www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Monday, December 26, 2011 · 36 Sheridan's new centre `awesome' By John Bkila OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It's awesome. Described as a testament to creativity with hints of technology and meeting space, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning recently held the official opening of its new Applied Research and Collaboration Centre (ARCC) at its Oakville campus. "I was overwhelmed when I saw the space," said Dr. Mary Preece, senior vice-president of academic and research at Sheridan's 1430 Trafalgar Rd. campus. "The word that student and faculty researchers keep using to describe this space is `awesome'." The centre is dedicated for use by the faculty, students and external partners specifically involved in research projects administered through Sheridan's office of Applied Research and Innovation, said Preece. "Sheridan's new ARCC is founded on the need to create a space to conduct the work involved with our numerous applied research and innovation industry projects," she said. "This is a creative meeting space that spurs innovation and originality." Located in the campus' E Building (Room E207c), the 1,800 square-foot (167 squaremetre) centre is equipped with projection screens, flat-screen TVs, and moveable tables and seating, which could fit 60-75 people at maximum capacity. "It's what we call flexible seating, where the room can be reconfigured in 10 minutes to adapt to the number of people using it. It could be used for a small meeting of six individuals or become a conference room," said Dr. Darren Lawless, dean of research and innovation at Sheridan. "There's no point in having a room if no one is going to use it." Lawless said the centre was designed to be a creative space for workshops and applied research projects, rather than a classroom. "It's a catalyst zone to help encourage dialogue and enhance the student experience," he said. That's why, Lawless said, murals cover the room's walls and why Sheridan students were asked to paint those murals to showcase their talents. "It's very much a centre designed by Sheridan, for Sheridan." Lawless said the ARCC's $150,000 price tag was an investment for Sheridan. The room's computers and furniture came from research infrastructure funder CFI (the Canadian Foundation for Innovation) and design furnisher Herman Miller Canada, respectively. FedDev Ontario (the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) will supply funding for Sheridan projects and initiatives that come out from the centre, said Lawless. John Bkila can be reached at jbkila@ oakvillebeaver.com or followed on Twitter at @ NewsHooked. MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ENHANCING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE: Dr. Jeff Zabudsky (left), president and CEO of Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and Dr. Mary Preece, senior vice-president of academic and research, cut the ribbon at the opening of Sheridan's new Applied Research Collaboration Centre (ARCC). The opening was recently held inside the E Building (Room E207c) at the 1430 Trafalgar Rd. campus in Oakville. The 1,800 square-foot centre features projection screens, flat-screen TVs, and moveable tables and seating, which could fit 60-75 people p p at maximum capacity. p y