UNBC and Rio Tinto: A Partnership for Research and Innovation

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and Rio Tinto have recently announced a strategic partnership that will support students and grow the capacity for education and research in the region. The agreement, accompanied by a three-year, $450,000 commitment from Rio Tinto, focuses on research and analysis of the socio-economic state within the Nechako Watershed region, initiatives in common interest areas such as the environment, and experiential learning opportunities for UNBC students.



The partnership was announced at the British Columbia Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, where hundreds of delegates gathered to learn about the latest trends and opportunities in the sector. Andrew Czornohalan, Rio Tinto BC Works operation director for power and services, emphasized the company's commitment to advancing education and research in the region. He stated, "We share UNBC’s commitment to advancing education and research in the region, which plays an important role in ensuring Rio Tinto BC Works stays at the forefront of the aluminum industry with a highly skilled workforce and the latest technologies."

Dr. Geoff Payne, UNBC’s Vice-President Research and Graduate Programs, highlighted the university's expertise in addressing global challenges. He said, "As one of Canada’s leading small universities, UNBC brings our research, teaching, and learning expertise to a wide range of issues that communities are grappling with around the world. From water security, climate change and health care, to resource management, food security, and ecosystem management, all of these issues can be studied in depth in a unique environment right at our doorstep in northern B.C., providing an opportunity for this partnership to create local solutions that will have a global impact."

The partnership builds on Rio Tinto's long-standing support for UNBC, including being one of the initial funders of the Northern Medical Programs Trust that provides support to medical students in the North. The agreement will involve students in hands-on research programs, as well as internships and co-operative placements with Rio Tinto across a range of disciplines.

In addition to this partnership, UNBC has appointed Dr. Stephen Déry as the NSERC/Rio Tinto Senior Industrial Research Chair in Climate Change and Water Security. The $1.5 million in research funding from NSERC and Rio Tinto will allow Déry to quantify the roles of climate variability, climate change, and water management in the Nechako River basin’s water supply. This research will advance our understanding of the impacts of climate change on water security in the Nechako watershed, contributing to the global climate conversation.



The funding from NSERC and Rio Tinto will also support 13 students, ranging from doctoral candidates and post-doctoral fellows to master's students and senior undergraduate researchers. This investment in education and research will grow the capacity for education and research in the region, contributing to the global climate conversation and water security research.

In conclusion, the partnership between UNBC and Rio Tinto is a significant step towards advancing research and innovation in the region. By combining the expertise of academia and industry, this collaboration will create local solutions that will have a global impact, fostering a culture of innovation and knowledge-sharing between researchers, educators, and businesses.