Redeemer University Opens Innovation Centre
On Sept. 29, Redeemer University in Hamilton, Ont., celebrated the grand opening of its new Innovation Centre.
The event included an official ribbon-cutting ceremony where president David Zietsma, board chair Denis St. Amour, board vice chair Gina Taylor-Lunshof, academic vice president Peter Neumann, Innovation Centre director Harold DeVries, and student senate president Sebastian Caldwell cut a 3D-printed chain that had been created in the centre’s makerspace. The event was attended by Redeemer faculty, staff, students, and community members.
“The Innovation Centre is an exciting addition to Redeemer's academic program that will prepare students to think in innovative and entrepreneurial ways about challenges and opportunities,” said Zietsma. “We look forward to seeing the ways in which students will use their gifts of creativity, inventiveness, and curiosity to redeem ideas, possibilities, and things not yet imagined.”
Redeemer’s Innovation Centre aims to inspire innovation, design thinking, and creativity across campus. Open concept offices, design collaboration areas, and a robust makerspace provide a dynamic setting for students to engage with all that the Innovation Centre offers. As well, the centre offers networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations, allowing students to apply learning to real world challenges that require innovative problem solving.
“As a hub of applied creativity, students will have access to state-of-the-art technology for prototyping to explore their ideas, and an incubation lab to assist them with one-on-one coaching as they look to launch their innovations. They will also have the opportunity to participate in student-run ventures, beginning with a video production company,” said DeVries. “These programs, along with a variety of special events, will allow students to explore creativity and entrepreneurship as they seek to serve their community.”
