Olds College is One of Canada’s Top 10 Research Colleges

Olds College lands in Research Infosource Inc.'s top 10 research colleges in Canada for 2022.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has been named in the top 10 of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges according to Research Infosource Inc. The continued growth of the Smart Ag Ecosystem and applied research activities on the Olds College Smart Farm launched the college into the top 10 this year.

In addition to being ranked number 10 overall, Olds College was listed as number three in the country for College Research Income Growth and number seven for College Research Intensity (dollar per researcher). In the small tier college category, Olds College made the top 10 for number of research partnerships, completed research projects, paid student researchers, and industry research income.

Research strengthens the ag tech industry

“We are so happy to be listed in the top 10 of all research colleges in the country,” comments Dr. Joy Agnew, Associate Vice President, Applied Research, Olds College. “The Olds College Smart Ag Ecosystem is focused on accelerating the progress and innovation needed to grow Canada’s ag industry through applied research. The Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) — together with our Smart Farm and Field Crop Development Centre — continues to focus on practical, industry-driven applied research that is implementable by the agriculture industry. Reaching the top 10 truly shows that our applied research activities at Olds College are strengthening the ag and ag tech industries in Canada.”

The college’s primary research areas of focus include field crop production, livestock production, environmental stewardship in agriculture, barley and triticale variety development, and smart agriculture technologies and practices. The college collaborates with industry, academics, and government to support applied research, innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.

Ranking spotlight

Check out Olds College’s overall rankings:

• Ranked #10 overall in Canada’s top research colleges
• Ranked #3 in Canada for college research income growth
• Ranked #7 in Canada for college research intensity (dollars per researcher)

Explore Olds College’s rankings based on small college research activity:

• Ranked #4 in industry research income (small colleges tier)
• Ranked #6 in research partnerships (small colleges tier)
• Ranked #8 in completed research projects (small colleges tier)
• Ranked #8 in industry research income as % of total research income (small colleges tier)
• Ranked #10 in paid student researchers (small colleges tier)

Olds College transforms agriculture for a better world

The Olds College Smart Farm is at the heart of the Smart Ag Ecosystem at the college and has grown to include 3,600 acres of farmland, infrastructure, and staff who are experienced in agricultural technology research and development.

“It is a great honour to see Olds College of Agriculture & Technology recognized as one of Canada’s top 10 research colleges,” says Dr. Ben Cecil, President, Olds College. “The work we do at the college is immensely rewarding. Being the largest educational facility in the country with 3,600 acres allows us to continue working towards our social purpose of transforming agriculture for a better world. The college has many experts in their respective fields exploring leading-edge solutions to some of the challenges the agriculture sector is facing. I would like to acknowledge the excellent work of our research teams in leading innovation with agriculture.”

Research Infosource Inc. also featured a three-year spotlight on granting council research income performance from 2019 to 2021 which highlights Olds College’s continued research success. Olds College ranked in the top ten for research income from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and in the top 15 for research income from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).