New innovative projects thrive

By Jessica Perreault

perr0257@algonquincollege.com

The college’s Applied Research Institute has launched nine new projects that it will be participating in for the 2008-2009 academic year.
According to Mark Hoddenbagh, director of applied research and innovations, in addition to the nine projects, another 15 could potentially be in the works between now and April.
“Typically the projects have been most active in mechanical engineering with Professor Thibodeau, but we want to help provide all services,” said Hoddenbagh. “Some are tech based and some are business based. If a client comes to us and needs marketing strategies, we want to hook them up with a marketing professor and business students.”
The institute is looking at expansion into other schools as well, including projects with media and design and opportunities in health services.
“We’ll work with anybody,” said Hoddenbagh. “We’re here to support student success.”
According to Hoddenbagh, the institute is “helping build businesses, not just technologies,” and this is done through the collaboration of different schools at Algonquin.
Unfortunately, many staff and students don’t know about the resources and opportunities available to them at the college.
“We’re not getting the benefits of being captured,” said Hoddenbagh. “This lets people be aware of what’s going on.”
The Applied Research Institute in collaboration with the Algonquin Times plans to introduce each project to the college in hopes the visibility will encourage new partnerships, ideas, and opportunities. This will help the institute’s vision to make Algonquin a “leading centre in eastern Ontario for applied research.”
So far, the partnerships and projects have led to employment for students, increased networking opportunities, and repeat business and funding on many successful projects.
“In the past year, the experiences I’ve had the opportunity to have, have been very positive,” said Hoddenbagh. “It’s great for the professors because it’s a professional development. Plus they get to work so closely with the students, which is what it’s all about.”