Acadia University Gets Innovation Fund Boost
A Nova Scotia university known for protecting the environment is becoming greener.
The province unveiled two projects today, March 28, that will help Acadia University become more energy efficient and reduce costs. One project will bring compressed natural gas, a cleaner energy source than the oil, to the university, and the other project will improve Acadia's steam distribution system.
"Acadia is known across the country for its excellent environmental science and environmental studies programs," said Education Minister Ramona Jennex, on behalf of Labour and Advanced Education Minister Frank Corbett. "The province is delighted to help Acadia put their beliefs into practice."
Nova Scotia's 10 universities, like most Canadian schools, face a number of demographic and economic challenges, which means they need to do things differently.
Burning cleaner fuel and making the distribution system more efficient makes sense, and it shows students how theory translates into reality.
"If our graduates are to help Nova Scotia achieve prosperity that we have not seen for generations, they need to be up to date on the latest developments in their field of study," said Ms. Jennex. "That's why the province is investing in universities, in students and in the future."
"We are grateful to the Province for its investment in a project that is a significant component of Acadia's long-term sustainability plan," said Ray Ivany, Acadia president and vice-chancellor. "Acadia's enrolment growth, its expanding list of community partnerships, and the scholarship and research success being achieved by its students and faculty, are all signs of a campus community with significant positive momentum. The compressed natural gas energy conversion project represents an important step towards greater energy efficiency, cost savings and improved environmental performance."
Matthew Rios, president of the Acadia Student Union, agrees.
"Acadia students are extremely excited about the announcement today, as it points towards a long-term future at Acadia that is more fiscally and environmentally sustainable," he said. "The Innovation Fund investment will allow our university to make a significant energy change which reflects our institution's strong and well-understood environmental values."
The two Acadia University projects have a combined value of about $3.4 million. Earlier this week, the province announced 16 Innovation Fund projects worth $6.1 million. More than $4 million in Innovation Fund projects is also being announced today, for St. Francis Xavier University and Cape Breton University.
With these projects, the province will have delivered $15 million from the Innovation Fund to Nova Scotian universities since 2012. Another $10 million will be invested in 2013-14. In addition, the province will deliver $314 million in university operating grants next year.
A $25-million Innovation Fund, established in 2011, is helping universities deliver high quality education to their students while exploring ways to permanently reduce their operating costs. Each university is receiving Innovation Fund investments this year to enhance learning opportunities and services for students, to become more energy-efficient, or to make better use of technology.