2009-2008
News Release
REF NO.: 39
SUBJECT: Marine Institute and Camosun College Partner for Ocean Technology
DATE: October 20, 2008
Advancing education and applied research In Canada’s ocean technology sector is the focus of a new collaboration between the Marine Institute and Camosun College, in Victoria, BC. Today, Glenn Blackwood, executive director of the Marine Institute, and Dr. Tom Roemer, dean of Camosun’s School of Trades and Technology, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding to develop new joint initiatives in the ocean technology field at the opening of the Ocean Innovation Conference in St. John’s, NL.
“This collaboration brings tremendous opportunities to share and develop our mutual interests in the ocean technology field for the benefit of students, companies and researchers,” said Glenn Blackwood. “Together, we will build our expertise and expand our capacity to serve the training and research needs of the ocean technology sector in Canada and internationally.”
The Marine Institute and Camosun College are ideally situated to develop new training and technology transfer initiatives for Canada’s east and west coasts. The agreement allows both educational institutions to explore student and faculty exchanges, academic credit transfers and bridging opportunities between programs.
The two institutions will also focus on identifying opportunities for joint applied research and development projects in ocean technology and international opportunities where the institutions may work together.
"Our oceans and ecosystems in peril call for a truly concerted effort at all levels. As Canada's colleges and technical institutes have taken on the roles of applied research and technology transfer hubs, it is consequential that we forge strategic alliances,” said Dr. Roemer. “With respect to ocean technology, we could not have hoped for a more suitable partner than the Marine Institute. This collaboration will indeed be 'from sea to sea'."
The Marine Institute established its School of Ocean Technology in May 2007 to focus on technologies that enable safe, efficient, and effective activity in ocean industries, including ocean instrumentation, marine information and communication technologies, ocean mapping and underwater technology. The school offers diploma and certificate programs in remotely operated vehicles and ocean instrumentation. Its office of applied research has also been actively involved with ocean technology developers in Canada and internationally. It also oversees the Journal of Ocean Technology, the Oceans Innovation Conference and SmartBay, a Canadian technology that provides access for stakeholders to data, and supports effective management and sustainable development of coastal and ocean areas.
Located in Victoria, BC, Camosun College offers more than 100 innovative programs including university transfer and applied degree programs; career and trades training; upgrading and preparatory programs; and continuing education to approximately 16,000 learners. Camosun is the largest provider of engineering technology programs among BC colleges and hosts bridging programs from engineering technology diplomas to engineering degrees. The college has begun to establish applied research and development activity in the area of ocean technology and forge relationships with ocean technology developers on Canada’s West Coast.
Recently, Camosun College received a federal grant to establish the Vancouver Island Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping Centre, which will ultimately aid industry in the development of new ocean technologies.
REF NO.: 39
SUBJECT: Marine Institute and Camosun College Partner for Ocean Technology
DATE: October 20, 2008
Advancing education and applied research In Canada’s ocean technology sector is the focus of a new collaboration between the Marine Institute and Camosun College, in Victoria, BC. Today, Glenn Blackwood, executive director of the Marine Institute, and Dr. Tom Roemer, dean of Camosun’s School of Trades and Technology, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding to develop new joint initiatives in the ocean technology field at the opening of the Ocean Innovation Conference in St. John’s, NL.
“This collaboration brings tremendous opportunities to share and develop our mutual interests in the ocean technology field for the benefit of students, companies and researchers,” said Glenn Blackwood. “Together, we will build our expertise and expand our capacity to serve the training and research needs of the ocean technology sector in Canada and internationally.”
The Marine Institute and Camosun College are ideally situated to develop new training and technology transfer initiatives for Canada’s east and west coasts. The agreement allows both educational institutions to explore student and faculty exchanges, academic credit transfers and bridging opportunities between programs.
The two institutions will also focus on identifying opportunities for joint applied research and development projects in ocean technology and international opportunities where the institutions may work together.
"Our oceans and ecosystems in peril call for a truly concerted effort at all levels. As Canada's colleges and technical institutes have taken on the roles of applied research and technology transfer hubs, it is consequential that we forge strategic alliances,” said Dr. Roemer. “With respect to ocean technology, we could not have hoped for a more suitable partner than the Marine Institute. This collaboration will indeed be 'from sea to sea'."
The Marine Institute established its School of Ocean Technology in May 2007 to focus on technologies that enable safe, efficient, and effective activity in ocean industries, including ocean instrumentation, marine information and communication technologies, ocean mapping and underwater technology. The school offers diploma and certificate programs in remotely operated vehicles and ocean instrumentation. Its office of applied research has also been actively involved with ocean technology developers in Canada and internationally. It also oversees the Journal of Ocean Technology, the Oceans Innovation Conference and SmartBay, a Canadian technology that provides access for stakeholders to data, and supports effective management and sustainable development of coastal and ocean areas.
Located in Victoria, BC, Camosun College offers more than 100 innovative programs including university transfer and applied degree programs; career and trades training; upgrading and preparatory programs; and continuing education to approximately 16,000 learners. Camosun is the largest provider of engineering technology programs among BC colleges and hosts bridging programs from engineering technology diplomas to engineering degrees. The college has begun to establish applied research and development activity in the area of ocean technology and forge relationships with ocean technology developers on Canada’s West Coast.
Recently, Camosun College received a federal grant to establish the Vancouver Island Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping Centre, which will ultimately aid industry in the development of new ocean technologies.
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