- Research
Signing of a collaboration agreement between INRS and the Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix (CECC).
Photo from left to right: Jasmin Raymond, Professor at INRS and geothermal energy specialist; Amélie Forget, Director of Implementation for INRS’s Centre for Sustainable Rural Development; Louis-Michel Tremblay, Acting Director of the Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix; Geneviève Laurin, Lecturer and researcher at the Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix. Photo: CECC
The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix (CECC), affiliated with Cégep de Jonquière, are proud to announce the signing of a collaboration agreement aimed at strengthening ties between their scientific communities, facilitating mutual access to infrastructure, and stimulating inter-level research in the La Malbaie area.
This agreement seeks to foster ties between researchers and faculty members, support the development of joint projects, leverage each institution’s network of partners, and spark student interest in applied research. Several initiatives are already underway, including a second CECC student visits to INRS facilities to gain hands-on exposure to the research environment. They travelled to the Eau Terre Environnement research Centre in Québec City in March 2025 and plan to pay a visit to the new Ruralités durables research Centre in Baie-Saint-Paul at a future date.
This marks the first official agreement between INRS and Cégep de Jonquière. It reflects INRS’s commitment to strengthen its regional presence and develop initiatives with local partners that are both rooted in local realities and have a broad and positive impact on Québec, Canada, and beyond.
“This agreement speaks to our commitment to community-based research that is closely tied to regional priorities and carried out in partnership with local stakeholders like CECC. It also demonstrates INRS’s determination to actively collaborate with all actors in the region. This is an important step toward a strong partnership that benefits professors, researchers, students, and Québec,” said INRS CEO Luc-Alain Giraldeau.
“The Ruralités durables research centre is a breeding ground of inquiry and development in Charlevoix. Through this institutional agreement with CECC, we are formalizing our shared desire to expand access to higher education in the region. As a new socioeconomic player in Charlevoix, the Centre aims to be a facilitator for advancing ideas and projects for and with local communities.”
Amélie Forget, director of the Ruralités durables research centre.
“Research is a key component of the Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix, as it fosters knowledge acquisition, enhances pedagogical opportunities, and contributes concretely to the development of our communities. We are proud of this partnership with INRS, which will enable us to work together on inter-level research and develop impactful projects for the Charlevoix region,” stated Sylvain Gaudreault, director general of Cégep de Jonquière. ult, directeur général du Cégep de Jonquière.
A first concrete step: a successful scientific networking event
As part of this agreement, a first scientific networking event was held on June 16 at CECC in La Malbaie. This day of reflection and exchange brought together several institutions and research centres around the theme of inequality in social, environmental, economic, and regional transition.
Participating institutions and organizations included:
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
- Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix (CECC)
- Cégep de Jonquière and its two technology transfer centers, ÉCOBES and the Centre de production automatisée (CPA)
Regular working meetings are planned to strengthen the ties established at this event and to advance joint collaboration and potential research projects. borations conjointes et d’éventuels projets de recherche communs.
Toward a partnership that fosters innovation
This agreement marks the beginning of a promising partnership focused on science and delivering tangible benefits to Charlevoix and rural areas across Québec. With their regional presence in Charlevoix, INRS and CECC are joining forces to make research a place of dialogue and a source of solutions for the challenges faced by rural communities throughout Québec.
