Selkirk College
AC-10: Support for Research

A partnership between Teck Trail Operations and Selkirk has created an annual fund to provide support for Selkirk College students to undertake a community-based research project in the West Kootenay Boundary Region. Up to $10,000 in student internship funding is available to conduct an applied research project that will support rural development at the community or regional level. Examples of past projects include: -2014: Selkirk student undertook a research internship with Nelson CARES Society where she worked on the Society's Age Friendly Community initiative. The project researched isolation in rural seniors and uncovered issues related to mobility, socialization, transportation, and access to health and information services. -2013: A student completed an internship that addressed the issue of energy resilience on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake by looking at both community and household level options for distributed generation. The focus was on alternative and renewable sources of energy. Suitable solutions were identified through a combination of research and community engagement including meetings and tours. Provides students the opportunity to engage in applied research and service learning designed to build confidence, capabilities and capacity while attaining valuable work experience Benefits community organizations by providing the expertise of Selkirk students to help inform and advance strategic goals Brings real benefits to the region while enriching Selkirk students’ educational and professional development experience.