Camosun College launches world-class Babcock Canada Interaction Lab
VICTORIA, BC | October 24, 2017 – Camosun College and Babcock Canada joined forces today in an exciting virtual reality ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new Babcock Canada Interaction Lab at the college’s Interurban campus.
“Babcock Canada relies on skilled technicians and tradespeople to design, build, and maintain complex technology which plays an important role in Canada and BC’s marine industry and the economy,” says Babcock Canada President Mike Whalley. “We are proud to support the Interaction Lab, which will promote learning and skills development to help meet the needs of the future workforce.”
The Interaction Lab helps to position Camosun College as the Pacific coastal region’s leading technology, applied research and learning hub to support local industry and to ensure that the next generation of students and workers are equipped with the skills and experience necessary for real-world success.
“We are proud to partner with Babcock Canada to launch the exciting new Interaction Lab,” says Camosun College President Sherri Bell. “Today is a true milestone moment for Camosun, as we build upon our core strength of applied learning to advance our unique culture of collaboration, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral partnerships and support for local industry.”
The Interaction Lab has enormous possibility for Camosun. The vision is to expand the possibilities of new and innovative applied learning experiences to a wide range of students and faculty. The Lab is an enabler—a technically advanced physical space where students, faculty and staff from diverse disciplines can use cutting-edge technology such as 3D printers, robotic systems, and 3D scanners to turn their ideas into market-ready innovations.
“The Interaction Lab has landed at the doorstep of Camosun College,” says Dr. Tim Walzak, Director of Camosun Innovates. “It’s a game-changer for applied learning, interdisciplinary research, and innovation that will drive forward regional economic development with our industry partners.”
The Interaction Lab is housed within the Camosun Innovates department which includes British Columbia’s only Technology Access Centre – part of a network of 30 such centres nationwide. On December 6, 2016, Babcock Canada announced an investment of $800,000 for Camosun College’s TRADEMark of Excellence campaign (which successfully raised $7.5 million) to support next generation specialized equipment in the new future-focused Interaction Lab that bears its name. The new lab helps to advance Camosun’s focus on coastal skills, and will contribute to the growth of BC’s unique coastal communities and the associated career opportunities.
Camosun Innovates receives funding from national bodies including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Western Economic Diversification Canada (WED) and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Working with local industry, Camosun Innovates provides research services including industrial prototyping, innovations for athletes of diverse abilities, environmental protection, and technology to streamline business processes—all helping local industry prosper. The result is marketplace innovation, improved human performance, enhanced economic diversity, and social innovation.
For more information, please visit the Camosun Innovates website.
