Saint Mary's University names Julia Knox as new Chair of David Sobey Retailing Centre Advisory Council

Julia Knox

Saint Mary's University proudly welcomes Julia Knox, Chief Technology and Analytics Officer and Chief Privacy Officer at Empire Company Limited, as the new Chair of the Advisory Council for the David Sobey Retailing Centre. Julia brings outstanding leadership, extensive retail expertise, and a passion for driving innovation to the Centre’s strategic direction.

Julia recently visited campus, meeting with members of the Centre’s leadership team to discuss her new role as Chair and explore exciting opportunities for collaboration. She will connect with the full Advisory Council at the upcoming meeting on May 15. Her appointment reflects the Centre's strong confidence in her ability to inspire transformative change in retail innovation and research.

“I am honoured to take on this role with the David Sobey Retailing Centre and excited to help shape the future of retail alongside such a talented, forward-thinking group,” said Julia Knox. “As retail evolves at a rapid pace, the Centre is uniquely positioned to drive real change by bridging academic insight and industry practice. I am especially passionate about helping the next generation of retail leaders build the skills, tools, and confidence they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.”

In her new role, Julia will also highlight the Centre’s thought leadership as a featured speaker at two high-profile events:

• Atlantic AI Summit (May 1, 2025), hosted at Saint Mary's University, where she’ll explore how AI is revolutionizing retail.

• Canadian Retail Collective Conference (May 7, 2025) in Toronto, joining an expert panel discussing AI and tech-driven innovation in retail. The Collective aims to bridge academic research and retail practice. It is led by the David Sobey Retailing Centre in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, McGill University, and the University of Alberta.

Julia’s extensive career includes senior leadership roles at Giant Tiger, where she drove success as Senior Vice President, E-Commerce and Chief Merchandising Officer, and strategic roles at H-E-B Grocery Company and Monitor Group in Toronto and New York.

"We are excited to have Julia Knox leading our Advisory Council,” said Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Retailing Centre. “Her vision, experience, and energy are exactly what we need to advance our mission of shaping the future of retail, especially at such a pivotal time for the industry.”

Beyond her professional achievements, Julia is deeply committed to community impact: serving as past Chair of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, as a founding activator of Coralus (supporting women entrepreneurs), and as a member of GS1 Canada’s Board of Governors. She is an alumna of the Ivey Business School at Western University.

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About the David Sobey Retailing Centre
The David Sobey Retailing Centre at Saint Mary's University drives retail innovation through impactful research, education, and collaboration—bringing academia and industry together to shape the retail future.

Student-led startup named Canadian Champion at Hult Prize National Competition

Founded by Sheheryar Khan, a soon-to-be graduate in the Diploma in Engineering program at Saint Mary’s University, Alaagi is on a mission to replace traditional plastics with sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Using seaweed and other marine resources, the company creates fully compostable plastics.

The Alaagi team—comprised of SMU students Sheheryar Khan, Gabe Martin and Vaishali Sachdeva—was named National Champion after competing against 19 other teams from across Canada at the competition held in March at McGill University.

Kate Ramirez of the Hult Prize with Vaishali Sachdeva, Sheheryar Khan and Gabe Martin of Alaagi, and Hult Prize Advisor Aarondeep (Aaron) S. Bains

Another Saint Mary’s team that competed was Sociable, an online platform founded by Olivian Sanderson and Jason Phonchareon. The platform aims to help students build meaningful relationships through shared interests and community events.

With the national win, the Alaagi team immediately moves on to the next phase of the competition, working toward the grand prize of $1 million to be awarded at the Global Finals in London in September 2025. Alaagi has been mentored through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and is currently incubated through Enactus Saint Mary’s.

““Working with the team at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre was truly transformative. They supported my vision and taught me fundamental skills like how to pitch and manage my business. But I also have to credit my mom—she sent me to Saint Mary’s and to Canada to chase my dreams.””

