PARTNER PROFILE BARRETT CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
NEWSLETTER
MAY 2019
KUKA Canada Inc.’s partnership with Humber College focuses on bringing the latest robotics technology to the Barrett CTI. KUKA will dedicate the next five years to working with Humber students on robotics systems and integration platforms. KUKA is a leading global supplier of intelligent automation solutions and offers its customers everything from a single source: from robots and cells to fully automated systems. KUKA’s lab features two state-of-the-art and Industry 4.0-ready collaborative robots, complementing the college’s extensive collection of robotic technology. The partnership also brings virtual reality and simulation technology to the Centre to assist small-and medium-sized enterprises to develop applications requiring vision or conveyor tracking technology.
Pictured above (L-R): Bogdan Malynovskyy, Humber student; Neal Mohammed, director, Barrett CTI; Anthony Longo, chair, Humber Board of Governors; Chris Whitaker, president, Humber College; Francine Rouleau-Barrett, co-founder, The Barrett Family Foundation; Bob Barrett, president, Polytainers and co-founder of The Barrett Family Foundation; The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport and MP for Etobicoke-North; The Honourable Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities; Mateusz Cwalinski, Humber student.
The Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation welcomes the future of education Designed to inspire innovation, support skills development and promote STEAM outreach, the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation (Barrett CTI) officially opened its doors in April 2019, providing opportunity for students, faculty and industry to collaborate and solve real-world problems.
The new KUKA Advanced Automation Lab in the Barrett CTI.
“By collaborating with students, faculty, industry and the other founding partners of the Barrett CTI, we have the ability to influence the direction of where the industry is going. As a company that is involved in leading-edge technology, we see this as a great contribution that we can make and benefit from at the same time,” says Ed Manera, General Manager for KUKA Canada Inc. PROFILE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
This 93,000-square-foot facility is located at Humber’s North Campus and builds on the college’s expertise in areas such as automation, robotics, system integration, user experience testing, applied research and work-integrated learning. With equipment that is unique to North America, key features include interactive technology zones, digital media studios, cutting-edge prototyping and maker spaces, open concept gathering spaces and demonstration areas for new products and technologies. “Projects and work within the Barrett CTI will address the skills gap by providing next generation learning in smart and collaborative spaces to prepare students for the workforce of the future, while enhancing our leadership in polytechnic education,” says Chris Whitaker, Humber president. “This centre is also a destination for organizations of all sizes in all sectors to work with faculty and students to test new technologies, conduct applied research, and provide solutions-based thinking to help them be globally competitive,” adds Whitaker. ARTICLE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
humber.ca/barrettcti
PROFILE CONTINUED ARTICLE CONTINUED The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport and MP for Etobicoke North; and The Honourable Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities helped to celebrate the Barrett CTI grand opening. “Humber is building important relationships. They provide insights into what employers need and what they are looking for…This is the future and it is happening right here,” said Fullerton. When asked about her first impressions of the Barrett CTI, Duncan said, “If we want to build the future of this community and the future of Canada, we need to invest in innovation and our people. Through this Centre and areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, virtual reality — students are going to have the cutting-edge skills needed to be employed and to build Canada.” From the building infrastructure to new technology and equipment, Humber has received support from many stakeholders to help the college take a bold step in building a brighter future for students and the community. The $10-million investment from The Barrett Family Foundation to establish the Barrett CTI is the largest private donation in Humber’s history. This commitment also supports student awards and scholarships, skills mentorship programs and equipment and technology. “We started working with Humber in order to help young people in Canada train for the careers of tomorrow though applied, hands-on learning. We are proud to have been the catalyst to bring about this building and the network of partners that Humber has cultivated. We are amazed at how well Humber has gone about realizing the dream we created together,” said Bob Barrett, founder, The Barrett Family Foundation and president and CEO, Polytainers. Additional funding was provided by the Government of Canada which contributed $15.5-million from the Post-Secondary Strategic Investment Fund, and the Government of Ontario, which supported the purchase of key equipment within the building through $1.55-million from the College Equipment and Renewal Fund. Humber is working with eight leading industry partners to train students and employees of Canadian companies to advance their skills and the future of technological innovation. Each organization brings new technologies and opportunities to the Barrett CTI, as founding members of Humber’s Advanced Manufacturing Skills Consortium.
Through this partnership, KUKA will participate in applied research projects and provide awards and scholarships for students, named the KUKA Awards. The company will also work with the college to develop education to employment pathways and recruitment opportunities for Humber students and graduates. “KUKA knows that Industry 4.0 and digitization is a rapidly growing area, and we’re working towards a future in which humans and machines work together safely and efficiently,” says Manera. “Partnering with Humber is an example of our progressive thinking and aggressive approach to innovation. We’re excited to work with students and faculty to help find next generation solutions, so we can continue to serve our industry and customers in ways that exceed their expectations.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Humber is honouring Indigenous voices and experiences with the second installation of the college’s Indigenous Cultural Markers (ICMs). The ICM in the Barrett CTI was designed by Anishinaabe architect Ryan Gorrie and helps place the college in the context of the long history of Indigenous peoples in what is now called the Greater Toronto Area.
Neal Mohammed, CTI Director said that the opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in the Centre will help students excel and reach new levels of potential. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students succeed in the classroom and in their careers. Our polytechnic model prioritizes student and faculty collaboration with industry and the wider community. This gives students real-world experience and helps to make them career-ready,” said Mohammed. Opening ceremony event images can be found here. More information about the Barrett CTI industry partners can be found here.
The Barrett CTI’s Indigenous Cultural Markers installation.