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“Innovation at St. Clair College isn’t about being seen; it’s about being felt— through the lives we change.”
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Director (Research & Innovation)
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Featured Research Project
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A New Approach to Time Tracking with Face Recognition
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St. Clair College Research & Innovation, in partnership with industry leaders, developed a Time Management System that uses face recognition for employee time tracking. By reducing reliance on manual checks and paper timecards, the system helps streamline day-to-day operations and offers clear visibility into workforce data.
- Purpose
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- Improve accuracy in recording work hours
- Simplify processes for employees and managers
- Enhance security and reduce timekeeping errors
- Provide reliable data for payroll and resource planning
- Key Features
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- Face Recognition
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- Verifies employees without traditional timecards
- User-Friendly Interface
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- Minimizes training requirements and encourages quick adoption
- Real-Time Dashboard
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- Offers immediate insights for staffing and payroll decisions
- Cross-Platform Support
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- Functions on multiple devices and operating systems for broader accessibility
- Collaboration at a Glance
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- 1 St. Clair College researcher and 5 student researchers
- Industry collaboration offering real-world insights
- Technologies: Python (application development), SQL (database management), UI/UX principles (interface design)
By automating time tracking and strengthening data security, this system helps organizations reduce errors, save time, and focus on core activities. Its streamlined approach demonstrates how academia and industry partners can come together to produce solutions that are practical, reliable, and easy to incorporate into everyday workflows.
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At St. Clair College, we specialize in developing tailored solutions to address industry-specific challenges by harnessing our student and faculty talent and expertise. If an organization is facing an industry-related problem that demands an innovative approach, our students and expert researchers are ready to collaborate to create the solutions of tomorrow.
Visit our Project Archives Page to learn more.
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Research and Innovation in National Post
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In a world where innovation often makes a lot of noise, St. Clair College is quietly transforming real-world challenges into practical solutions—right here in our community. Recently highlighted in the National Post, our approach at Research & Innovation is all about empowering students, staff, and industry partners to work side by side on meaningful projects. Whether it is advancing new technology, addressing underserved populations, or finding fresh ways to solve everyday problems, our focus is always on real impact.
What sets St. Clair College apart is the belief that innovation is an ongoing journey of collaboration. Students become active architects of change, gaining hands-on experience and transferring fresh ideas straight into their communities. Faculty and industry partners provide the expertise and support that make these ideas a reality. As Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon, Director of Research & Innovation, says,
“Innovation at St. Clair College isn’t about being seen; it’s about being felt—through the lives we change.”
With each new partnership and every student-led project, we take another step toward creating lasting, positive change. This “quiet innovation” is powerful because it invests in people, ideas, and collaboration—laying a strong foundation for meaningful transformation far beyond our campus. By continuously bridging theory and practice, St. Clair College’s Research & Innovation team demonstrates that you don’t need to make a lot of noise to spark big, impactful change.
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The March(ing) Forward: A Morning of Innovation and Collaboration at St. Clair College
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On March 28, 2025, the St. Clair College Research & Innovation team transformed a morning breakfast into a vibrant forum for innovation and collaboration at “The Marching Forward” event. Held at the Centre for the Arts, the gathering drew over 100 industry and community leaders, alongside passionate students, faculty, and staff.
Attendees connected one-on-one with 17 student researchers at interactive booths, exploring innovative projects and gaining firsthand insight into the bold, solution-driven work shaping the future across multiple disciplines.
Thought-provoking presentations from a panel of dynamic speakers further energized the event:
- Dr. Stephanie DeFranceschi, Chair, School of Health Sciences, St. Clair College
- Mayank Balakrishnan, Founder, Fetherstill Inc.
- Joi Hurst, CEO & Founder, Coalition for Justice, Unity and Equity
- Dr. Masoud Akhshik, Former Program Manager, Research and Innovation, St. Clair College
Their insights sparked meaningful conversations and inspired attendees to think boldly about the intersections of education, innovation, and social impact.
The event's success was made possible thanks to the generous support of our community and industry partners, including Atlas Tube, Formula First, Polar Joe, and Taurean EV, whose sponsorships helped amplify the reach and impact of the day’s activities.
Reflecting on the event’s spirit, Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon shared:
“Today’s event is proof that real power lies in the hands of the people. It’s where our stories collide, our voices rise, and our work turns into action. From the ground up, we craft a future fueled by resilience, joy, and the unbreakable bond of our shared purpose.”
She added:
“This event mirrors the ethos of what we aspire to be: a college that sits at the heart of the community, actively responding to its needs and working hand-in-hand with local and global industries to build a better future.”
Energized and inspired, participants left ready to keep marching forward into new research frontiers—a true testament to St. Clair College’s commitment to community, innovation, and the power of collaborative action.
Take a deep dive into all the insights and moments from The March(ing) Forward Event through our Instagram Live—just click the button below
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Research Impact Highlights
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Open House Highlights: St. Clair College Research & Innovation
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R&I Experimenting with Instagram Live and Podcast Live for Open House
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The recent Open House at St. Clair College offered an exciting chance for the Research & Innovation team to connect with the community and demonstrate how we are turning bold ideas into real-world impact. Attendees had the opportunity to explore our ongoing projects, chat with our dedicated staff, and see up close how new technologies are shaping the future of both education and industry.
