University-industry collaborations will be promoted across the region
UBC is partnering with Mitacs, a national, not-for-profit training and research organization, to locate a business development specialist on the Okanagan campus.
This week Jennifer Tedman-Jones began work to promote university-industry collaboration in the Interior, including through Mitacs research and training programs. Tedman-Jones comes to UBC from the University of Waterloo, continuing in the role of director of business development with Mitacs.
Mitacs provides services to both industry and university faculty with a focus on developing research-based linkages. Mitacs offers a suite of research and training programs, such as Mitacs Accelerate, which connects local industries to top graduate students and post-doctoral fellows over the course of a minimum four-month co-funded research project. The internships provide students the opportunity to transfer their skills from theory to application.
Based at UBC Okanagan, Tedman-Jones will support the Okanagan campus’ promotion of innovation and economic development in the BC Interior in collaboration with Thompson Rivers University, the University of Northern British Columbia and Okanagan College.
“The partnership between Mitacs and UBC Okanagan is an exciting development for the region,” says Deborah Buszard, deputy-vice chancellor and principal. “I look forward to seeing the connections between the University and the community grow and I expect students who take part in Mitacs training programs will find enhanced opportunities for skills development, as well as increased employability.”
Gordon Binsted, vice-principal research, also expressed enthusiasm for the arrival of a Mitacs specialist on campus. “UBC Okanagan has rapidly growing capacity for excellent research with activities increasing annually,” says Binsted. “Having a Mitacs specialist on campus will further UBC’s robust research connections with the community and I look forward to working with Jennifer to broaden UBC’s impact.”
