On July 11, the Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt) welcomed representatives from the state government of Victoria, Australia, to share ideas about applied research and skills development. Tim Ada, Secretary of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Victoria, and Mary Ann Jones, Senior Director Investment of the Americas from the Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office in New York, were keen to explore how Canadian post-secondary institutions like George Brown College (GBC) are leading the charge in integrating industry engagement with academic research, and how these strategies can be applied within the Victorian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Network. The tour was led by Dr. Krista Holmes, GBC’s Associate Vice-President of Research & Innovation and Candace Mascarenhas, FIRSt’s Lab Operations Manager.
Turning learning into opportunity
As one of Canada’s top research colleges, George Brown helps shape the future of industries and communities. FIRSt is part of the college’s broader Research & Innovation Product Development portfolio that works to develop new and improved products from concept to commercialization. The portfolio also includes Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping (AMP) and Fashion Innovation and Textile Technology (FITT).
The Australian delegation enjoyed seeing the state-of-the-art facilities and partnership between academia and industry in action. FIRSt serves as a hub for cutting-edge research and is also as a training ground where students gain valuable experience on real-world projects.
TAFE Victoria
The TAFE Victoria Network of public post-secondary institutions represents a network of 16 leading training providers, including 12 TAFE institutes and four dual-sector universities whose focus is applied skills development.
Much like Ontario, the state of Victoria is brimming with arts, culture, and a world-class food scene. The state of Victoria is renowned for its wine country in the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley, as well as the cafe and restaurant culture of its urban centre, Melbourne. Many of Australia's culinary greats hail from the area, including Chefs Stephanie Alexander and Curtis Stone.
Educational partnerships in applied research
Following the tour, discussions delved into funding mechanisms, industry outreach, and strategies for enhancing post-secondary education's role in workforce development in Ontario and Victoria.
The Australian delegation, including Secretary Ada, expressed admiration for GBC’s model, noting its potential to inform policies back home under the National Skills Agreement. “The work in Canada in this space is really excellent and there is much to learn,” Jones said.
The meeting underscored the importance of cross-border knowledge exchange in fostering innovation-driven economies. As Canada and Australia seek to strengthen their ties in education and industry, initiatives such as this visit lay a solid foundation for future collaborations and mutual growth.
"Today's visit marks a significant step in fostering global partnerships in food and beverage product development research and innovation,” Holmes said. "The ability of college research programs to meet industry needs and solve challenges is vital for training skilled graduates with workforce-ready skills, here in Toronto, and globally."
Learn more about the Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt) and Research & Innovation at GBC.
