{"id":110443,"date":"2026-06-17T13:32:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=110443"},"modified":"2026-06-17T17:20:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:20:31","slug":"provincial-boost-to-help-brock-ready-grads-for-cutting-edge-stem-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2026\/06\/provincial-boost-to-help-brock-ready-grads-for-cutting-edge-stem-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"Provincial boost to help Brock ready grads for cutting-edge STEM careers"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a close eye on the rapid evolution of technology, Brock University is launching a lab that will keep students on the cutting-edge of ever-changing fields and prepare them to lead in the workplace of tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security has invested more than $900,000 in the development of Brock\u2019s new Engineering and Computer Science Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Mechatronics Lab.<\/p>\n

Set to be in full operation this fall, the teaching lab gives students access to state-of-the-art equipment, allowing them to build a strong, skilled foundation for careers in AI, software engineering, robotics, data science and technological innovation.<\/p>\n

“This support for the Engineering and Computer Science programs at Brock University will ensure students and instructors have access to advanced equipment to meet business and industry standards and enhance the overall learning experience,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West.<\/p>\n

“By investing in post-secondary infrastructure, we are not only supporting our local economy right here in Niagara but ensuring students develop the technology and innovation skills they need to succeed in the workforce.”<\/p>\n

Funded by the provincial government through the Training Equipment and Renewal Fund, the lab features an elite suite of industry-standard hardware, including a self-driving car, humanoids and quadruped robots or \u201crobot dogs,\u201d industrial robot arms and mechatronics stations used to teach automation, robotics and industrial programming.<\/p>\n

The combination of equipment creates an undergraduate learning environment that is \u201cexceptionally rare\u201d in Ontario\u2019s post-secondary landscape, says Peng Wu, Associate Professor and Chair of Brock\u2019s Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndustries everywhere, from advanced manufacturing and automated logistics to tech research labs, are looking for people who can make machines smarter and more efficient,\u201d Wu says. \u201cBy focusing on this area, students move from just using technology to actually designing it, positioning themselves to lead teams and manage the automated environments of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lab will give students the ability to design, train and evaluate intelligent systems in real-world environments, better understanding their practical applications, says Beatrice Ombuki-Berman, Professor and Chair of Brock\u2019s Department of Computer Science<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy studying AI and robotics together, students gain an understanding of how intelligent systems can interpret information, solve problems and interact with the world around them,\u201d she says. \u201cThese skills are becoming increasingly valuable across a wide range of careers and industries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t