How BCIT innovated to provide applied solutions to industry challenges

BCIT researchers and research groups have been working with industries for 30 years, helping companies and organizations develop new technologies, products, and services. Despite the evolving challenges of the pandemic this year, BCIT continued its bold pursuit of new applications and technologies to solve real-life problems. The result? An impressive list of breakthrough accomplishments and invaluable hands-on experiences for BCIT students spanning healthcare, clean energy, natural health products, and more.

Keep reading to discover some of the highlights from Applied Research of the past year and get a glimpse of what’s to come in 2022.

1) BCIT partners with industry on virtual clean-energy training platform for First Nations communities

BCIT in partnership with Siemens Canada, Denesoline Corporation (Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation’s wholly-owned subsidiary), and the Digital Supercluster, is proud to announce its investment in empowering Indigenous communities by providing an online vocational training program in Clean Energy Power Plants.

2) MAKE+ helps Royal Columbian Hospital entrepreneurs

It makes sense that innovations around medical devices should come from healthcare entrepreneurs.  That is, with a little bit of help from MAKE+ prototype development experts.

3) Applied Research receives Gold CICan Award

Congratulations to BCIT applied research for receiving Gold in the Applied Research and Innovation Excellence category of the 2021 Awards of Excellence presented by the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

4) BCIT awarded $1.7 million to address barriers to electric vehicle adoption

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of more than $1.7 million to the BCIT to address barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

5) BCIT researchers receive CFI funding to continue research with the Canadian Hyper-K International collaboration

BCIT researchers Dr. Barry Pointon and Dr. Michal Aibin are collaborating with the University of Victoria, TRIUMF, and other Canadian institutions on an international project that will be Canada’s contribution to the world-leading, Hyper-Kamiokande neutrino experiment in Japan.

6) BCIT researcher Dr. Paula Brown awarded the ABC Norman R. Farnsworth Award

The 2021 American Botanical Council (ABC) Norman R. Farnsworth Excellence in Botanical Research Award has been presented to Dr. Paula Brown, Director, Natural Health and Food Products Research Group (NRG) and Canada Research Chair.

7) BCIT partners with YVR Innovation Hub as living lab for IoT

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has partnered with BCIT Centre for Internet of Things to obtain technical expertise, specifically a living lab for students and faculty to research new processes and technology from a wide variety of applications.

8) BCIT alumnus-turned-instructor supports students in innovative ideas

BCIT School of Construction and the Environment alumnus Donald Yen is contributing $15,000 to award student winners over the next three years to support the BCIT Student Innovation Challenge.

9) BCIT researchers receive $2-million in funding for Shock-proofing the Future of Work

As part of the FSC pandemic response plan, this funding supports labour market innovations that build resilience in the face of social and economic shock. The Future Skills Centre connects ideas and innovations generated across Canada to build a thriving economy that helps Canadians gain the skills they need to succeed in a changing labour market

10) BCIT SMART Team wins ECO Canada Community Impact Award

BCIT SMART team was awarded the 2021 ECO Canada Community Impact Award for their project on Master your EV etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts of EV charging. The ECO Canada Community Impact Award recognizes positive environmental projects from across the country by groups that have displayed environmental advocacy, sustainable initiatives, and skill-building.

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Excited to learn more? Take a look at BCIT applied research champions at work—from faculty and staff who support student projects to individuals just starting out, and newly-minted Canada Research Chairs to long-standing advocates of scientific investigation.

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