Nipissing University-Mitacs partnership to benefit students, businesses
North Bay, ON – Nipissing University has partnered with national not-for-profit organization and innovation powerhouse, Mitacs, to offer high-quality internships for students while supporting the ongoing research and development efforts of businesses. The internships connect businesses with post-secondary students and researchers to solve business challenges through innovation.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Mitacs to bring high-impact experiential learning and career development opportunities to our students at Nipissing University while at the same time supporting innovation in northern Ontario during this challenging time,” said Dr. Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research, Nipissing University.
Two Nipissing University students, Andrew Lundrigan and Megan Pulford, have already taken advantage of the new partnership through Mitacs’ Research Training Awards program. The Awards provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to undertake a short-term paid research training internship at a Canadian host institution. Students receive an opportunity to enhance their skills through interaction with faculty and hands-on research and training experience.
“The opportunity to provide students with research training during the economic downturn will help ensure talented students from Nipissing University contribute to Ontario’s recovery while building skills necessary for Canada’s future innovation,” said Mitacs CEO and Scientific Director John Hepburn.
Student Andrew Lundrigan will be working with professor Dr. David Hemsworth of Nipissing University’s School of Business on a research program to develop a business plan for the manufacture of structurally insulated panels in North Bay, while Megan Pulford will be working with professor Dr. Ali Hatef of the Department of Computer Science in Mathematics on research related to plasmonic photovoltaic devices for solar absorption.
“This exciting new partnership between Mitacs and Nipissing University will mean a whole host of new training and career-development opportunities for students while helping local businesses to innovate,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Experiential and hands-on learning and research will help our graduates prepare themselves for the rapidly-changing job landscape of the future, and ensure they have the skills that will benefit businesses both in our community and beyond.”
“Thanks to this new partnership, Nipissing University students will have access to high-quality, hands-on internships offered through Mitacs, providing them with the skills and experience they need to market themselves to employers after they graduate,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Ontario’s postsecondary institutions work with local and regional industry partners will continue to prepare postsecondary students for the jobs of tomorrow.”
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Contact:
Meghan Venasse
Manager, Communications
Nipissing University
705-474-3450 ext. 4615
meghanv@nipissingu.ca