— Sheheryar Khan

Alaagi Founder Sheheryar Khan presents at the Hult Prize Canadian National Competition

The Hult Prize is a globally recognized social entrepreneurship competition that challenges students to tackle the world’s most pressing issues through innovative business ideas. Each year, more than 187,000 students from 113 countries and 1,324 universities participate, pitching solutions for a chance to win $1 million.

“The Canadian National Competition was competitive and exciting! It was amazing to see teams from across the country come together—not just as competitors, but as colleagues supporting one another through the process,” said Kate Ramirez, North American Regional Manager of the Hult Prize. “This was the first Canadian National Hult Prize competition, and it set the tone for what’s to come.”

The Hult Prize competition consists of five stages. With their national win, Alaagi enters Stage 3: the Digital Incubator. Alongside 60 top teams from around the world, they will refine their ideas, validate product-market fit, build proof-of-concept models, and develop go-to-market strategies. Successful teams will progress to Stage 4: the Global Accelerator, held in person in London this August, where 28 teams will receive intensive mentorship, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities. Of those, eight will be selected to compete in the Global Finals in September, pitching their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges for the $1 million prize.

Follow the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre online for more updates on Alaagi’s journey and other student entrepreneur success stories.

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The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University is Atlantic Canada’s premier hub for fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and driving open innovation. Over the past five years, the Centre has supported over 4,000 students and 3,000 businesses through programs, mentorship, and entrepreneurial engagement activities.

Acclaimed comic artist Kate Beaton to deliver the 2025 Cyril J. Byrne Memorial Lecture

What is the relationship between the arts and the economy? How do we value the ‘work’ of art and the business of creativity in our daily lives? 

Spend an evening with internationally acclaimed comic artist Kate Beaton as she revisits her earliest work—some never seen in public—and discusses her artistic journey so far. Join us in celebrating one of Atlantic Canada’s greatest artists as she charts her journey from Mabou, Inverness County, out to the world and back home again.

“We Were Always Working and Making Art: Rethinking the Economics and Value of Creativity”

• Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m.

• Scotiabank Conference Theatre (Sobey Building 201, 903 Robie Street) or watch via Zoom

• Open to the public, free to attend

Beginning with Hark! A Vagrant (2007-2018), moving through the explosive critical success of Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands (2022), on to her penetrating analysis of Bodies of Art, Bodies of Labour (2024) and her new 2025 release Shark Girl, Beaton will discuss her understanding of the essential role of the artist in our daily lives. Why have the arts always mattered to us, and why must we, especially now, continue to value and protect creative work in our contemporary culture? 

Kate Beaton is a comic artist and cultural critic with a webcomic series and eight books written for both adults and children. A multiple past winner of the Eisner, Yale, Harvey and Doug Wright Awards, she is a regular contributor to The New Yorker magazine and her work has been translated and published around the world. She'll be a guest speaker at Harvard University next week as its Weatherhead Canada Program presents "A Visual Narrative of Labour Migration and the Environment: In Conversation With Kate Beaton.”

Beaton’s graphic memoir Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands won CBC’s Canada Reads competition in 2023. It was named a “Book of the Year” by the New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, The Washington Post, NPR, Time, Publishers Weekly and...Barack Obama! The Globe and Mail hailed Ducks as a “deeply beautiful” book that presents a “moving picture of humanity in general: lonely, disillusioned and, ultimately, redemptively, compassionate." 

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The Cyril J. Byrne Memorial Lecture
Over the years, the Cyril J. Byrne Memorial Lecture has welcomed many of the world’s best writers to Halifax. Past evenings have featured readings and discussions with Booker Prize-winners such as Yann Martel and Anne Enright, Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ford and many others, including Alistair MacLeod, Anne Carson, Colm Tóibín, Dionne Brand, David Adams Richards, Wayne Johnston and the cast of CODCO. 

