News Archives: GPRC Research & Innovation: Serving Students
Thursday, September 15th, 2016
GPRC is pleased to welcome Andrew Dunlop, the newest addition to the Research & Innovation team as the new Manager of Scholarship, Innovation, Research.
Dunlop is bringing his experience as a former university instructor, researcher and director to the new position that will build to the vision and presence of enhanced research and innovation activity within the college, community and industry.
“Filling the position of Manager, Scholarship, Innovation, Research has always been in Research & Innovation’s vision since our formation in 2007,” says Bruce Rutley, Director of GPRC Research & Innovation. “This new position reflects the need to provide more support for student and faculty research needed to help GPRC on its way to Polytechnic University status. Andrew will act as the connector for faculty, students and industry to help us build relationships that provide GPRC students the best and most innovative experience during their studies here.”
Coming to GPRC from the University of Saskatchewan, Dunlop worked as their first Director of Community Engagement and Outreach where he fed his interest in connecting academic research and teaching with community interests and needs in mind.
“I started in higher education as a Geography instructor at the University of Manitoba,” says Dunlop. “From there, I moved into the position of Program Director of the University of Saskatchewan’s University Learning Centre, overseeing university-wide academic support and enrichment programs with student experience as well as learning and teaching development always at the forefront.”
GPRC Research & Innovation want to emphasize the importance of engagement and share the opportunities available in industry throughout the Peace Region with GPRC students and faculty.
“Having faculty engagement is so important to bringing research and innovation opportunities to students,” says Rutley. “Bringing Andrew onto our team is the next step in engaging with our faculty and staff on what opportunities are available and what interests them to get involved but also get their students involved.”
Through his research experience, Dunlop is convinced great innovative ideas can come from anyone, and the college can play an important and useful role in spreading awareness and bringing those ideas to life.
“Building these relationships with faculty and industry adds another critical component to student experience at GPRC, and therefore directly affects why they want to come to our institution,” says Dunlop. “By connecting them to these opportunities in industry we’re exposing them to useful real-world knowledge, but also we’re acknowledging that they are windows back into the community. Often when you connect with a student to find out what experiences are useful to them, it’s a direct reflection of what opportunities are occurring out in the world, and industry.”
GPRC recognizes the vital role our students have in our community. A community engagement role that Dunlop plans to encompass completely in his new position.
“Students come to our college from the community,” he says. “They may already have connections to businesses, industry, or other community networks through relatives or friends. They have a sense of the world, and realize the impact of industry experience is a two-way street.”
Learn more about GPRC Research & Innovation!
Learn more about Andrew Dunlop and his experience.
