On January 15, Cambrian Innovates students and faculty met with Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré during their tour of the Cambrian College campus, which was led by Cambrian President Bill Best.

During their visit to the Glencore Centre for Innovation (which is home to Cambrian Innovates, the College’s research arm), the visiting Members of Parliament learned about applied research and the projects currently underway and heard from students and faculty who shared personal success stories and explained how innovative collaborations happen at the College.

The tour highlighted seven projects that showcased students from various programs such as Graphic Design, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Welding and Fabrication, and Civil Engineering. Many of the projects paired students and faculty and matched them with an industry partner looking for a specific industrial business solution. This approach enabled students to gain valuable work-setting experience that would give them an edge when starting their careers.  Applied Research Developer,Stephen Gravel, highlighted the need for this type of experience.

“The recent growth of applied research in colleges has given students a competitive advantage over their peers in the workforce,” said Stephen Gravel. “In addition to their in-class education, the students gain interpersonal, technical and problem-solving skills that are transferable to the workplace. “

The group also toured the Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services and discussed approaches to supporting the educational and social needs of Indigenous students on and off campus. The MPs also got a first-hand look at the sleigh that was built by Aboriginal students in a Youth Exposure to Skilled Trades program delivered at Cambrian College’s mobile trades trailer in Whitefish River First Nation in Birch Island.