Ontario Enhancing Research Opportunities for College Students

Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science

Province Investing in 61 R&D Projects

Oakville, ON – Feb 6, 2018

Ontario is supporting projects across the province that will connect college students with businesses to tackle R&D challenges and launch innovative new products and services.

Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science was at Sheridan College in Oakville to announce the 61 projects across 22 colleges receiving funding through the Colleges Applied Research and Development Fund (CARDF). The three projects at Sheridan include:

Virtual Human Characters – An Interdisciplinary Approach — develops computer-generated characters with human-like qualities that can communicate in real-time using natural human facial expressions, speech and gestures. Virtual humans can be used for training and simulation, and health care education and treatment as virtual patients and caregivers. Students will collaborate with leading external researchers in deep machine learning.

Rapid Engagement Innovation Network (REIN) — supports regional innovation by engaging small and medium-sized enterprises to solve technology development challenges and adoption across multiple sectors, while preparing students for Ontario’s growing tech-based economy.

Simulation and Optimization of Airflow Channels and Equipment Layout in Beverage Coolers — seeks to optimize the design of a leading refrigeration manufacturer’s new modular industrial beverage cooling unit, by increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of the cooling deck cycle and reducing power consumption in the refrigeration system. Students will collaborate with industry partners to attain solutions as vital members of the project team.

Helping students succeed in the innovation economy is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.