Friday, March 5, 2010, Calgary, Alberta – SAIT Polytechnic is pleased with the Federal Government’s continued support of applied research and commercialization activities as shown in Budget 2010.

“SAIT appreciates the Federal Government’s direct recognition of polytechnic research and the impact it has on advancing Canada’s innovation capacity,” said Irene Lewis, President and CEO of SAIT Polytechnic.

Budget 2010 contains several strategic announcements that will advance college and polytechnic research for the benefit of Canadian companies:

• Doubling the support for research collaborations between colleges and local firms;
• Support and direction for the federal granting councils to accelerate the translation of knowledge into practical applications;
• Encouraging federal departments and agencies to adopt and use innovative prototypes from small and medium-sized Canadian businesses;
• Continued support for enhancing regional innovation and commercialization through funding for regional economic development agencies;
• Direction to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to partner with colleges in an effort to encourage private sector innovation; and,
• A review of federal funding for research and development to ensure commercialization success and economic development in Canada.

SAIT recently received $2.24 million from the Federal Government’s College and Community Innovation Program. The funding will be used to advance SAIT’s Green Building Technologies program to support the overarching goal of developing a Net-Zero energy standard and certification for Western Canada.

“Our students are able to benefit from hands-on applied research experience as a result of continued support from our government and industry partners,” said Lewis. “We look forward to recognizing other opportunities in which we can provide local businesses with access to the knowledge and resources they need to innovate.”

SAIT Polytechnic is one of Canada’s most exciting destinations for post-secondary education, offering more than 100 career programs that position people for success in technology, trades and business. A leader in innovation, SAIT also collaborates with industry on applied research and delivers corporate training worldwide. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2011.

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