At ORION, collaboration with our community is not just a practice; it is a key pillar of our strategy. We are committed to building strong, transparent relationships with those we serve through constituent meetings, industry conferences, strategic partnerships, and other initiatives. By engaging in regular dialogue, co-creating solutions, and actively listening, we ensure that our products and services remain relevant, valuable, and responsive to the evolving needs of Ontario’s research, education, and innovation community.
Collaboration to Advance Research and Education
Recognizing that lasting innovation arises from partnerships, ORION regularly engages with representatives from universities, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions. Through the exchange of roadmaps, exploration of ideas, and joint problem-solving, this collaborative approach enables us to work together more effectively and find ways to support each other. ORION remains committed to tailoring our service offerings to meet the needs of our community and making informed decisions that not only drive progress but also establish mutual trust.
Over the past year, we have leveraged valuable insights from advisory groups and workshops to guide ORION’s future strategy. Community participation in advisory groups was instrumental in the development of our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, with “Engaged ORION Community” and “Collaborative Partnerships” as foundational drivers of our mission and vision. Notably, our May 2024 Network Advisory workshop gathered insights from leaders to inform the future of our network services. Additionally, we held workshops and working groups to advance the Ontario Cybersecurity Strategy and the Secure Ontario Education (SecureONE) initiative, demonstrating the power of partnership in addressing critical challenges.
Internal and external working groups shaped the direction of ORION’s 2024 THINK Conference. Our “Empowering Excellence: Community Innovation Showcase” session at the conference provided an opportunity for institutions to share their groundbreaking projects and impactful initiatives. We will continue to amplify community voices and celebrate innovation across the province.
ORION has actively participated in and sponsored industry conferences, ensuring we remain connected with our constituents and at the forefront of thought leadership. Our involvement over the past year at events including BCNET Connect, CANHEIT, Cyber Summit, DiscoveryX, Higher Education Summit, OCCCIO conference, SecuR&E Forum, and TNC has witnessed peer collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the continuous exchange of ideas.
At ORION, our culture is deeply rooted in embracing collaboration and forging strategic partnerships, engaging with stakeholders, and listening to our community, which contributes to our innovative initiatives and community engagement. By empowering researchers and educators in Ontario, we are paving the way for a better, brighter future.
ORION’s collaborative approach has been invaluable to the Ontario Higher Education sector as we advance our goals. We work together in various ways to push the boundaries of research, education, and innovation at our university, in our province, and across the country.
We continue our collaboration with ORION to equip both students and faculty with the resources essential for their success. Collaboratively, we are forging new opportunities for our community to encourage innovation.
Building Meaningful Relationships and Strategic Partnerships
Our strategy emphasizes cultivating relationships and partnerships with a wide range of organizations to advance impactful initiatives. Close collaboration with Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN) partners is central to supporting innovation and economic growth.
In particular, ORION has strengthened our relationships with government ministries through regular meetings and ongoing conversations. We are engaging with the government to ensure the needs of our community are aligned with provincial and national priorities and policies. We continue to pursue investment opportunities while developing a proposal in collaboration with universities and colleges in Ontario. We have also partnered with the government to offer cybersecurity workshops for our community, and we are currently exploring a government relations coalition opportunity with other organizations. Our government relations efforts allow us to advocate more effectively and ensure that community needs remain aligned with provincial and national priorities.
ORION has formed strategic partnerships to improve our network capabilities and cybersecurity services. We engaged Cisco and leveraged their expertise to advance our network and enhance connectivity for connected institutions. Additionally, we partnered with Calian to offer customized cybersecurity solutions for research and education organizations. We are expanding our partnerships to provide reliable infrastructure and elevate the cybersecurity posture of our community.
The Path Forward: Partnership, Transparency, and Shared Success
Collaboration is not simply an operational approach for ORION – it is a key pillar that drives our organization and helps shape the future.
Together, through open communication, co-creation, and a commitment to shared goals, we can address current challenges and build lasting value to facilitate research, champion education, and empower innovation.