FedNor is funding two new three-year positions in AI, software development and computer programming at Confederation College.
THUNDER BAY — The federal government is providing Confederation College with nearly $378,000 in funding to support technological innovation.
Marcus Powlowski, Liberal MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River, announced the funding from FedNor – the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – Friday at the college.
With $337,745, FedNor will help the college create two new three-year positions: business development manager in applied research and lead researcher in computer science.
A news release from FedNor said the funding “will help provide new and expanded knowledge to Confederation College’s office of Applied Research and Innovation in the areas of software development, artificial intelligence (AI) and computer programming.”
It will also help the college office “in the field of research, commercialization and development services” to foster small and medium-size businesses in the region, the release said.
The funding is timely and important as “the world is rapidly going AI,” said Powlowski, who made Friday’s announcement on behalf of Thunder Bay-Superior North MP and Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu.
“I think it’s taken a lot of us by surprise. It didn’t exist a few years ago and suddenly it’s, like, changing the world. You Google something and you get an AI answer.
“And, really, I think it’s a fundamentally important change that’s occurred in the world and it’s important that Thunder Bay and Canada be part of that transition.”
Powlowski said FedNor’s funding “is an investment in helping Confederation College to be involved in research in computer science and AI here in Thunder Bay, but also (to) teach that whole new generation of kids that are going to be entering the workforce the kind of necessary skills to work in those areas.”
The funding is provided through FedNor’s Regional Growth Through Innovation Fund.
“Northern Ontario grows stronger when local partners bring new ideas and build lasting partnerships,” Hajdu is quoted as saying in the FedNor release.
“To build on this strength, Canada is investing in projects that spark creativity across industries — helping businesses tackle today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s economy. A resilient northern Ontario is one that keeps building for the future.”
“We’re very excited, and it’s very important to us because we provide a lot of support to small businesses who want to develop and innovate, and they can’t do that necessarily on their own,” college president Michelle Salo told Newswatch.
“But it also really helps our students in terms of being able to use the skills that they’re learning in the classroom (in) real-world projects.”