(London, Ontario) – On Thursday, July 11, 2019, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, along with Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, announced a FedDev Ontario contribution of $14 million to expand the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI). This initiative, spearheaded by Niagara College, includes the expertise and facilities of Fanshawe College, Mohawk College, Sheridan College, McMaster University, Conestoga College and Lambton College.
With new funding, SONAMI will expand through the addition of three new post-secondary institutions and allow companies to connect to a broader range of expertise and knowledge in areas such as bio-industrial manufacturing, green product manufacturing and “Industry 4.0” technologies, including digitally enabled and intelligent manufacturing. Fanshawe College will receive $1.1 million over five years to support regional manufacturers in their pursuit of innovative and forward-thinking processes.
It is expected that the growing network will provide technical knowledge and expertise to another 240 businesses over five years as they work to commercialize new products and improve productivity. The project will create and maintain 552 permanent jobs and provide skills training and development for up to 360 students and researchers, preparing young Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
“Fanshawe is excited to partner with the SONAMI network and looks forward to supporting the research and innovation needs of our industry partners,” says Dan Douglas, dean for the Centre of Research and Innovation at Fanshawe College.
Industry partners interested in accessing expertise and discussing project ideas relating to testing and validation or in the areas of additive manufacturing, flexible manufacturing, high productivity manufacturing and industrial internet are encouraged to connect with The Centre for Research and Innovation at Fanshawe College.
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For further information, please contact:
Karrie Burke
Communications Officer
Fanshawe College
519-452-4493
kburke@fanshawec.ca
About Fanshawe’s Centre for Research and Innovation
The Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) is Fanshawe College's Research Office and Industry Innovation Centre (IIC). CRI links industry, business and community partners with Fanshawe student and faculty researchers to develop research and innovation projects and programs and serves as the College's liaison to external funders.
About FedDev Ontario
FedDev Ontario delivers programs and services to support innovation and economic growth in southern Ontario—Canada’s most populous region. They are a federal institution that is part of the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio.