One of the event’s biggest draws was the live demonstrations, where visitors observed hands-on experiments and interactive exhibits that brought our cutting-edge work to life. Conversations were lively, questions were insightful, and the atmosphere was charged with curiosity as people discovered how innovation drives tangible change for students, businesses, and the broader community.
If you could not make it to the Open House, don’t worry—we captured the excitement on our Instagram Live. Be sure to check it out for a deeper dive into the day’s activities. If you are interested in continuing the conversation or even joining us in our podcast studio, fill out our new R&I Connect form. We would love to hear your thoughts and collaborate on future ventures.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who visited, shared ideas, and helped make this Open House such a success. Stay tuned for more updates from St. Clair College Research & Innovation, where every day we are striving to spark fresh insights and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
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R&I Lunch and Learn Event
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On March 18, 2025, our Research and Innovation Department hosted a lively Lunch and Learn in the Toldo Health Science Building—complete with pizza and plenty of fresh ideas. The event brought together faculty, staff, and students to explore the many ways R&I supports grant applications and research projects across the College.
A highlight of the session was the introduction of WE-SPARK Health Institute’s Igniting Discovery and IDEA grants, which offer faculty and staff accessible funding to jump-start pilot projects and new initiatives. Our R&I team walked participants through the application timelines, shared best practices for successful proposals, and emphasized how collaborative research can lead to real community impact. Attendees also heard testimonials from colleagues who have already benefited from R&I guidance, showcasing the transformative power of well-supported projects.
From sparking new ideas to forging interdepartmental connections, the Lunch and Learn proved that great things happen when knowledge meets opportunity. We’re excited to continue helping our St. Clair College community navigate funding calls, refine proposals, and push innovation forward—one grant at a time. If you’d like to learn more or start planning your own research venture, our door is always open!
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Rapid Visualization of GD&T/PMI CMM Inspection
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With support from FedDev and in partnership with Longterm Technology Services Inc., St. Clair College’s Research & Innovation team developed a rapid, automated workflow for inspecting automotive parts.
By embedding Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) data directly in a 3D model, engineers can now generate a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) path, capture measurement results, and instantly visualize any variances in Siemens NX. The streamlined process replaces manual programming with a more efficient “author, measure, display” approach—significantly cutting down inspection time and boosting confidence in part quality.
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ICF Smart21 Pre-Summit Tour: Driving Innovation and Sustainability
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St. Clair College was honored to be part of the ICF Smart21 Pre-Summit Tour, with Dr. Masoud Akhshik from our Research & Innovation Department representing us over five dynamic days. Dr. Akhshik delved into leading-edge biobank research at Hamilton Health Sciences, explored zero-carbon breakthroughs at Mohawk College’s innovation hub, and engaged with local entrepreneurs and tech leaders at TechPlace. He also toured sustainable biotech projects at The Cultivated B and witnessed the creative blend of art and technology at Hamilton Technology Centre.
His experiences during the week underscore St. Clair College’s commitment to pushing boundaries in innovation, sustainability, and community development. We’re excited about the new connections and insights gained from this tour and look forward to turning them into tangible initiatives that benefit our students, partners, and the broader community. Stay tuned for more updates from our Research & Innovation team as we continue to fuel progress and foster a culture of collaboration.
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WE-Spark Hosts the 2025 Health Research Conference
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St. Clair College’s Research & Innovation team joined leading experts in health, technology, and community care at this year’s WE-SPARK Health Research Conference. Representing the College were:
• Ms. Alyssa Zokvic — Program Lead specializing in cancer care, epidemiology, and health data analytics.
• Mr. David Potocek (Ph.D. Candidate) — Project Research Manager focusing on community health and social sciences.
• Dr. Masoud Akhshik — Former Program Manager and Multidisciplinary Scientist advancing environmental studies and nanobiotechnology.
Their participation highlighted the College’s dedication to pushing boundaries in health research and building strong, innovative partnerships for our students and the community.
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“My name is David Le, I am a third-year graphic design student. My time working at the St. Clair College Research and Innovation department has been a valuable experience which has helped me develop my skills, challenge myself with new tasks and work as part of a team. During my time here, I have had the pleasure of working on many projects including designs for printed and digital material. The skills I learned from the graphic design program were valuable in helping me take the best approach for a project as well as putting the skills I learned to the test. Working with the team has also been an important experience which has helped me work with others efficiently and learn to communicate in order to meet the creative vision. Overall, my experience here has been very valuable in helping me advance my skills as a designer and I am deeply grateful for the R&I team for supporting me along the way. ”
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“It has been a great pleasure to work with St. Clair College's Research and Innovation Department in the funding proposal writing, especially collaborating with the Research and Innovation Director, Karamjeet Dhillon, and the Business Development Manager, Sonja Popovski. Their team combines creativity, efficiency, and a genuine passion for community impact in every project they take on. They consistently deliver innovative, well-crafted proposals tailored to funders' priorities, with clear and efficient communication throughout the process with project partners. What truly sets them apart is their heartfelt dedication to helping local not-for-profit organizations create meaningful changes. Working with St. Clair College's Research and Innovation Department has been an absolute pleasure, and I am confident that any organization will benefit from their expertise and commitment.”
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- Olivia Brezeanu
The Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women (W5)
Chief Executive Officer
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Book a Tour or Consultation!
Discover the possibilities with a tour or consultation.
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Contact Us!
For inquiries please visit our Contact Us Page:
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That's all for March!
Stay tuned for our next newsletter, arriving in April 2025!!!
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