NSCC secures record investment in student research opportunities

Six business professionals smiling in front of a Detect-branded truck.

Innovation thrives when education, industry and research come together, and NSCC is proud to be at the heart of that collaboration. A $1.89 million investment from Mitacs and Nova Scotia-based tech company Detect marks the largest Mitacs award in the College’s history, and a major milestone for student research and workforce development in Nova Scotia.

Mitacs connects students and recent graduates with Canadian companies to support collaboration between industry and academia. This helps drive innovation, reduce risk in research and development and build strong partnerships, making Canadian businesses more competitive while training the next generation of skilled workers. Through its Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program, students gain paid, hands-on experience while contributing to innovation across sectors.

This investment is not only the largest BSI project ever awarded to a Canadian college, it’s a transformative opportunity for NSCC students and grads entering the energy and technology sectors.

Modernizing utility asset management

NSCC students will play a key role in a province-wide initiative to modernize how energy utilities manage their infrastructure. Led by Detect, the project uses advanced data collection, AI and geospatial analysis to help utilities better understand and maintain their assets. The goal is to improve safety, efficiency and resilience while reducing costs and service disruptions.

Joe Richard, Chief Operating Officer at Detect, highlights the real-world impact of this project: “By combining advanced imagery technology with smart data analysis, we help utilities identify issues faster, more accurately, and with minimal disruption to the grid. The result is safer communities, fewer outages and a more resilient energy system - all while saving time and resources for utilities.”

For students, this is more than just hands-on experience. It’s a chance to contribute to a transformative project shaping the future of energy infrastructure in Nova Scotia.

Real-world experience for students

Over the next two years, 21 NSCC interns in geomatics and IT programs will take part in this project with Detect, gaining experience in high-demand areas such as:

Operating UAVs (drones) and mobile imaging systems
Applying AI-powered analysis to large-scale datasets
Building expertise in data visualization and geospatial mapping
Contributing to a project with national significance

Jeffrey Taylor, NSCC’s Associate Vice President of Research, Innovation & Workforce Development, says the partnership is a powerful example of how industry collaboration can elevate student learning: “This is exactly the kind of opportunity we strive to create, where students are immersed in meaningful, paid work that builds their skills and confidence. Detect’s innovative approach and commitment to mentorship make this a standout experience for our students and grads.”

A milestone in work-integrated learning

Through the Mitacs BSI program, both Mitacs and partner organizations contribute to intern stipends, making it easier for students to access meaningful, paid research opportunities. Regional Director, Atlantic Canada at Mitacs, Anne Spence explains how this record-setting project demonstrates the power of collaboration to drive innovation and build future-ready talent:

"Mitacs funding helps companies and organizations leverage innovative, data-driven solutions by connecting them with talented interns who apply research to transform real-world challenges into bold solutions. The partnership with Nova Scotia-based Detect is expected to directly enhance the efficiency and performance of regional power utility systems."

The collaboration between NSCC and Detect was sparked during a presentation at Dalhousie’s Emera IDEAhub, where NSCC connected with local businesses. That initial conversation led to Detect attending the Centre of Geographic Sciences Industry Expo, where they saw the impressive talent and capabilities of NSCC students and faculty.

Early discussions revealed that Mitacs funding could help bring the collaboration to life. Proposal support from NSCC’s Student Research Network played a key role, demonstrating the value of collaboration in securing impactful projects like this.

For Detect, the partnership is about more than driving innovation. “Working with NSCC and Mitacs allows us to bring fresh perspectives and top emerging talent into our innovation pipeline,” says Joe. “It’s not just about advancing technology; it’s about building the next generation of skilled workers who will help modernize the utility sector.”

Get involved

Are you a student or recent graduate interested in gaining hands-on research experience? Learn more and connect with NSCC’s Student Research network