Service du développement institutionnel et de la recherche novembre 2011

1. College Research in Quebec Service du développement institutionnel et de la recherche novembre 2011

2. Research is integrated into the culture of cégeps • Research in the college system is a living practice that is multisectoral and high quality. • Since the creation of cégeps in 1967-68, research has not ceased to exist and has received official recognition in 1993, taking its place in the mission of cégeps (Law of colleges)

3. College research: a new beginning Since the early 2000s, after difficulties during the second half of the 90s, college research has had a new beginning (Faucher and Piché, 2009; Piché, 2011): • Government policies have announced measures to help college researchers and to ensure the development of College Centres for Technology Transfer (CCTT); • Funds are specifically intended to support teaching for college researchers; • Granting agencies are launching new subsidy programs specifically dedicated to the colleges; • MELS and MDEIE have considerably raised the amounts allocated to college research.

4. College research: a new beginning Impacts to the college system: • These measures have helped to restart college research, particularly research in the CCTT: we are seeing a rapid increase in the number of College Centres for Technology Transfer; • Between 2000 and 2009, there has been a sharp increase in the number of colleges that have adopted institutional policies that are linked to research; • The latest bibliometric measures in Web of Knowledge for 2009-2010 show a considerable increase in the number of research publications of college researchers

5. Disciplinary research • Promotes the development of researchers and increases the knowledge of teachers and therefore the students. • Provides a link between cégeps and universities. • Promotes the influence of colleges in their communities. • Affects different spheres: the environment, information technology and communication, natural resources, arts and literature, culture, religion and civilizations, etc.

6. Research in education • Provides support to the educational practice of new teachers; • Improves the quality of teaching and student success; • As many as 450 research projects in education have been conducted over the years by faculty and professional members of colleges, and subsidized by the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sport.

7. Technological research • Through the College Centres for Technology Transfer (CCTT), over time cégeps have become the ideal setting for technological research in Quebec. • Currently, 46 CCTT, each linked to a cégep, are grouped within the Transtech Network, which has over 600 professionals in science and technology • Currently, 46 CCTT each attached to a college, grouped within the Network and Transtech which has over 600 professionals in science and technology. • Research and development occurs in many high-tech sectors, ranging from aerospace to advanced transportation, through biotechnology, metallurgy and optics and photonics, among others.

8. Description of the CCTT • Confirmed by a legal basis, since 1983 the College Centres for Technology Transfer (CCTT) are organizations recognized by the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports (MERS), in consultation with the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade (MEDIT), and are under the responsibility of the cégeps.

9. Mandates of a CCTT (1 of 3) To practice, in a particular field, applied research activities, technical assistance to business and information to help develop and carry out technological innovation projects, implementation and dissemination of new technologies.

10. Mandates of a CCTT (2 of 3) Ensure that SMEs and large enterprises receive useful assistance in various stages of a process of change in technology: • Technological transfer; • Research-oriented design of a new product or a new production process; • Technical assistance to facilitate the implementation of changes in business and to ensure punctual assistance. The CCTT contribute to the technological and economic development of Quebec.

11. Mandates of a CCTT (3 of 3) To contribute, through their activities, a connection between businesses and colleges. Significant impact on scientific and technical training, ensuring a better match between the needs of labour and specialized training.

12. Innovative social practices • Since 2008, the CCTT can also be recognized for carrying out their mission in fields involving innovative social practices. • The CCTT-ISP are composed of transfer agents and research development. With the ultimate goal of social development, they are places of applied interdisciplinary research aimed at: • Meeting the needs of user environments and • Problem solving and social issues expressed by these environments.

13. Research at Collège Édouard-Montpetit • Expansion of the mandate of the Service of Institutional Development to include the research component and to provide support to research activities of the College; • Development of both policies and a directive to supervise research at CEM; • Obtaining eligibility from the College to research funds from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); • Filing an application for eligibility to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

14. Research at Collège Édouard-Montpetit Portrait 2010-2011 • 3 grant applications submitted to NSERC of establishment (2 obtained for a total value of $2,440,000 and one pending); • 6 Requests for researchers obtained or renewed at the provincial level (1 FRQ-NT, two FRQ-SC, 3 MELS); • 1 Request for a researcher obtained at the federal level (SSHRC); • 5 research projects financially supported by the College.

15. Fields of research at Collège Édouard-Montpetit • Social sciences comprise the largest number of researchers. • The second area comprising most researchers is that of science and technology. • This is followed by the arts and humanities, and finally, the field of health.

16. Qualified researchers • 71% of researchers from Collège Édouard-Montpetit hold university degrees including graduate research (master, doctoral and postdoctoral).