Throughout his 35-year career as a literature professor at Saint Mary’s University, Dr. Byrne embraced interdisciplinarity in his teaching and research. Well ahead of his time, he played a major role in establishing the university’s Atlantic Canada Studies Program in 1975 and the D’Arcy McGee Chair in Irish Studies in 1986. In recognition of the national significance of his work, Dr. Byrne was named to the Order of Canada in 1992. After his passing in 2006, this lecture was inaugurated to celebrate his memory, his scholarly vision and his fun-loving spirit.

Sponsored by the Irish Studies Program, this public lecture is presented by the Department of English Language and Literature in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts. All are welcome to attend. The Scotiabank Conference Theatre is located off the main lobby of the Sobey Building (SB on the campus map) at 903 Robie Street, Halifax, or join via Zoom: https://smu-ca.zoom.us/j/89229106318.

Saint Mary's University appoints Dr. Shannon Dea as Provost & Vice-President, Academic and Research

Dr. Shannon Dea

Saint Mary's University is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Shannon Dea as the university's first Provost & Vice-President, Academic and Research (PVPAR). Dr. Dea will assume her new role on July 1, 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in academia.

Dr. Dea joins Saint Mary's University from the University of Regina, where she has served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts since 2020. In this role, she has been an academic leader for a faculty comprising 13 departments, 43 program options, and over 2,600 students.

Dr. Dea's academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Western University, an M.A. in Philosophy from Queen’s University and a B.A. in Philosophy and Russian from the University of Waterloo. Her scholarly work spans a wide range of topics, including academic freedom, harm reduction and feminist philosophy. She is the author of many articles and book chapters. Her book, Beyond the Binary: Thinking about Sex and Gender, now in its second edition, has been widely acclaimed for its insightful analysis and thought-provoking perspectives.

In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Dea has held numerous leadership positions, including Vice-President of the Board of Trustees at the MacKenzie Art Gallery and Chair of the Western Canadian Deans of Arts, Science, and Indigenous Studies. Her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is evident in her work, particularly in her efforts to Indigenize academic spaces and promote social justice.

Dr. Dea's appointment marks a significant milestone for Saint Mary's University as she becomes the first person to hold the newly created position of PVPAR. In this role, she will oversee the university's academic and research activities, working closely with faculty, staff, and students to enhance the university's academic excellence and research impact. The Provost and Vice-President, Academic & Research also plays a crucial role in the university budget by overseeing the allocation of resources to support academic priorities and ensuring effective management of the budget process.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Shannon Dea to Saint Mary's University," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary's University. "Her extensive experience, visionary leadership and deep commitment to academic excellence and social justice make her the ideal person to lead our academic and research initiatives. We look forward to the many contributions she will make to our university community."

Dr. Dea expressed her enthusiasm for joining Saint Mary's University, stating, "I am honoured to be appointed as the first Provost & Vice-President, Academic and Research at Saint Mary's University. I look forward to working with SMU’s amazing faculty, staff, and students to advance the university's mission and to foster a dynamic, equitable and inclusive academic environment."

One million pounds of perfectly imperfect food feeds Nova Scotians

Square Roots, a Nova Scotia social enterprise founded at Saint Mary’s University, celebrates major milestone.

Students sorting donated food

Square Roots, founded by Saint Mary’s University students in 2016, buys imperfect yet perfectly edible food from local farmers and sells it directly to customers at a price that is 50% less than the grocery store. Nova Scotians benefit from getting healthy food at a more affordable price and farmers benefit because they get revenue from the food that would otherwise go to waste. This month, Square Roots celebrates the major milestone of delivering one million pounds of food since its beginning in 2016.

“We could not have done it without the student teams, the community champions and the farmers. ”

— Courtney Dingle, Square Roots president

“Square Roots is delighted to reach this one million pounds of food milestone. We could not have done it without the student teams, the community champions and the farmers. We believe this is just the beginning of what’s possible. We are currently in 16 communities and want to be in every county in Nova Scotia by April 2025 and we have a vision to take this model nationally,” says Courtney Dingle, Square Roots president and SMU business student.

