Loyalist and Canadore partner with Ontario Genomics to advance the bioeconomy

North Bay, Belleville and Toronto, Ontario, December 14, 2021 – Unifying genomics-based applied research, education and training across the province, Loyalist College and Canadore College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ontario Genomics to drive economic growth, improve quality of life and provide leadership to support key sectors in the province.

Students will benefit as new and enhanced work-integrated learning opportunities and genomics-based solutions will be applied to real-world business challenges. The three partners will work together to spur industry-led applied research opportunities in genomics-related fields for the purposes of advancing local/regional economies and advancing the overall global competitiveness of the participating industry partners. The overall goal of this partnership is to advance the bioeconomy across the province of Ontario.

Loyalist College brings advanced biotechnology programming and applied research capacity in key industry sectors to advance innovative products and processes. The experience of Canadore College and its commitment to enhance applied genomics research through their state-of-the-art laboratory facilities will increase productivity and catalyze new product development. Together, with the resources and province-wide network of Ontario Genomics, businesses in the province will benefit from the opportunity to accelerate the development of their products or services through genomics-related lab to market advancements.

Quotes:

“This collaboration with Loyalist College and Ontario Genomics supports Canadore’s firm direction for our applied research initiatives. It will enhance our students’ learning opportunities and lead to creative solutions for real-world challenges. We are a solution-focused institution, and our specializations in biotechnology and functional genomics will open the door to cross-training opportunities for students and employees, as well as opportunities to collaborate on applied research. We are pleased to be collaborating with these two institutions on this important work.” – George Burton, President and CEO, Canadore College

 “Our partnership with Canadore College, a leading Canadian college in the field of genomics, and with Ontario Genomics and its network, aligns perfectly with Loyalist College’s Bio Economy & Agritech cluster of programs and applied research. The synergies we create across the natural products and medical cannabis sectors and related industries will benefit regional employers and contribute directly to the economy. By sharing expertise, knowledge and research data, we’ll collectively provide students with invaluable work experience, while allowing them to contribute directly to innovative projects.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Loyalist College

“Now more than ever, we understand the power of genomics to unleash innovations across industries, drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for people in Ontario, Canada and the world. Genomics and engineering biology provides an opportunity to reimagine global food systems and sustainably feed the world in times of crisis and beyond. We are thrilled to be working with two strong colleges devoted to using genomics to advance Ontario’s bioeconomy to provide a competitive advantage for Ontario companies.” – Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President and CEO, Ontario Genomics

About Ontario Genomics
Ontario Genomics is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Ontario government and Genome Canada. Established in 2000, Ontario Genomics leads the application of genomics-based solutions across key sectors of the economy to drive economic growth, improved quality of life and global leadership for Ontario. Their vision is to enable healthy people, a healthy economy, and a healthy planet through genomics innovations. Ontario Genomics works with researchers, small and large companies, not-for-profits, and governments to facilitate the creation of public-private and public-public partnerships where every partner gets to leverage expertise and funding. Ontario Genomics’ projects are milestone-driven and range from novel diagnostics for disease detection or precision medicine, to genomics-based breeding of plants and animals, to DNA monitoring for a healthier environment to optimizing microbial communities to make in-demand products.

About Canadore College
Canadore College trains people through applied learning, leadership and innovation. It provides access to over 80 full-time quality programs, has outstanding faculty, and provides success services to students from nearly 400 Canadian communities and 15 international countries. The College, its students, and alumni add $369 million to the Nipissing Parry Sound service area economy. Approximately 1,000 students graduate from Canadore each year, and they join 48,000 alumni working across the globe. Canadore receives less than 50 per cent of its traditional funding from the provincial Ministry of Colleges and Universities and relies on its own innovation and entrepreneurial endeavours and generous donors for the balance.

About Loyalist College          
Loyalist College is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, and the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour, and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within. Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $396.3 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2021 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

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Media Contacts:          

Canadore College
Cindy Males
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
Office of the President
705-475-2538
Cindy.Males@canadorecollege.ca

Loyalist College
Braden Root-McCaig
Director of Marketing and Communications
647-523-4300
brootmccaig@loyalistcollege.com

Ontario Genomics
Polina Martins
Director of Communications
pmartins@ontariogenomics.ca