Trent University boosted its reputation as a research centre at the fifth annual Peterborough Day, held May 15 at the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto. The event, hosted by Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, showcased the Peterborough region to Mr. Leal’s colleagues at Queen’s Park. More than 300 visitors, mostly MPPs and their staff, from all political parties, attended the event which featured local success stories and promoted opportunities for business, investment and tourism.

Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University, led a contingent that included Anne Wright, chair of the Board of Governors, and John Knight, manager, Corporate Research Partnerships. Trent’s exhibit was located next to Fleming College and the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster. “Our proximity to Fleming and the Innovation Cluster allowed us to highlight our joint research initiatives, as well as the cutting-edge research being conducted at Trent,” said Mr. Knight. He cited Trent’s Water Quality Centre, ground-breaking genetics work and developments in the field of sustainable agriculture as topics that garnered lots of interest from visitors to Trent’s exhibit.

Much attention was also drawn by a poster of Don Tapscott, who is featured in Trent’s innovative Luminaries campaign. “People were interested to learn that one of the world’s leading thinkers is a Trent graduate,” said Mr. Knight. Mr. Tapscott will be installed as Trent University's eleventh chancellor at Convocation ceremonies to be held on Friday, June 7.

A heavy contingent of cabinet ministers attended Peterborough Day, many of whom dropped by the Trent display. Among the notable visitors was Brad Duguid, minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, who spent a great deal of time discussing relevant issues with Dr. Franklin. “We were able to connect with all of the ministries that we interface with,” said Mr. Knight, “including ministers and parliamentary assistants for the ministries of Rural Affairs, Agricultural and Food, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources.”

In discussing Trent’s involvement at Peterborough Day, Mr. Knight pointed out that the event provides an excellent opportunity to foster positive engagement with key political stakeholders. “The exposure is very helpful,” he said. “By participating, we are showing that we are an important part of the Peterborough community. As MPP Leal said in his summary remarks, Trent is one of the four publicly-funded economic pillars of the Peterborough area, along with Fleming, the regional health centre and the airport.”