CHARLOTTETOWN
Holland College Applied Research department receives NSERC equipment grant

Holland College's Applied Research department has been awarded more than $95,500 through a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grant.

Ibraheem Adeoti, Research Associate, left, and Research Assistant Nguyen Nguyen work on various research projects as part of Holland College's Applied Biotechnology Research Group.

ARTI grants support the purchase of research equipment to foster and enhance the capacity of colleges to undertake applied research projects in partnership with industry, public, not-for-profit and health organizations within their community and to provide exciting new training opportunities for students.

Last year, the Applied Research department was involved in 125 industry-based college research collaborations involving 26 staff and faculty members, and 20 paid student placements in 16 programs.

Holland College President Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, said the ARTI funding will enable the college to augment its inventory of industry-relevant equipment.

"The activities of the Applied Research department are mutually beneficial. Our students work on industry-based projects, enhancing their learning experiences and expanding their network to include potential employers. Having the right equipment to participate in industry-based projects is an important element in attracting new project partners. We are grateful to NSERC for the ARTI grant," he said.

The grant will be used to purchase a BUCHI Universal Extraction Unit E-800 and recirculating chiller. The equipment will result in significantly enhanced extraction capacity at Holland College, allowing for considerably more research and development and student training with industry in the agriculture, aquaculture, and food development sector and the college's Applied Biotechnology Research Group.