From idea to innovation

Executive Director Ronald Layden at the opening

Why commercialize research? This was the question asked by Ronald Layden at the official opening of the Industry Liaison and Innovation Office. Layden, the Office's Executive Director, explained the benefits of commercializing research and Dalhousie's involvement in assisting the private sector through the work of the Industry Liaison and Innovation Office.

"We help to ensure that brilliant discoveries are further developed to serve society," he said, adding that when Dalhousie extends its expertise to industries in Atlantic Canada, everyone wins. "These partnerships generate research dollars, create jobs and strengthen the economy."

Dalhousie's National Research Council - Industry Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) is managed by the Industry Liaison and Innovation Office at Dalhousie. The program is a liaison service between Dalhousie and private industry, helping small and medium-sized businesses to compete and grow.

The program gives these companies the opportunity to get science and technology assistance from leading researchers at Dalhousie. Researchers here benefit from working on current and challenging industry problems, and developing relationships with companies.

The Industry Liaison and Innovation Office is the front door for linking the academic community and private industry opportunities, ensuring that those brilliant discoveries develop past the idea stage, into real research and tangible applications.