Yukon Research Centre ranked 4th in Canada

WHITEHORSE – Yukon College’s research efforts have been recognized. The Yukon Research Centre (YRC) is ranked 4th in Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges in the category of research income, preceded only by SAIT Polytechnic, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and College of the North Atlantic.

The Yukon Research Centre’s 2012 research income increased by 5.4%, totaling $5,385,000, according to Research Infosource Inc.

As the research arm of Yukon College, the Yukon Research Centre focuses on collaborative research with students, communities, first nations, industry and local government. The YRC has tripled its staff over the last four years and research has grown in the areas of mine site restoration and bioremediation, cold climate and technology innovation, climate change and the social science of resource development in the Arctic.

In 2012, the YRC received funding from a number of federal agencies including the Natural Resources and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC). NSERC recognized YRC with a number of awards including the prestigious Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Mine Life Cycle. 

“NSERC funding is a feather in our cap but equally important is the additional funding from our local governments, industrial and community partnerships,” said Yukon College President, Dr. Karen Barnes. “It is local support that validates the importance of our research and affirms that we’re on target for developing solutions to northern problems.”

Last year YRC established a number of research partnerships in the Yukon including with: the Yukon Energy Corporation (hydro security project), Northwestel (alternative energy for remote telecommunications sites), and the Yukon Producers Group (water treatment).

Not only is the YRC a going concern locally, both nationally and internationally it’s causing raised eyebrows and significant interest, with calls regularly from across the country from would-collaborators and with requests to share research findings internationally.

“The funding support that the Yukon Research Centre has received demonstrates the centre’s significance on the international stage,” said Premier Darrell Pasloski. “Fostering northern-focused research and innovation is important for the Yukon government and the centre plays a key role in expanding the knowledge industry and in developing technologies that provide sustainable solutions for sub-Arctic regions around the world.”

“As the original Chair of the Association of Canadian Community College Task Force on Research and Innovation in Canadian Colleges, I am impressed with the progress Yukon College has made in its research growth in a few short years,” said Ron Woodward, President Emeritus of Red Deer College, Alberta. “For a small rural college to be ranked number four in research spending is a credit to the College staff who have made this happen. Congratulations on this incredible achievement.”

Yukon College’s strategic plan has identified the importance of expanding northern research and innovation opportunities to which student involvement is key. YRC staff are committed to building student positions into research funding applications. The previous summer field season saw a considerable increase in Yukon College student employment. Students will continue to see employment and training opportunities at the Yukon Research Centre that will expand beyond the summer months and into the school year.

The Yukon Research Centre (YRC) at Yukon College has seven key programs: Biodiversity Monitoring, Cold Climate Innovation, Northern Climate ExChange, NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Mine Life Cycle, Technology Innovation, Science Adventures, and Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic. Core funding for the Yukon Research Centre is provided by Yukon Education and Yukon Economic Development.