Square Roots was developed by students at SMU who participate in an international student program called Enactus. Enactus marries entrepreneurial-minded students with social action. Square Roots addresses the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity. At the farm level, 30% of harvested produce is dumped into landfills due to cosmetic imperfections despite being perfectly healthy. Square Roots rescues this "less attractive" produce that would otherwise be discarded, offering it at affordable prices to those with limited access to healthy food.

Working with local contacts, Square Roots is currently bringing food to over 25 communities across Nova Scotia—the newest being Port Hawkesbury, D’Escousse, Sydney, Baddeck, Cornwallis Park, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Mill Village, and Lunenburg. The team intends to be in all Nova Scotia counties by May 2025 and, in the bigger picture, has plans to expand across Canada by 2026.

The SMU Enactus team is well-recognized in Canada and around the world. They have placed top 4 in the Canadian Enactus championships 11 of the last 13 years and won the national Canadian champion in 2024. With this recognition, the team represented Canada at the global Enactus championship in Kazakhstan in October 2024. The SMU Enactus team recently earned first place in the 2025 Enactus regional competition and heads to the national competition in May 2025.

Saint Mary’s University announces Dr. Michael Khan as the next President and Vice-Chancellor

Saint Mary’s University announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Khan as its next President and Vice-Chancellor, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Khan will join Saint Mary’s from Trent University, where he currently serves as Provost and Vice-President Academic. 

“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael Khan as the 35th President of Saint Mary’s University,” said Chair, Board of Governors, Alan R. Abraham Jr. BComm'80. “Dr. Khan’s extensive experience in academic leadership, his innovative approach to education, and his commitment to fostering inclusive and diverse communities make him an ideal fit for our university. We are confident that, under his leadership, Saint Mary’s will continue to achieve excellence.” 

Dr. Khan brings a wealth of experience and a diverse, international perspective to his new role. He has been Provost and Vice-President Academic at Trent since 2020. Dr. Khan’s distinguished career includes his tenure as Dean of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor, where he oversaw the Department of Kinesiology and Athletics & Recreational Services. Prior to this, he was the Head of the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences at Bangor University in Wales, U.K. 

Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Khan’s multicultural heritage and international experiences have shaped his approach to academic leadership.  

“I am deeply honoured and delighted to join Saint Mary’s University as President and Vice-Chancellor, said Dr. Michael Khan. “Saint Mary’s is celebrated both nationally and internationally for its excellence in research, teaching and community engagement. The university’s values align closely with my own. I am committed to supporting students in realizing their goals and aspirations.”  

Dr. Khan’s extensive experience spans academic and administrative leadership, strategic enrollment management, fundraising, and creative partnerships. As Provost at Trent University, Dr. Khan has spearheaded the development of an integrative academic plan that led to the creation of numerous new undergraduate and graduate programs, postgraduate certificates, and co-op opportunities. At Bangor University, he fostered partnerships in the public and private sectors by establishing innovative, high-impact research groups. In Windsor, he led the creation of the Lancer Sport and Recreation Centre Project, a $73 million sport and recreation facility for the university and its community, and actively promoted links with healthcare and sport organizations, school boards, businesses, and charities. 

With a research background in cognitive processes underlying movement control and learning, Dr. Khan’s work focuses on the visual control of manual movements. He is also a former elite athlete with over 25 years of coaching experience and has a keen interest in talent identification and expertise development. Dr. Khan holds a Ph.D. in Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia, an M.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, and a B.Sc. in Geophysics from McGill University. 

Saint Mary’s University is excited to welcome Dr. Michael Khan on July 1, 2025, and looks forward to the innovative leadership and international perspective he will bring to the institution. 

Tallest solar-integrated building in North America wins Clean50 Award

Saint Mary’s University: bringing sustainability to life

Saint Mary’s University was honoured at the Clean50 Top Projects Awards, which annually recognizes Canada’s most innovative projects tackling climate change and sustainability.

