NAIT ranks third overall, first in research intensity
NAIT has been recognized as one of Canada’s top research colleges and polytechnics.
NAIT ranked third on Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges list for 2020. The annual ranking by Research Infosource Inc. tracks research income in the form of grants, contracts and contributions from partner organizations.
Sandra Marocco, vice-president of industry partnerships and chief marketing officer, said the results reflect NAIT’s success at building strong relationships with industry and in delivering results for its partners in applied research.
“Industry comes to NAIT knowing they have a trusted partner capable of developing solutions to their most important problems.”
“NAIT’s deep connections to Alberta’s industry is foundational to everything we do,” Marocco said. “Industry comes to NAIT knowing they have a trusted partner capable of developing solutions to their most important problems. These relationships will be even more critical as we address the challenges of the pandemic and work together to ensure Alberta’s economic recovery and continued prosperity.”
Third in research dollars, first in “intensity”
NAIT received $11.8 million in research income for 2018-19, the year on which the ranking was based, an increase of 112% from the previous year. That put NAIT third just behind Cégep de Trois Rivières ($15.8 million) and Lambton College ($12.4 million). Mohawk College ($10.9 million) and Red River College ($9.3 million) rounded out the top five.
NAIT ranked first for “research intensity,” meaning the amount of research income per researcher, and placed seventh among larger institutions for both research income from industry ($1.9 million) and the number of research partnerships (108).
Dr. Olle Lagerquist, associate vice-president of NAIT Industry Solutions, said the rankings are a credit to the unique operating model, growth and success of NAIT’s applied research centres, especially in the areas of energy, environmental protection and resource sustainability.
Lagerquist pointed to NAIT’s 10-year, $10-million partnership with Inter Pipeline to reduce waste plastics through the Plastics Research In Action (PRIA) initiative as a recent example of a research partnership that could help industry innovate for the benefit of all Canadians. The partnership recently marked its one-year anniversary.
“NAIT’s applied research centres are working with our partners to develop practical, impactful solutions that benefit industry and the communities where they invest,” he said.