Lethbridge College has once again been recognized as one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges. The college placed 50th in the 2018 rankings, released on Thursday by Research Infosource. It is the second-straight year – and the fifth time in the last six years – that Lethbridge College has been included in the rankings.
With a focus on applied research that meets needs identified by industry, the college’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation is a catalyst for economic growth, sustainability and social development in southern Alberta.
“This ranking recognizes our commitment to applied research and the benefits it provides both to our college and our community,” says Dr. Kenny Corscadden, associate vice president research. “We have created a rich research ecosystem. Many faculty are actively engaged in innovative and meaningful research with diverse topics, and have been able to engage students who benefit from their experiences.”
Lethbridge College has an annual research budget of $1.6 million and has provided valuable support this year to 64 industry partners.
This past year, the college added new energy to its applied research activities by appointing Dr. Corscadden as the first associate vice president research. Over the past year the college has also launched a new entrepreneurship and innovation program, called AgENT; received its first Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council institutional grant; expanded the Centre of Applied Research and Innovation by building its research support team; started new Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council-funded projects; and introduced its strategic research plan to the college community.
“Applied research allows our faculty, students and researchers to spread their wings and affect change in areas that align with their expertise,” says Dr. Samantha Lenci, Provost and Vice President Academic. “We are actively looking for industry partners to engage with us on projects that will have a positive impact on our communities and industries that lead to changes that support our region through social improvements and economic diversification.”
The college’s new and varied projects compliment established work that continues in the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, in the Citizen Society Research Lab and by the Mueller Applied Research Chair in Irrigation Science.
Research Infosource annually ranks Canada’s 50 research colleges, in addition to other rankings that help to highlight the strengths of Canada’s research environment. Rankings are based on data obtained through surveys of publicly-funded colleges and from 2016-17 financial statements. Lethbridge College has earned a top-50 ranking in five of the six years that Research Infosource has conducted these rankings.