Dennis Gillis, Senior Director of Facilities Management at Saint Mary’s accepts the Clean50 Top Project Award

The Loyola Residence Recladding Project, a 22-storey student residence with an integrated, retrofitted solar exterior wall, was selected for its environmental leadership and innovation. Saint Mary’s is proud to represent the post-secondary sector among leading organizations from across Canada.

"Sustainability is at the heart of Saint Mary’s University and is a key pillar of our strategic plan," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University. "The Clean50 Award reflects our commitment to building a sustainable future. We are thrilled to see our efforts recognized and hope to inspire similar initiatives across Canada. Universities are driving forces of innovation in green energy research and climate action. Through transformative projects such as this one, Saint Mary’s has become a leader and hub for groundbreaking sustainability efforts.”

Setting new standards for sustainable urban infrastructure

Originally built over 50 years ago, the Loyola Residence faced challenges such as heat retention, leaks, and structural issues. Instead of simply replacing worn-out concrete, Saint Mary’s took advantage of the opportunity to do something unique.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are solar power systems built directly into walls, a roof, or windows, generating electricity from the sun but also acting as part of the building’s structure. Saint Mary’s worked with Toronto-based company Mitrex to install BIPV across the entire south-facing wall.

The Loyola Residence tower BIPV system shown on the right, along with solar panelling on the roof of the Sobeys Inspiration Hub

The retrofit includes work from DSRA Architects, Dillon Consulting, Able Electric, Markland Associates, and BMR Structural Engineering, with construction overseen by EllisDon Corporation and Grey Cardinal Management Inc.

According to Clean50, the project is a model for sustainable urban infrastructure, showcasing how older buildings can be revitalized to meet today’s energy efficiency standards.

Saint Mary’s has installed an interactive energy production display in the Loyola Residence lobby, allowing students and visitors to track solar energy generation in real-time. This display further demonstrates the university’s commitment to education and transparency in sustainability.

An interactive display in the Loyola building shows real-time solar energy information

Carbon footprint cut by 51.7% since 2005

Beyond the Loyola recladding project, Saint Mary’s offers a range of campus spaces and programs that bring sustainability to life. Upcoming initiatives include a green roof on the Patrick Power Library, new roof designs for McNally East and Homburg Centre, and a solar canopy for the science parking lot.

Initiatives already completed include:

• replacing the steam heating plant with a high-efficiency hot water plant;

• switching from oil to natural gas for heating; 

• using compact fluorescent lights; 

• replacing less efficient lights with LED lights; and 

• increases in Nova Scotia Power’s energy blend from renewable sources.   

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 Related reading

• Clean 50 Top Project: Saint Mary’s University Loyola Residence Recladding

• Loyola integrated solar installation wins Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering

• Sustainability at Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary's student team wins $10,000 in second annual Innovation Cup

Jason Phonchareon, Olivian Sanderson, Stuti Sandhu — Innovation Cup 2024 winner, Sociable team

Sociable, a modern and innovative student engagement platform developed by three Saint Mary’s students, was the grand prize winner in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre’s second annual Innovation Cup Final Competition held Friday, November 29. 

Olivian Sanderson (BComm, Accounting and Management) Jason Phonchareon (BSc, Psychology) and Stuti Sandhu (BA, Psychology) developed the start-up to address student loneliness within universities. Sociable helps students connect with each other, get peer support and gain access to campus events. A standout feature is “Pre-Connect,” which allows students to join group chats before an event. What sets Sociable apart is limiting the range of connections to students within the same school, promoting meaningful interactions and relationships within a campus community.

“When I came to university, I found it hard to make friends, and I did not have many like-minded people around me,” says Olivian Sanderson, one of the three members of the Sociable team. “Luckily, I found a group of people who aligned with me, including my co-founder, Jason Phonchareon, and we started talking about this issue.”

