Director’s Note

Posted on Monday, July 15th, 2013

Not an imaginative title, but certainly accurate. This will be the first of a series of blogs that will be published by the Office of Applied Research and Innovation. The intent of the blogs is to inform, entertain, anger, encourage, advocate and stimulate the grey matter of the bloggers and readers. In this initial blog I will introduce you to the Applied Research Program at Algonquin College.

I’m supposed to provide a picture with this blog, but I will script one instead. Imagine you are looking for support for developing or improving a product, process or service for your company. Success will enable you to lower costs, increase sales, improve client relations, improve staff engagement … You find out that you may be able to receive assistance from Algonquin College and its Office of Applied Research and Innovation (ARI) and think to yourself: “Self, I’m going to go to Algonquin and find out what is possible!”.

You call the ARI number (613-727-4723 x2429) and are pleased to be speaking to a cheerful lady with a lovely Irish lilt, Carmel, our Administrative Coordinator, who helps you make an appointment to meet with John, the Project Manager of our Design Centre, Algonquin grad and longest serving ARI staffer. At the appointed time you arrive at the College and, following the excellent directions provided, park in the ARI dedicated parking spot. You enter A-Building, ease a short way down the hallway and enter the ARI office (A-144). You are greeted by Danielle, our Junior Administrative Assistant and Cape Breton import, who offers you refreshments while you wait for your appointment. While you are waiting, Tina, our Project Coordinator and Shanghai connection, walks by and stops to welcome you to the office and ask about your company.

John comes in and takes you to his office where you meet Kevin, Project Manager for our Health and Wellness Research Centre and proud Algonquin grad (year undisclosed), and Riccardo, Project Manager of our Full Spectra Centre and budding inventor. After a pleasant and informative meeting with John, he introduces you to Katherine who job shares with Riccardo and is our biotech expert. You go back to the main office to collect your coat and are introduced to Mark, the office Director and phraseology coiner. If you are a student you would also meet Alex M, the Student Entrepreneurship Coordinator and serial entrepreneur. A walk to the College’s new Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence would have brought you to Alex Y, the Project Manager, Construction Research Centre and high energy electrical engineer. A trip to Pembroke would involve meeting Julie, our Project Officer for the Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley and environmental advocate, while a drive due west to Perth would bring you to Kerry, Project Manager for the Algonquin College Heritage Institute and sustainability champion. The team is rounded out by Teri, Budget Office and financier extraordinaire, and Olivia our Social Media guru who made this blog possible.

So, I trust you enjoyed your visit and look forward to the next one where you will be introduced to pitches.

-Mark Hoddenbagh
Director of Applied Research and Innovation

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