A partnership between Teck Metals Ltd. Trail Operations and Selkirk College that has created an annual fund to provide support for a student to undertake a local community applied research project is looking for a summer research project and sponsoring organization.
Called Teck Serv, up to $10,000 in funding is available to cover the cost of hiring a student to work on an applied research project and adds to Teck Resources Ltd.’s ongoing commitment to Selkirk College, its students and the communities in the region.
Now in its fourth year, Teck Serv will match a community organization with a student to undertake an applied research project. The Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) will work closely with the student and community organization to support the development and implementation of the summer research project.
“The Teck Serv internship has served to effectively support the applied research needs of organizations in Selkirk College communities and has linked research to informed planning and action,” says Dr. Terri MacDonald, Regional Innovation Chair at the RDI.
Community organizations—including organizations that have already identified a Selkirk College student—are invited to apply for funding. Selkirk’s Co-Op Education and Employment Services (CEES) will support the hiring a student if required, and also joins the RDI and Teck Trail Operations in evaluating project proposals.
Student efforts from the first year of the Teck Serv internship resulted in research that informed organizations on how to better support boys aged seven to 14 who were falling through the cracks in accessing community activities and programs in the Lower Columbia region.
Student efforts in year-two helped Castlegar better understand its housing needs/demands and provided the research required to access funding for capital housing projects.
Last year, a student’s effort focused on better understanding alternative forms of energy and heat generation, providing Kootenay Lake East Shore communities with the research they need to develop a community energy plan.
“It has been exciting to watch Selkirk College students build their applied research skills through their service to communities and watch organizations benefit as they use research to advance their rural development goals,” says MacDonald.
Based on the successful Teck Serv model, the RDI is working with the College of the Rockies to establish a similar opportunity for students and organizations in the East Kootenay region.
Organizations and students interested in the 2014 Teck Serv Applied Research Internship opportunity are invited to visit http://selkirk.ca/research/ric/teckserv-applied-research-internship to learn more.
The deadline for proposals is March 14, 2014.