“The vision of Sociable is to be the platform that ends student loneliness. We want to be in every school, giving as many students as possible the opportunity to meet people that they mesh with. In a digital world, it is so important to ensure we are still fostering those in-person relationships, which is why this platform is a necessity.”

Innovation Cup finalists and judges

Ten Weeks, Ten Teams, Ten-Thousand-Dollar Prize

This is the second year for the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre’s Innovation Cup—a 10-week experiential learning program for Saint Mary’s students, where ten teams compete for the grand prize of $10,000. Each team is made up of three students from across the three faculties of Arts, Commerce and Science.

“During the ten weeks of the program, students have weekly training sessions and workshops, connect with industry experts to increase their business understanding, skills and network,” says Michael Sanderson, Director, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. “All while turning their start-up idea into tangible ventures.”

Judges listen to the Alaagi pitch

After three elimination rounds, three teams make it to the final round, where they give their best pitches to a panel of expert judges and a live audience. The judges for this year’s final competition were Katerina Msafari, Founder Success Lead at Tribe Network and COO of Adrigo Insights; Mike Rothenburg, Economic Development Officer at ACOA; and Bethany Deshpande, Founder of SomaDetect and business and leadership coach.

Rothenberg praised the high calibre of the pitches, saying, “The three pitches today were truly impressive, showcasing high-calibre and innovative business ideas. The presentations were polished and well-structured, highlighting each team's vision for growth and development.”

Deshpande seconds his comments and reflects, “The decision-making process was incredibly difficult, as each team demonstrated a deep understanding of their market and a compelling vision for the future. It was a pleasure to witness their hard work and dedication come to fruition."

The Sociable team will use the $10,000 towards completing their UX design, as well as legal fees, marketing and cloud storage. 

A Diverse Field of Innovators

Beyond Sociable, the competition featured a diverse range of innovative ideas. One of the finalists, Alaagi, a startup presented by Sheheryar Khan (BSc and Dip. Chemical Engineering), S M Sourav Rabbi (BComm, Finance and I.T.), and Rida Naqvi (BA, Psychology and Entrepreneurship), addresses environmental concerns by developing innovative, biodegradable bioplastics derived from seaweed.

Another finalist, Bean, an AI-powered food assistant, impressed the judges with its potential to revolutionize meal planning and reduce food waste. The Bean team, consisting of Vaishali Sachdeva (BA, Entrepreneurship), Varshitha Venkatesh (BSc, Computer Science), and Anushka Kalantri (BComm, Accounting and Finance), garnered significant audience support, earning them the “People’s Choice” award and a $1,000 prize.

Alaagi team: Sheheryar Khan, S M Sourav Rabbi, Rida Naqvi

Bean team: Varshitha Venkatesh, Anushka Kalantri, Vaishali Sachdeva

The Innovation Cup will be back next fall for young entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business ideas! Visit the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre website for upcoming events, work and learning experiences in the Winter term.

Experience Ventures program brings 152 new experiential learning opportunities for students in Atlantic Canada

Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre Partners with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking to bring Experience Ventures to students across Atlantic Canada. Experience Ventures pairs students with startups and businesses nationwide – giving 2100 students real-world placement opportunities and giving businesses access to emerging talent.

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University has recently signed an agreement to be the Regional Lead Atlantic Canada partner in Experience Ventures, a national program led by The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative. This partnership presents 152 new experiential learning opportunities for students in

Atlantic Canada to work directly with businesses, enhancing their skill sets and gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience. – but also - There are five diverse placement opportunities, including Hackathons, Challenges, Project Experiences, Student-in-Residence, and Interdisciplinary Team Projects. In each placement, students work on real-world challenges, gaining hands-on experience while earning honorariums. Business partners get access to fresh thinking and the next generation of talent.

