Ottawa’s Kanata North campus will advance innovation and impact – Ottawa Business Journal

The The uOttawa Kanata North campus recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, and since its inception, the campus has experienced significant changes – from doubling in size two years after opening to the launch of the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Innovation Center in 2021 and the opening of a second campus space at Hub350 in 2022 . and has significantly increased the number of partnerships and collaborations over the last six months.

During this time, uOttawa has proven to be a reliable partner for companies looking to expand their R&D efforts and impact through research collaborations, access talent through internships, and even attract multi-million-dollar funding they otherwise would not have access to.

Despite the impressive achievements to date, those behind the past achievements and milestones of the Kanata North campus are determined not to rest on their laurels.

That’s why they’re focused on expanding and strengthening uOttawa Kanata North’s role as an industry and community partner, both now and in the future.

Next chapter uOttawa Kanata North

uOttawa Kanata North’s director of innovation and partnerships, Sean Geddes, says the first five years were just an introduction to what’s next for the campus. Here are some of the most impactful events on the horizon and why local businesses and the tech community should pay attention.

“We will continue to increase our presence in the technology park as well as our comprehensive partnerships,” says Geddes, adding that the campus aims to double the number of industry partnerships over the next five years, while, of course, continuing to support its existing partners.

Impactful R&D partnership opportunities

uOttawa has already made a significant impact through its technology park R&D partnership and has seen first-hand the incredible opportunities that can be created when industry and uOttawa come together. Over the past 5 years, uOttawa has partnered with over 60 companies in Kanata North, from homegrown startups such as Edge Signal, thinkRF, RoboSafety and Celestra Health Systems, to larger companies such as Ericsson, Nokia, Ciena, BlackBerry QNX and Wesley Clover. Only thanks to the Innovation Center for Intelligent Connected Vehicles at the Faculty of Engineering, over 20 partnerships have been established.

Geddes says the uOttawa Kanata North team will explore unique opportunities, such as co-creating and investing in research and development labs and testing space in the technology park. “Creating joint laboratories with industry further drives the transformation of innovative ideas into real solutions, while creating a dynamic environment in which research and innovation thrive, and groundbreaking breakthroughs are tested and implemented for the benefit of society.” Geddes adds that these spaces also create an incredible learning environment for Ottawa students who will enter the workforce after graduation.“After seeing the tremendous impact that bringing the university’s first industry-based research lab to the Technology Park in just three years, we are excited to bring another team and their lab to the uOttawa Kanata North campus,” says Geddes.

The uOttawa Kanata North team will also prioritize exciting opportunities to support innovative collaborations, such as named research chairs working with industry. The establishment of industry-collaborative research chairs will combine the reputation of the university and industry partner to foster long-term collaboration and promote practical, impactful industry-driven research. These chairs will not only work to improve the academic landscape, but will also facilitate knowledge transfer by ensuring the effective testing and implementation of new technologies, while providing partners with excellent visibility and reputational benefits.

Bringing together multi-stakeholder teams to secure large-scale partnership grants to support large research collaborations also continues to be a core focus of the Kanata North team. “The collaboration with uOttawa enables us to leverage public sector funds through key programs to, in some cases, triple or quadruple the contributions of industry partners to increase the overall R&D budget,” says Geddes. “Our uOttawa teams have extensive experience and a strong track record of supporting the development of these types of proposals.”

Industry training for students and professionals

Last year, Nokia’s Professional Development Institute (PDI) partnered with Nokia to improve its engineers’ skills in identifying and meeting customer needs driven by business goals. uOttawa will remain committed to improving the delivery of professional development programs at the technology park, working closely with industry partners to tailor offerings to specific needs, similar to its collaboration with Nokia.

In addition to custom programs, PDI has an extensive catalog of “off-the-shelf” courses, many of which are aligned with industry standards in areas such as cybersecurity and cybersecurity, disinformation and risk management. All programs delivered by PDI ensure that employees are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

uOttawa will also continue to work with technology park companies to align student programs with industry demands. By tailoring curricula to reflect the skills employers are looking for, uOttawa aims to prepare students for successful and impactful careers in the technology sector. This collaborative approach ensures that graduates possess not only the theoretical knowledge but also the practical competencies required to achieve excellence in the labor market, making them valuable assets to future employers.

Community involvement

Another priority for the uOttawa North team is maintaining the momentum of growing community engagement between uOttawa and the technology community.

Geddes says, “We currently have 7 of Ottawa’s 10 departments represented in various activities at the technology park. We continue to play an active role in providing more uOttawa programs, events and activities that are community-driven,” he explains. “There is tremendous value in connecting the uOttawa and Kanata North communities, so this will also include increasing the number of Kanata North residents across all uOttawa campuses.”

Waiting for a change of address

One of uOttawa Kanata North’s most urgent future initiatives is its upcoming move from its current location at 535 Legget Dr.

Geddes says the move is “an excellent opportunity to re-evaluate how our current campus has worked for us and explore how we can rethink and design it to better serve the uOttawa and Kanata North communities.” Geddes added: “This may include the creation of additional lab space in the technology park with the involvement of another uOttawa faculty.”

While several interesting real estate options are being considered, Geddes says the campus will change its address by spring 2025.

How companies can get involved

So how can local tech companies – from early-stage startups to established companies – partner with uOttawa Kanata North to gain better access to talent and accelerate their product development plans?

“It works both ways,” says Geddes, explaining that the university contacts companies that are willing to cooperate, and at the same time responds to inquiries from companies interested in cooperation.

“It all starts with a conversation, whether it’s initiated from us or from them,” he says. “Our approach is to find out where we can help and where there are mutually beneficial opportunities to collaborate, and then step in to support those companies.”

Partnerships between the university and the local tech community are win-win: good for businesses, the local economy and – of course – students.

“We have graduates and PhD students facing real industry challenges,” explains Geddes. “We bring together the best of industry, academia and research to solve real-world problems.” It should not be forgotten that these partnerships generate indigenous intellectual property developed right here in the National Capital Region.

Are you interested in working with uOttawa? Connect with the uOttawa Kanata North team to learn how you can engage with them and innovate.