Niagara College named top research college in Canada: report

Niagara College has earned top marks for its research funding as has been named the number one research college in Canada in 2022.

The report released by Canada’s innovation leaders places Niagara College as the top in the country for the second time in less than five years and secures its ninth year straight in the top 10.

The rankings were determined from data provided by figures from Research Infosource that were based on total research numbers in 2022.

Marc Nantel serves as vice president of the school’s research, innovation and strategic enterprises. He says it is the number one ranking and the consistency near the top that helps the school stand out when attracting future students.

“It says, ‘they have to have their act together’. We’re a middle size college, but we can really hit with the big boys, so to speak. And so when a student is considering where they’re going to do their studies, they may look at that as a sign of quality.

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Niagara College is home to four innovation centres: business and commercialization, food and beverage, horticulture and environmental sciences and advanced manufacturing.

These centres work alongside small and medium sized businesses in research, innovation and development at the school.

Food and beverage scientific manager Ana Cristina Vega-Lugo says researchers work with businesses throughout the entire process.

“They have an idea but they have no clue how to make it real; how to actually bring it to market. So we help them from the beginning and it might be they need a little bit more time to and we are there to support them.”

While much of the research conducted at the school remains confidential, officials highlighted a partnership with Miski brewing in developing a gluten-free, organic beer set to be the first of its kind in North America.

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In addition to bringing in more than $32 million in funding, the research innovation centre looks to provide students with real-world, hands-on experiences.

Chevell Clarke is a research assistant and student at the culinary innovation and food technology program who is working on a dairy alternative for cheese products.
Clarke says that when she was choosing colleges, it was Niagara’s reputation that stood out.

“A lot of colleges only give you the theoretical aspect. When you get into the work environment you really can’t do anything. But with this program, it’s given me a lot of the technical aspects that I need to have success.”

The school also finished as number one for completed research projects at a mid-size college with a total of 208.