INNOVATION AND R&D
Growing Forward
The Valley is experiencing exciting developments in agri-business, agri-tech and horticulture, smart building design, green energy financing, data analytics, and the use of topographic-bathymetric LIDAR (light detection and ranging) to map and study the ocean floor and improve environmental and municipal planning.
Acadia university
For 25 consecutive years, Maclean’s has ranked Acadia as one of the top five undergraduate universities in Canada. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes and technology-rich teaching and learning environments, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development.
Acadia’s world-class research facilities rival the largest institutions. LEARN MORE
Nova Scotia Community College
3 Sites in the Annapolis Valley
The COGS campus is the only one in Canada equipped with topographic-bathymetric lidar (light detection and ranging) to map and study the ocean floor. This technology is being applied to aquaculture, oceans management and environmental and municipal planning. LEARN MORE
Middleton Campus – Pilikan House. Pilikan is a hands-on learning tool for the students in NSCC’s Energy Sustainability Engineering Technology program, as well as a research tool with 30 monitoring and control points to track energy consumption. This house is a “living lab” and demonstration site where the next generation of residential construction professionals can learn how to incorporate sustainability into their work. It is designed to be an affordable and practical home to show home-owners how sustainable design and energy-efficient options can be within their reach. LEARN MORE
INNOVATIVE & SUPPORTIVE BUSINESS CULTURE
Research & Development
Annapolis Valley Advantage: Campus-Based R&D
Acadia University and the Rural Innovation Centre (RIC)
Acadia University is one of the oldest in Canada and consistently ranks in the top five undergraduate universities in Maclean’s annual review. This university community is deeply engaged with business development activities through the Rural Innovation Centre (RIC).
As an incubator for start-up companies, the RIC houses Research-based tenants including the Acadia Institute for Data Analytics, Acadia Tidal Energy Institute, and other data focused companies.
Nova Scotia Community College and Geomatics Research Group
The province-wide Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) delivers sharply honed courses, diplomas, and advanced diplomas to prepare and build a skilled work force and support lifelong learning. It also offers customized training solutions for employers, giving them a competitive advantage.
A new article from Maclean’s reveals the world-class research and technology taking place at the Annapolis Valley campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, which houses the Applied Geomatics Research Group.
The campus is the only one in Canada equipped with topographic-bathymetric lidar (light detection and ranging) to map and study the ocean floor. This technology is being applied in aquaculture, oceans management, and environmental and municipal planning.
Pilikan House, a living lab and demonstration model for energy efficiency and sustainable design, is on the same site. Nearby, the Lawrencetown site houses the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), which is leading the way in geomatics-focused learning in Canada.
