Lambton College President Judith Morris (red jacket) is joined by her colleagues and members of industry to officially open the new Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College President Judith Morris (red jacket) is joined by her colleagues and members of industry to officially open the new Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin
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New Lambton College energy and bio-industrial centre opens (VIDEO & GALLERY)

A robot cut the cake to celebrate the grand opening of Lambton College's new Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies Thursday.

The newly renovated, world-class facility, is designed to bring academic programming, industry standard training, and research labs together.

College President Judith Morris said the two-year, $14.2 million upgrade of the 34,000 square foot facility, also included the addition of 7,000 square feet of training space.

She said partnerships between the college and Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, the research park, and local industries have been pivotal in developing new bio-based opportunities in the region.

"You have seen many of them come," said Morris. "Origin comes to name. You think about BioAmber and what the possibilities are out there now. I'm so excited about that. One industry builds on the next industry and this group, coupled with Lambton College and this community, are now driving a brand new sector. Diversification is everything."

Applied Research and Innovation Department Dean Mehdi Sheikhzadeh said since launching in 2006 they've done more than 500 collaborative research projects, with over 600 paid student research assistants working on them.

"In 2013 we had 30 paid students and last year in 2017 we had 185," said Sheikhzadeh. "30 projects in 2013 and last year we had 211 projects. $3.1 million research revenue in 2013, last year we had $14 million dollars. So, that just shows the growth of the research, but that growth could not happen without the support of the college."

The facility includes 20 new labs -- some dedicated specifically to applied research.

"We've helped to develop more than 50 new prototypes, 11 pilot plants and 80 new processes and technologies," said Sheikhzadeh.

The grand opening of Lambton College's Athletics and Fitness Complex is set for October 18.

Construction of the new Nova Chemicals Health and Research Centre is expected to be complete by April 2019.

Lambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Lambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Lambton College President Judith Morris officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College President Judith Morris officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Lambton College Applied Research and Innovation Department Dean Mehdi Sheikhzadeh tours people around the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College Applied Research and Innovation Department Dean Mehdi Sheikhzadeh tours people around the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Lambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Lambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Lambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Lambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College officially opens the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies. September 20, 2018 Photo by Melanie Irwin

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