For the third year in a row, the Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) has been named one of the country's top institutions for college-level research.
It rose to 17th place this year from 27th in 2013, according to Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges 2016, produced by RE$EARCH Infosource Inc.
Olds College was also ranked 10th in the nation among mid-sized colleges in terms of total research partnerships.
OCCI also placed sixth in terms of research growth.
College officials say that growth is expected to continue, now that its Technology Access Centre for Livestock Research (TAC) has been established.
Funding for the TAC was approved by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) April 1.
The TAC will specialize in making livestock production more efficient and finding ways to improve the health of sheep and beef cattle herds.
OCCI director Toby Williams is pleased by the RE$EARCH Infosource Inc. ranking.
“Since 1999, Olds College has played a leadership role in applied research activity aimed at advancing innovation-based rural economic development in Alberta, Williams says. “We work directly with industry partners in order to address needs and provide solutions to the issues facing industry.”
Key areas of research focus for Olds College Centre for Innovation include agronomy, livestock feed efficiency, turfgrass production, water quality enhancement using treatment wetlands, composting and clothing innovation.
Olds College president Tom Thompson says OCCI works hard to ensure the research it undertakes helps Olds and area as well as the commercial sector.
“We work closely with our partners to ensure that the research done in the Olds College Centre for Innovation results in tangible and positive impacts to industry and our community,” he says.
"We work closely with our partners to ensure that the research done in the Olds College Centre for Innovation results in tangible and positive impacts to industry and our community." TOM THOMPSONOLDS COLLEGE PRESIDENT
