Sheridan Is The Top College for AI Research Partnerships In Canada

Sheridan College has been named the number one college in Canada for artificial intelligence (AI) research partnerships, cementing its status as a national leader in applied innovation. The distinction comes from the latest Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges report by Research Infosource Inc., which for the first time included specific metrics for AI performance.

In addition to taking the top spot for partnerships, Sheridan ranked second nationally for the total number of completed AI research projects, highlighting the college's prolific output in the sector.

"Leading, Not Just Responding"
The top ranking validates Sheridan's strategic pivot toward AI-driven solutions, spearheaded by its Centre for Applied AI (formerly the Centre for Mobile Innovation). The college has focused heavily on connecting industry partners with student researchers to solve real-world technical problems.

"Sheridan isn't just responding to the rise of AI — we're leading it," said Rajan Sandhu, Sheridan’s Interim President and Vice Chancellor. "We're incredibly proud that Sheridan is being recognized as Canada's top college for AI research and innovation."

Innovation in Action: The "StrongArms" Project
The report highlighted several key initiatives that contributed to this ranking, most notably the StrongArms-Cancer project.

In collaboration with McMaster University, researchers at Sheridan developed a digital health system to assist breast cancer survivors. The system uses wearable technology and smart sensors to monitor upper extremity complications—a frequent side effect of cancer treatment—allowing patients to track their rehabilitation progress from home via a mobile app.

This project exemplifies the college's "applied" approach, where AI is used not just for theoretical study, but to create tangible tools that improve patient care.

A Broader Research Success
Beyond the AI specific accolades, Sheridan continues to rise in the general research standings. The college climbed one spot to rank 4th provincially among Ontario research colleges and moved up to 11th nationally in overall research rankings.

Dr. Vicki Mowat, Dean of Research at Sheridan, noted that the rankings affirm the college's collaborative model. "These results affirm the impact of our collaborative, applied research model — one that keeps people at the heart of technological progress," she stated.

The recognition comes as post-secondary institutions across Canada race to define their role in the AI economy, with Sheridan now firmly positioned at the front of the pack for industry collaboration.