to improved workforce productivity, sustained business and enterprise success, and expanded community engagement.”

“Selkirk College and its growing capacity in applied research and innovation will be well served by our membership in BCARIN where we hope new opportunities to collaborate and serve students and community can flourish,” said Dean of Applied Research, Rhys Andrews. More information on Applied Research and Innovation can be found at Selkirk College.

About BCARIN

Members of BCARIN belong to the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and are accredited to administer funding from the three major Canadian federal granting agencies — the Canadian Institutes of Health research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Member institutions include the 11 member colleges of BC Colleges (Camosun College, the College of New Caledonia, College of the Rockies, Douglas College, Langara, North Island College, Northwest Community College, Northern Lights College, Okanagan College, Selkirk College, Vancouver Community College),as well as the Justice Institute of BC, and Yukon College. Members offer a broad-range of expertise and experience in research and development, and the required infrastructure to support innovation in industrial, corporate, and community contexts.

BCARIN’s website was created and is maintained by students working with the Douglas College Digital Cultures Lab.