Vancouver, British Columbia — Canadians will benefit from improved product safety and pre-manufacturing product innovation thanks to an investment by Canada’s New Government for a new Advanced Prototyping Hub at the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT).

Through Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada’s New Government is investing $996,300 in BCIT toward the purchase of equipment to establish a new advanced prototype hub and improve the Institute’s technology commercialization capacity. The equipment will also be used to develop “total solutions” to safety and product development issues in a variety of product sectors.

“Through investments in science and technology, Canada’s New Government is delivering on its commitment to give Canadians an advantage to succeed,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “Enabling Canadians to turn their ideas into a reality will give us a competitive edge in the global economy. “

“Our investments represent a partnership between researchers and Canada’s New Government,” said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry. “A partnership aimed at commercializing research into innovative technologies that improve the quality of life for all Canadians.”

"This support enables BCIT to take its existing prototyping capability to the next level,” said Dr. Jim Reichert, BCIT’s Vice-President of Research and International. “The development of enhanced prototyping capabilities within the Advanced Prototyping Hub will increase our capacity to provide effective problem solving and product development support to businesses and industries wishing to access BCIT’s applied research expertise."

As a key part of BCIT’s plan to establish a Centre of Applied Research and Advanced studies, the new Advanced Prototyping Hub consists of two platforms that will enhance BCIT’s ability to characterize and test the efficacy of new products in areas such as biotechnology, non-timber forestry products and the growing field of natural health products.

The bio-products safety assessment platform will include liquid and gas chromatography equipment, a DNA microarray scanner, and a laboratory information management system.

The integrated design/machine platform will include a lathe, miling machine and associated computer design and simulation software. Work done through this platform will support industry research in information technology, health technology, engineering technology, renewable energy and manufacturing processes.

This investment builds on BCIT’s more than fifteen years of work in applied research and technology commercialization, and will allow researchers to develop prototypes for their private industry clients.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.

For additional information, contact:

Karl Yeh
Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (604) 666-4714

Allison Markin
Communications Manager
BCIT
Tel: (604) 432-8773
Web site: www.bcit.ca