New Nipissing partnership should offer high-quality internships for students

Nipissing University has partnered with a national not-for-profit organization called Mitacs, to offer high-quality internships for students while supporting the ongoing research and development efforts of businesses. 

The internships connect businesses with post-secondary students and researchers to solve business challenges through innovation, according to a Nipissing news release.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Mitacs to bring high-impact experiential learning and career development opportunities to our students at Nipissing University while at the same time supporting innovation in northern Ontario during this challenging time,” said Dr. Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research.

Two Nipissing University students, Andrew Lundrigan and Megan Pulford, have already taken advantage of the new partnership through Mitacs’ Research Training Awards program. 

The Awards provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to undertake a short-term paid research training internship at a Canadian host institution. Students receive an opportunity to enhance their skills through interaction with faculty and hands-on research and training experience.  

“The opportunity to provide students with research training during the economic downturn will help ensure talented students from Nipissing University contribute to Ontario’s recovery while building skills necessary for Canada’s future innovation,” said Mitacs CEO John Hepburn.

Student Andrew Lundrigan will be working with professor Dr. David Hemsworth of Nipissing University’s School of Business on a research program to develop a business plan for the manufacture of structurally insulated panels in North Bay, while Megan Pulford will be working with professor Dr. Ali Hatef of the Department of Computer Science in Mathematics on research related to plasmonic photovoltaic devices for solar absorption.

“This exciting new partnership between Mitacs and Nipissing University will mean a whole host of new training and career-development opportunities for students while helping local businesses to innovate,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Experiential and hands-on learning and research will help our graduates prepare themselves for the rapidly-changing job landscape of the future, and ensure they have the skills that will benefit businesses both in our community and beyond.”

According to its website, "Mitacs powers research & development by connecting industry with the best post-secondary institutions to solve business challenges — in Canada and internationally. For 20 years, Mitacs has funded cutting-edge research, created job opportunities for graduate students, and helped companies reach their business goals, achieving results that have bolstered the Canadian economy."