Government Launches Private Sector Research and Development Co-operative Employment Program

A new provincial program will stimulate private sector innovation and provide on the job research and development opportunities for Nova Scotia university students.

The $250,000 Research and Development Co-operative Employment Program was announced at Acadia University in Wolfville today, Sept. 25, by Economic Development Minister Richard Hurlburt.

"Matching university students with private sector companies will help increase our competitiveness in the global marketplace," said Mr. Hurlburt. "The opportunity for students to contribute their knowledge and to experience the relationship between economic development and innovation, is essential to growing our future work force."

Innovation and development are key to ensuring global competitiveness. Programs such as the Research and Development Co-operative Employment Program contribute to a sustainable and prosperous business climate for the province.

"Acadia University recognizes the immense value and experiential learning opportunity that co-operative education provides," said Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, president and vice-chancellor of Acadia University. "This new funding program will allow Nova Scotia businesses and institutions to provide university students with quality, high-paying research positions and benefit from their emerging expertise."

University students must be enrolled in co-operative programs through science, business and engineering, while private sector companies must be engaged in research and development in order to participate in this program.

"This program will benefit companies that require technical expertise in a range of disciplines, and will offer students exposure to world-class, leading-edge scientific investigations," said Jean-Paul Deveau, president, Acadian Seaplants Limited. "The program will be instrumental in moving Nova Scotia innovation from the lab to the marketplace, and thus helping to create sustainable prosperity."