Nine million dollars in funding for Fanshawe

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: JESSICA THOMPSON
Peter Fragiskatos, MP for London North Centre (centre), Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Honourable Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier of Ontario and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development (centre).

On Oct. 7, Fanshawe was buzzing with big names in politics.

Of the attendees was Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament (MP) for London North Centre, who announced the $6.2 million joint federal-provincial investment to renew infrastructure at Fanshawe.

Of the $6.2 million, $4 million will come from the federal government and $2.2 million from the government of Ontario. Fanshawe will contribute an additional $2.8 million for a total investment of $9 million.

“This infrastructure investment at Fanshawe College is excellent news for one of Ontario’s largest colleges. Fanshawe has made a commitment to educate, engage, empower and excite, and the Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Biotechnology (CARIB) will do just that,” said Fragiskatos in a press release.

As Fragiskatos said, the funding will support Fanshawe’s establishment of a new centre for biotechnology, which will provide labs and expertise to promote commercialization.

“This makes a research and innovation space become more alive, it’s fantastic for students and equally cool for our industry partners because we work tightly with [them] and this provides a heightened level of research and innovation capabilities for Fanshawe College and the programs we deliver,” said Peter Devlin, president of Fanshawe.

This funding is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Fund, which will “enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities,” according to the press release.

And to celebrate such an advanced innovative, infrastructure, there were countless other political names at the announcement as well.

In addition to Fragiskatos, Kate Young, MP for London West, the Honourable Deb Matthews, Ontario Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Digital Government, London NDP MP Irene Mathyssen and London Mayor Matt Brown were also in attendance.

All of the aforementioned individuals said they were proud to be at the event and also proud to be helping such an influential school.

“This funding will provide students with access to renewed facilities that will advance research in biotechnology, chemistry and environment technology,” said Matthews in a press release. “Providing access to high-quality education and training facilities is part of our government’s plan to build up our highly skilled workforce and see that Ontarians have the required skills to the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

According to the release, the investment will create jobs, expand research and foster innovation; all of which could not come at a better time as Fanshawe approaches its 50th birthday.

“I believe that Fanshawe has such a great reputation that has been developed over the 50 years,” Devlin said. “We look forward to the future with a level of excitement and optimism, excitement because projects like this one that will come alive as we [turn] 50.”