Lambton College is once again being recognized as one of Canada's leading research colleges.
This is the eighth year the institution has made the top five on the list of Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges by Research Infosource Inc.
The school held its ranking as the number two research college in Ontario and number three in Canada.
Once again, Lambton claimed the top spot for both the number of paid student research positions and number of research partnerships at a medium-sized college.
Vice President of Research and Innovation Mehdi Sheikhzadeh said getting the recognition is a moment of gratitude and responsibility.
"This is a big commitment that provides impact to our community, to our students and to our partners so, keeping this work going and a gratitude of all that is involved with this," he said.
Sheikhzadeh called the department a collaborative effort.
He said that the college is using research as a platform.
"For students to be engaged in collaborative projects with partners. It's the best way of experiential learning that helps the students to practice the skills that they are learning in the classrooms," Sheikzadeh said.
In total, the college is hiring over 360 students per year.
Sheikzadeh called this a high number.
"In order to do that and because these are all on a paid basis we have to bring resources to pay the students as well so it does require a lot of work behind the scenes," he said.
He explained that the program requires a lot of outside resources to keep the enterprise moving.
"In order to do that, it is a huge responsibility and commitment by the college but, because it's providing an impact by our students, our partners, our community and even beyond it's definitely something that our college is committed to do," Sheikzadeh said.
He added that not only does this put Lambton College on the map but Sarnia-Lambton as well.
"It's a place that innovation exists, it's strong. We want to invite industries to come to our community and utilize the resources that we offer," Sheikzadeh said.
Lambton also is ranked third for the amount of research income for a medium sized college.
Over $20 million has been received over the last five years.