How does an innovation move from the lab to the marketplace? And how do companies introduce new products and technologies to the public?

In many cases, it’s through researchers and industry joining forces.

Here’s how it works: while faculty and graduate students offer engineering research expertise, business acumen and an inside track on technologies of the future, industry partners can provide the manufacturing, testing facilities and market experience to take engineering innovations to the next level. Needless to say, the symbiotic relationship between U of T Engineers and companies is an important one – a relationship that resonates in Canada and the world.

That’s why on November 19, the Faculty held a reception to both thank its industry partners, and welcome new collaborators.

“The opportunities and initiatives that have sprung from [partnerships] are manifold – from our work with small startups, to our partnerships with larger companies like IBM, Hatch, GE Healthcare, Eco-Tec, Pratt & Whitney, Qualcomm and many others with us this evening,” said Dean Cristina Amon.

The reception – the first of its kind to take place at a Faculty-wide level within U of T Engineering – was put together by the Faculty’s research committee, led by Professor Ted Sargent (ECE), Vice-Dean, Research. The event is one of many efforts by U of T Engineering to further cultivate industry partnerships; earlier this month, the Faculty welcomed Dr. Marcius Extavour (EngSci 0T2 + PEY) to the newly established role of Director of Corporate Partnerships.

The number of industrial partnerships at U of T Engineering currently stands at a lengthy list of nearly 150, while contributions from industry is nearly four times what it was in 2001-2002.

“Our research is inherently exciting. But it’s more exciting if it has impact,” said Professor Sargent at the reception, which was attended by many faculty leaders, partners, as well as Peter Lewis, U of T’s Associate Vice President, Research. “That impact is made possible through collaboration.”

One such example is the partnership with IBM Canada. U of T is currently working with the company on the Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Platform. The goal: to create a state-of-the-art computing infrastructure to solve critical problems related to cities, healthcare, water, energy and computing innovation.

There to speak more about it was Pat Horgan, Vice President, Manufacturing, Development and Operations for IBM Canada.

“One of the best things we’ve done is bring light to the leading research in Canada,” said Horgan. “We have an opportunity to do really important things here, and we have the opportunity to do something new.”