applied research

As Canada increases its investment in nation-building infrastructure, the success of these projects will depend on a strong pipeline of skilled talent.  Polytechnics Canada caught up with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to discuss how expanding training capacity through its Advanced Skills Centre (ASC) is helping address skilled trades labour shortages.

Peter Leclaire, Vice-President, Academic, and Patti Hergott, Associate Vice-President, Academic Quality & Operational Excellence, explored the evolving role of polytechnic institutions in preparing the next generation of trades professionals.

Read More > “Building Canada’s Skilled Trades Workforce”

Polytechnics are key to bridging industrial needs with cutting-edge research and talent development in Canada’s manufacturing sector.  Sheridan’s session at the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, Bridging the Productivity Gap: Scalable AI-Robotics Integration through Collaboration, highlighted how AI-driven automation can resolve production bottlenecks while training the next generation of engineers.

Polytechnics Canada connected with Dr. Ethan Shen, Research Manager, Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing, Dr. El Sayed Mahmoud, Professor of Computer Science, and Madushen Paramanathan, Student Research Assistant, to learn more about the polytechnic-industry partnership between Sheridan and Rex Power Magnetics.

Read More > “AI-Driven Advanced Manufacturing”

Polytechnics help advance defence innovation in Canada by translating strategy into action: developing skilled talent, validating technologies and strengthening industry readiness for real-world deployment.  As a NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) test centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is one of many polytechnics advancing Canada’s contribution to allied defence innovation.

Looking back on the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, Polytechnics Canada spoke with Dr. Terry Peckham, Director and Research Chair of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE).  Read to learn more about how the institution is strengthening Canada’s role in defence innovation.

Read More > “Advancing Defence Innovation in Canada”

Polytechnics are playing a growing role in developing drones as dual-use technologies for interdisciplinary applications, such as wildfire response and environmental stewardship. Ahead of the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, Polytechnics Canada connected with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to discuss their session, From Detection to Containment: Drones in Modern Wildfire Response, highlighting the expanding role of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

Dr. Eric Saczuk, Director, BCIT RPAS Hub, and Justin Perry, Instructor, Forest & Natural Areas Management, recently shared how BCIT is responding to Canada’s environmental challenges.

Read More > “Program Preview: Drones as Dual-use Technologies”

As the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase approaches, we connected with Seneca Polytechnic to discuss their session, Supporting Students and Faculty in the Age of AI: Seneca’s Playbook for Practical, Responsible Adoption. Polytechnics Canada spoke with AI Thought Leaders, Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos and Kent Peel, about how Seneca is helping students and faculty navigate artificial intelligence (AI) in practical and responsible ways.

Read More > “Program Preview: Navigating Artificial Intelligence Responsibly”