Resources
Applied research is an important way that Canada’s polytechnics support small- and mid-sized businesses that lack internal R&D resources. This four-page brief includes annual statistics gathered from our member institutions and provides ideas for how to maximize the impact of applied research in Canada.
While Canada’s productivity indicators have long been lacklustre, the urgency of addressing persistently sluggish economic performance has only recently made headlines.
What we’ve known for some time — that small businesses are relatively slow to adopt new technology, that skill mismatches diminish performance and impede growth — is no longer a conversation confined to economists and central bankers.
With poor productivity performance, quality of life in Canada is being eroded and policymakers urgently need effective solutions. Past federal measures introduced to boost innovation and productivity have been disappointing or delayed, failing to generate promised results. Productivity indicators continue to lag those of peer countries.
Read More > “Canada’s innovation tool box should contain more applied research”
Against a backdrop of discussion largely focused on European Universities Alliances, a panel made up of Preeti Nair (India), David Ross (Canada) and Ahmed Samy (UAE) provided interesting insights about opportunities for transnational cooperation with those outside Europe.
Moderated by Hilligje van’t Land of the International Association of Universities, discussion reflected optimism that applied post-secondary education is increasingly being recognized by governments and industry partners as an essential part of global advanced education systems. While this attention draws partners and funding to universities of applied science and polytechnics, it also challenges institutions to stay ahead in an environment of rapid technological change and societal transformation.
Read More > “Transnational cooperation beyond the European Higher Education Area”
Canada is facing its worst housing affordability crisis in decades, putting home ownership out of reach for many young people looking to get a foothold in the market.
Despite federal investments designed to boost housing supply and expedite building approvals, the need for millions of new homes comes with additional challenges. At least as urgent as freeing up land and issuing building permits is the need for skilled tradespeople able to turn blueprints into bathrooms and concepts into kitchens.
The urgency of climate change action is no longer theoretical. Worldwide, fires, floods and extreme heat have made it clear that we have a major global challenge on our hands.
Among the solutions, Canada should be all-in on clean technology adoption. While renewables are increasingly viable and tax levers have proven to influence company and consumer behaviour, clean tech offers immediate-term benefits that are critical to achieving climate wins.
