Georgian College receives $1 million investment to enhance centre for testing and adopting advanced technologies

The college will invest the money in its centre for manufacturers and companies to test and adopt advanced technologies.

Georgian College can spruce up its centre for testing and adopting advanced technologies, thanks to the $1 million donation from the Ontario Research Fund (ORF).

The funds will support the Centre of Industrial Simulation and Prototyping, a safe and controlled environment to complete the work.

The centre is the first Industry 5.0 sandbox of its kind in Ontario. It is designed to be like a soft launch before the new tool or piece of technology gets presented to the real world. Manufacturers and technology providers can simulate, test, demonstrate and validate advanced technologies throughout the space in a low-risk atmosphere. The college says it’s a unique space that offers hands-on research facility that fosters a collaborative setting.

“Georgian College is a vital partner in workforce education and economic development in Ontario,” said Kevin Weaver, president and CEO of Georgian College. “Together with businesses and industry, this funding strengthens our collective ability to move promising technologies into practice faster, driving real results for employers and communities across the province. I want to thank the Ontario government for their support and commitment to innovative technology and learning.”

The money will be used to purchase and install advanced equipment to create a mixed environment featuring both physical and digital elements. Equipment will include automation platforms, robotics, simulation technologies and specialized testing spaces.

The college says by upgrading the space digitally, using virtual replicas of products and hands-on prototyping, it will help to speed up timelines so companies can get their products into the hands of the public faster.

The space is a win for students too: it gives them real-life product testing scenarios. Rather than letting technology run the centre, the Industry 5.0’s approach of putting people at the centre, helps to give students the hands-on experience they need.

This is the second time the college has received a $1 million grant. The first one million came from the Canada Foundation for Innovation in October.