Okanagan College and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) took a significant step forward in joint collaboration this week with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that formalizes each institution’s commitment to explore and pursue joint opportunities to provide high quality programming, complementary disciplines and applied research.

Broadly, the MOU is aimed toward further joint development in the areas of planning, partnerships related to programming and applied research, and capital planning.

More specifically, Okanagan College and BCIT have identified a number of areas in which they could benefit from collaboration. Areas of interest include:

-       building sciences
-       sustainability education
-       fuel alternatives
-       water management
-       energy management
-       commercialization
-       entrepreneurship
-       intellectual property
-       simulation for health programming

Paul Dangerfield, BCIT Vice President of Education, Research and International, welcomed Okanagan College’s Vice President of Education, Dr. Andrew Hay, to the BCIT campus to formalize the agreement.

“BCIT has had the pleasure of working with Okanagan College on several projects which benefit our students, faculty and business partners,” said Dangerfield. “We know that the individual strengths of our two institutions allow us to develop programs and conduct applied research that directly benefits our communities and provincial industries; however, together we will maximize these strengths and leverage the expertise of our faculty while making significant impact in delivering innovative education and applied research solutions.”

“Okanagan College has a valued and important partner in BCIT,” said Hay. “We’ve developed a very good relationship over the years, and this agreement is the next step forward. Colleges and institutes of technology have been recognized both nationally and provincially as having the ability to make a significant positive impact on Canadian business and industry, helping to develop new processes, products and enhance innovation. This impact increases dramatically when we work together, sharing our knowledge and resources.”

News from © iNFOnews, 2013