“Entrepreneurial thinking is essential to enriching lives and advancing prosperity in Canada,” says Anica Vasic, Senior Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. “Our goal is to ignite an entrepreneurial mindset in students across Canada to develop the next generation of talent that will build our future. With entrepreneurial thinking as our north star, we’ve helped students across the nation step outside the classroom and gain the future-ready skills they need to thrive in the new world of work. The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre is a recognized Canadian leader in helping nurture this entrepreneurial mindset, which is why we’re so excited to welcome Atlantic Canada into the Experience Ventures network.”

“Young people are ready to dive in, test their ideas and turn their ideas into action. That’s why we’re so proud to support Experience Ventures through the Innovative Work Integrated Learning Initiative. This is about giving students real opportunities to learn and grow, connecting them with startups and businesses from coast to coast,” says The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. “They’ll sharpen their problem-solving skills, gain hands-on experience and carry it forward to their future careers—whether that means launching their own business or stepping into the career they’ve dreamed of.”

How it works:

• Projects run from October 2024 to February 2025.

• Students and businesses apply through Experience Ventures at the Arthur L. Irving. Entrepreneurship Centre.

• Companies provide in-kind support.

• Both students and companies go through an onboarding process and participate in one of five types of entrepreneurial thinking placements.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are vehicles that empower students to change the world and change themselves. Experience Ventures gives students that all-important ‘hands-on’ entrepreneurial experience, working with real businesses on real challenges and opportunities,” says Michael Sanderson, Director, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, Saint Mary’s University. “We are excited to work in partnership with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking to bring these opportunities to Atlantic Canada.

 For deadlines and details on all 152 placement opportunities, please visit our website.

• Students, please contact: paige.bigelow@smu.ca  

• Businesses, please contact: denise.benison@smu.ca  

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About The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary

The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is a dynamic community centre dedicated to fostering student entrepreneurship, empowering faculty innovation, and building a network of entrepreneurial minds. Our mission is to enhance the University of Calgary’s entrepreneurial capacity, enabling our community to drive positive global change. Positioned as a catalyst, the Hunter Hub supports University of Calgary’s vision to become “Canada’s most entrepreneurial university.”

About the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Saint Mary’s University

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University is a creative and collaborative space open to all students in Atlantic Canada. With a focus on growth, innovation and cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset, the Centre supports students and businesses – helping both grow and prosper. In the last 5-years, more than 4,000 students and 3,000 businesses have engaged with the Centre.

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Le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking s'associe avec Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre afin de proposer « Experience Ventures » aux étudiants du Canada atlantique.

Experience Ventures est une initiative qui connecte des étudiants avec des jeunes pousses et des entreprises établies à travers le pays. Ce programme offre à 2 100 étudiants des opportunités de stage pratique tout en permettant aux entreprises de découvrir et de collaborer avec des talents émergents prometteurs.

Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre de l'Université Saint Mary's a récemment signé un accord pour devenir le principal partenaire régional du Canada atlantique dans le cadre d'Experience Ventures, un programme national dirigé par le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking de l'Université de Calgary et financé en partie par l’initiative d’apprentissage innovant intégré au travail du gouvernement du Canada.

Ce partenariat ouvre la voie à 152 nouvelles opportunités d’apprentissage expérientiel pour les étudiants du Canada atlantique. Ils auront la chance de collaborer directement avec des entreprises, d'améliorer leurs compétences et de gagner une précieuse expérience professionnelle. Le programme propose cinq types de stages différents : marathons de programmation, défis, expérience en projets, étudiants en résidence et projets d’équipe interdisciplinaires. Ces stages offriront aux étudiants la possibilité de s'attaquer à des défis concrets, d'acquérir une expérience pratique précieuse tout en étant rémunérés. Les entreprises partenaires profiteront de l'occasion pour se rapprocher de la prochaine génération de talents et accéder à de nouvelles idées innovantes.

