The Province of Ontario recently announced a significant education infrastructure project that will transform Brampton: the establishment of a new Ryerson University campus, with Sheridan College as an academic partner, in downtown Brampton.
Brampton is very excited to welcome these two leading post secondary institutions and a new technology focused campus to the City’s downtown. Slated to open for classes in the Fall of 2022, programming will focus on providing students with data-driven science and business skills, paired with experiential learning. Plans include the new campus, a partnership for a National Centre for Cybersecurity, and a Centre for Innovation – a joint-use facility which will include public and academic libraries, collaboration space and an innovation zone.
The new campus will be built adjacent to the downtown GO Station and the Centre of Innovation will be located on City-owned land at Nelson and George Streets.
The location offers a number of advantages. With direct access to the downtown transit terminal and the GO station, it allows city-wide transit access to the new university and Centre for Innovation, as well as connectivity with the Innovation Corridor and the GTA. It supports the City’s plan for the downtown as an urban growth centre, and vision for an anchor mobility hub. It transforms surface parking lot into high-value space with community benefit. And, it supports the development of a signature downtown destination and will help spark business and cultural activity.
The vision for a National Centre for Cybersecurity leverages Sheridan’s and Ryerson’s strengths in cybersecurity, in partnership with the City of Brampton, in a place where learning, research and business come together to foster excellence and innovation in cyber science and security. Outreach has begun to business and public sector security organizations to develop partnerships and source funding for this Centre.
A downtown Brampton university location amplifies Brampton’s position at the centre of the Toronto Waterloo Innovation Corridor, an ecosystem to link talent, educators, investors, entrepreneurs and high growth firms.
Bringing a new university to Brampton has been a key priority for the City. In September 2017, Brampton City Council made an historic commitment of up to $150 million for a new university and centre for innovation. Together, the City of Brampton and the Province of Ontario have committed almost a quarter of a billion dollars to the two projects.
The City of Brampton has actively engaged with partners, community groups and businesses over the past year to help lay the foundation for future success. The City is also working with its partners to develop a vision for the centre for innovation, and has pre-qualified some internationally recognized firms for architectural services for this facility.
The new university and Centre for Innovation can be powerful tools for achieving a higher quality of life and greater economic vitality. In a dynamic, diverse and rapidly growing city like Brampton, creating innovative and dynamic urban spaces like the university and Centre for Innovation will create an urban destination to bring people together, increase quality of life, build entrepreneurship, and define the city’s profile and image.
The partners’ vision is to create anchor facilities, places where people want to learn and grow, foster connections, create energy and inspire creativity.
Innovation Pilot
The City of Brampton Economic Development Office will lead a pilot program prior to the Centre for Innovation being built. The pilot program will create a co-working collaborative space that will enhance entrepreneurship, attract new investment, spark innovation and create new businesses in Brampton. Start-up businesses will have access to co-working and incubation space, programming, mentorship, networking and resources that are fundamental to growing a business in a technology driven marketplace.”
“In expanding to Brampton, Ryerson will provide much-needed university programs to students in one of the fastest-growing and most diverse communities in Canada,” said Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of Ryerson University.
“Sheridan is exceptionally proud to partner with Ryerson University on this exciting venture,” said Dr. Mary Preece, President and Vice Chancellor of Sheridan. “For 50 years, we’ve been proud to call Brampton home. Today marks the beginning of a new era.”
“Successful cities combine knowledge, capital and innovation to spark the next chapter in their development, and this announcement will transform our city… forever,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey.
“We believe Ryerson’s new university campus in downtown Brampton presents an excellent opportunity to create strong partnerships that will benefit the city’s business community, its residents, and the student population,” explained Scott Hickey – Vice-President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
”We are so excited to learn that Ryerson University has chosen the City Brampton as home for their new national centre for cybersecurity. This partnership initiative presents tremendous opportunity for businesses and students in an area of technology that has critical importance to Canada’s businesses, as well as its citizens. ” Jeremy McBean – Director, Marketing & Communications, IT Weapons, a Division of Konica Minolta
“Ryerson coming to Brampton is great news for the manufacturing industry as it is becoming more automated and technical. Having Ryerson in our own backyard will be helpful for our workforce as well as collaboration in the future.” Kirk Brannon – President, Brannon Steel Ltd.
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