Red River College

6 www.rrc.ca/appliedresearch Saturday, February 22, 2014 A DECADE OF 2004-2014 inking of how to use student resources and research skills to help local business means looking at applied research in a different way. And, as usual, a new vision requires doing some homework. "I began with a benchmark study to look at what colleges and universities in Canada, the United States and Europe were doing in the areas of applied business research," explains Brkic. "I looked at our student body, too, and thought about what would be good value for our students. We have students here from all over the world who bring skills and business connections with them that are largely untapped." One area that Brkic examined was the lack of information about pertinent technologies, solutions, trends, and market opportunities in foreign countries that is available to small- and medium-sized enterprises. "Numerous studies have shown that a major reason that smaller businesses don't enter international markets is because of the high cost of gathering the global business intelligence needed to make strategic expansion decisions. ey don't know the markets or the competition or the government regulations that might affect them. is is research we can do." With students from 15 different countries enrolled in the international business program, this research focus was a perfect match. e project combined the knowledge that the students brought from their home countries, the information and skills the students could learn through the research project, and the resources they could offer the local business community. Brkic chose the renewable energy field as the first research focus. e college is conducting applied research on whether concentrated solar power will work in Manitoba's harsh climate, so, with financial support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the study began with solar energy. e students researched concentrated solar power businesses in four continents to develop reports that looked at markets, competition, supply chain, barriers to entry, government policies, and technology applications. e comprehensive report involved over 70 students. Fiy students put the reports together and the other 20 took the reports to small businesses. "e students shared research results with local environmental industries stakeholders to see if it was something they would like to investigate for a different sector," says Brkic. "We received the most interest from the geo-thermal sector, so now the students are working on a project in that field. e students consulted the businesses to get their opinion on the value of the information to their operations." Students developed communications skills and also had the opportunity to grow a network of business contacts that have seen the quality of their work and who can help them find jobs aer graduation. "Making business intelligence research a part of our program benefits everyone," explains Brkic. "We have the opportunity to create networks of cooperative businesses; our students can supply affordable research, gathering strategic business intelligence that small- to medium-sized companies might not have access to, or are unable to afford. In April 2013, the project was presented at the annual Polytechnics Canada Applied Research Showcase in Calgary. Entitled, Global Business Intelligence for Renewable Energy Solutions, the project was represented by a team of six RRC students with the support and guidance of advisors with Applied Research & Commercialization at RRC. e college made a strong showing in their first competitive venture as a polytechnic. e Honourable Jason Kenny described the students and their project in his speech as an excellent example of how immigrants can add value to the Canadian workforce. T 0 25 50 75 100 3C 4C 50K 50C 41M 41Y Job Number: BOEG_BCAG_IMG_5793N_A Client: Boeing Date: 11/7/13 File Name: BOEG_BCAG_IMG_5793N_A Output Printed at: 100% Fonts: Helvetica Neue 65 Media: Winnipeg Free Press Space/Color: Page — 4 Color — Non-bleed Live: Trim: 5.75 in. x 10.75 in. Bleed: Gutter: Production Artist: S. Bowman Retoucher: GCD: P. Serchuk Creative Director: P. Serchuk Art Director: J. Alexander Copy Writer: P. Serchuk Print Producer: Account Executive: D. McAuliffe Client: Boeing Proof Reader: Legal: Traffi c Manager: Patty Lee Digital Artist: Art Buyer: Vendor: Color Inc. Product: Commercial Airplane Company Approved Date/Initials PUBLICATION NOTE: Guideline for general identifi cation only. Do not use as insertion order. Material for this insertion is to be examined carefully upon receipt. If it is defi cient or does not comply with your requirements, please contact: Print Production at 310-601-1485. Frontline Communications Partners 1880 Century Park East, Suite 1011, Los Angeles, CA 90067 5.75 in. Trim 10.75 in. Trim At Boeing Winnipeg, we're proud to be the largest composite manufacturer in Canada and a leading-edge, tier-one supplier to the revolutionary 787 Dreamliner. We're equally proud to be a top employer and vital member of the greater Manitoba community, celebrating more than 40 years of building innovation and opportunity across Canada. DOT SHAPE LINE SCREEN DMAX RESOLUTION Line : 2400 Graphic : 300 SCREEN ANGLES YEL MAG CYAN BLK 90˚ 45˚ 105˚ 75˚ DIGITAL PROOF SPECS. DIGITAL FILES SPECS. YEL MAG CYN BLK PMS PMS BOEG_BCAG_IMG_5793N_A Date: 11.12.13 69861ID02r0_A_ISO30.indd PDF x1a 220 85 RSR ICTAM congratulates RRC on 10 successful years of applied research. www.ictam.ca atjana Brkic, Business Applied Research Faculty Lead, Applied Commerce and Management Education (ACME) at Red River College (RRC), wanted to find a way for international business students to engage in research and to also contribute to the community. "When people think of the words applied research, they think of inventing a new machine. Why not have it mean finding a new way to market a product outside of Canada?" Congratulations on 10 years of Applied Research! The Winnipeg Construction Association is your source for construction information services, advocacy, education & more. www.winnipegconstruction.ca • 1447 Waverley Street • 204.775.8664 STuDENTS BRING INTERNATIONAL BuSINESS INTELLIGENCE TO MANITOBA FIRMS THROuGH APPLIED RESEARCH Manitoba Chapter Canada Green Building Council Our vision: A sustainable built environment in Manitoba. (204) 943-1023 | admin@mbcagbc.org Congratulations to Red River College on 10 years of applied research! Helping Manufacturers grow their business. LET'S TALK! WWW.DARETOCOMPETE.CA | 204.949.1454 From le: Brent Wennekes, Tatjana Brkic, Manas Chopra, Ana Priscila Eichstaedt, Pryank Chaudhary, Jing Zhang, Jenny Wang, Aman Sexena at the Polytechnics Canada 2013 Student Applied Research Showcase. www.rrc.ca/appliedresearch

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