Humber Polytechnic has long been recognized as an innovative applied research institution through its many partnerships and collaborations with industry. In recognition of this leadership, Humber was named the top applied research institution in the Greater Toronto Area, according to Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges compiled by Research Infosource.
In the annual list, Humber moved up 10 spots in its national ranking the previous year coming fifth in 2024 and was also recognized as being first in research income growth in Canada.
"Humber Polytechnic has a unique ability to convene industry, community and academia, and this tremendous rise in the Research Infosource rankings demonstrates that," said Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO, Humber Polytechnic. "With Canada facing a massive productivity crisis, solving complex challenges through applied research is more important than ever to solidify Canada's place in the global economy. Humber offers opportunities for industry partners to collaborate with faculty, students, and researchers, to drive meaningful impact and create economic and social value. We invite organizations to partner with us to solve their wicked problems and remove barriers to productivity and prosperity."
As part of its vision Building Brilliance, Humber works closely with industry partners to deliver student experiences that bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.
Humber's ranking is bolstered by a portfolio of research projects, supported by nearly $17 million in funding for various initiatives.
These include:
Advanced Forensic DNA Testing Framework: A collaboration with Toronto Police Service, Othram Inc. and Missing Children Society of Canada to revolutionize the use of forensic DNA tools in criminal justice to improve community safety and solve cold cases. Humber is the only college in Ontario to offer a Forensic Identification program providing students with leading-edge forensic knowledge and skills for public and private policing and laboratories.
Broadcast-Broadband Convergence Lab (B2C): North America's first lab exploring next-generation ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology, The B2C Lab researches applications in public safety and education. Humber and the Lab recently partnered with the City of Calgary to improve municipal connectivity.
Voice Recognition Technology for Prediabetes Screening: Funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, this partnership with Klick Labs leverages machine learning to use voice recognition technology to screen for prediabetes in younger South Asians, a population at higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
Humber's applied research projects address the needs of industry, particularly small and mid-sized organizations, by providing access to technical expertise, facilities, and resources. Humber continues to expand its research capacity, offering industry partners access to funding opportunities and the expertise of faculty and students.
According to The Economic Impact of Applied Research at Canada's Polytechnics report, which was released in August by Polytechnics Canada, institutions such as Humber play a critical role in driving innovation.
The report found that every dollar invested in the applied research carried out by polytechnics generates a combined private and social return ranging from a low estimate of $8.09 to a high estimate of $18.49. As well, 51 per cent of research collaborators reported increased research and development capacity, 48 per cent achieved improved competitiveness and 12 per cent created new jobs.
For more information about Humber Polytechnic's research capabilities, leadership and partnership opportunities, please visit Humber's Research & Innovation website.
