Adopting Digital Technologies

Economy
Fri, 02/16/2018 - 15:29

The Rural Development Institute’s Adopting Digital Technologies (ADT) pilot project was made possible by funding from the National Research Council.

This project was a true team effort that brought numerous departments and faculty together to help address the technological challenges and opportunities facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Columbia Basin Boundary region.

“For this project, we brought together different fields of technical knowledge within the Selkirk College community together,” says Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development, Dr. Terri MacDonald, with Selkirk College’s Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute.

“For instance, we were able to bring together experts in geospatial technologies with experts in forestry. Having access to these different areas of expertise gives us a unique ability to meet the needs of the businesses that are participating in this project.” Selkirk College worked in partnership with the College of the Rockies and Okanagan College on this pilot project which concluded in February 2013.

The applied research component of this project focused on the role of community colleges in supporting the technology and research and development needs of industry. Canadian colleges are taking a more proactive role in supporting the needs of business. Federal funding through agencies like the National Research Council and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is making this possible.

Digital Technologies are Key to Business Success

Digital technology changes the way we do business, and Selkirk College implemented a 14-month program (January 2013 to February 2014) to help small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop their business, by fulfilling some of the needs that arise in the adoption of digital technologies.

Our overarching aim was to support SMEs in the Columbia Basin Boundary Region so they can boost productivity in support of their growth plans.

Brief Description of the Selkirk-SME Adoption of Digital Technologies (ADT) Pilot Project

Selkirk College implemented the ADT project with funding support through the Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP), delivered by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

Under the ADT project, Selkirk College provided:

  • Specialized needs focused training, workshops and short courses

  • Advisory services from a College-Industry Liaison Officer,

  • Direct support in the adoption of geospatial and digital media technologies that will improve productivity

These services carried no costs for SME recipients.

“One of the goals of Selkirk College’s Rural Development Institute (RDI) is to support innovation and knowledge transfer to SMEs. This project represented a significant step forward in advancing this goal. By connecting faculty technical expertise to SME business needs, Selkirk College is further increasing our ability to have a direct impact on rural economic development in our region.” – Dr. Terri MacDonald, Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development for Selkirk College and Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute.

For more information, please contact Terri MacDonald.

Selkirk SME Advisory Services & Projects

The Selkirk-SME Adoption of Digital Technologies (ADT) Pilot Project provided Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with direct support, technical training business, marketing and technical advisory services aimed helping businesses increase their productivity. We also supported SME projects with several businesses in the adoption of digital technology to provide them with a competitive edge moving forward.

REPORTS

Selkirk-SME ADT Final Report
National Research Council Case Study