College innovations could help business

Ontario colleges have proven to be a valuable implement during these rough economic times.

Katharine Janzen, chair of the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII) Steering Committee and vice-president of research and innovation at Seneca College, was at the King campus recently, explaining how Ontario businesses can use colleges' innovations as cost-effective means to stay competitive, productive and profitable.

"Small business accounts for more than 80 per cent of Ontario's economy and is the sector hardest hit by current difficult times, so the renewed funding has come at a vital time," Janzen stated in a recent press release. "What this means is business owners and managers need to be more effective than ever in using creative resources like CONII, so they can access the applied research, development and commercialization services they need to keep their companies afloat and growing."

Since 2007, CONII, through the assistance of Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation's Ontario Research Commercialization Program (ORCP), has been developing procedures to allow businesses to use faculty expertise, provide students with real-world learning opportunities and have a large impact on Ontario's small business sector, said Janzen.

Janzen said CONII has many areas of expertise, including alternative energy, environmental technologies and construction, digital media, health and life sciences, hospitality and tourism, information and communication technologies, manufacturing and materials, and viticulture and agri-business.

"The CONII colleges collectively offer a broad range of strengths and we put together the strongest team for each particular company," Janzen commented.

"There's an incredible potential for any business to get help with the challenges that might be nagging their business, especially as they look for ways to save money."