Déclaration du Hunter Hub

« La pensée entrepreneuriale est essentielle pour enrichir la vie et promouvoir la prospérité au Canada », déclare Anica Vasic, directrice principale des partenariats et des initiatives stratégiques au Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. « Notre objectif est d'inculquer un esprit entrepreneurial chez les étudiants à travers le Canada. Nous sommes fiers de former laprochaine génération de talents qui bâtira notre avenir. En adoptant la pensée entrepreneuriale comme fil conducteur, nous aidons les étudiants de tout le pays à développer les compétences nécessaires pour réussir dans le monde du travail moderne. Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre est un chef de file reconnu dans le développement de la pensée entrepreneuriale. Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir le Canada atlantique au sein du réseau Experience Ventures. »

Déclaration de l'honorable Marci Ien, Ministre des Femmes, de l'Égalité des genres et de la Jeunesse

« Les jeunes sont prêts à se lancer, à tester leurs idées et à les concrétiser. C’est pourquoi nous soutenons avec fierté Experience Ventures à travers l'initiative d’apprentissage innovant intégré au travail. L'objectif est de fournir aux étudiants des opportunités concrètes d'apprentissage et de développement, en les connectant avec des jeunes pousses et des entreprises établies à travers tout le pays. Ils amélioreront leurs compétences en résolution de problèmes et acquerront une expérience pratique précieuse qu'ils pourront appliquer à leurs futures carrières, qu'il s'agisse de créer leur propre entreprise ou de décrocher le poste idéal. »

Comment ça marche :

• Les projets se dérouleront d'octobre 2024 à février 2025.

• Les étudiants et les entreprises postulent via Experience Ventures sur le site internet de Arthur L.

Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

• Les entreprises offrent un soutien en nature.

• Les étudiants et les entreprises passent par un processus d'intégration et participent à l’un des cinq types de stages de pensée entrepreneuriale.

• Les entreprises intéressées par les prochains stages doivent postuler avant le 17 octobre sachant que les places sont limitées.

Citation du Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

« L'entrepreneuriat et l'innovation sont des leviers puissants qui permettent aux étudiants de transformer le monde et de se transformer eux-mêmes. Experience Ventures offre aux étudiants cette expérience entrepreneuriale essentielle, en travaillant avec de vraies entreprises sur des défis et des opportunités concrets », déclare Michael Sanderson, directeur du Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre à l'Université Saint Mary's. « Nous sommes ravis de travailler en partenariat avec le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking pour offrir ces opportunités au Canada atlantique. »

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À propos du Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking de l'Université de Calgary

Le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking est un centre communautaire dynamique dédié à promouvoir l'entrepreneuriat auprès des étudiants, à encourager l'innovation académique et à créer un réseau d'esprits entrepreneurs.

Notre mission est de renforcer la capacité entrepreneuriale de l'Université de Calgary pour favoriser un changement positif à l'échelle mondiale. Le Hunter Hub soutient la vision de l'Université de Calgary de devenir « l'université la plus entrepreneuriale du Canada. »

À propos du Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre et de l'Université Saint Mary's

Le Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre de l'Université Saint Mary's est un espace créatif et collaboratif accessible à tous les étudiants du Canada atlantique. En se concentrant sur la croissance, l'innovation et la culture entrepreneuriale, le Centre soutient activement les étudiants et les entreprises dans leur développement et leur réussite. Au cours des cinq dernières années, plus de 4 000 étudiants et 3 000 entreprises ont collaboré avec le Centre.

Manage conflict with science: psychologist Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley offers free training

Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley

Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley, an organisational psychologist with 20 years of practice, has launched a free training program on conflict management. The program helps participants use science-based tools to understand their own conflict management style and effectively resolve conflicts with colleagues.

“People do their best work when they have psychological safety,” says Dr. Lee-Bagley, who has extensive applied experience and research knowledge on burnout, psychological safety in the workplace, behaviour and organisational change, and wellness leadership.

“When I work with executives, I see that friction between coworkers often gets more intense as you rise up the ranks and the stakes get higher. Now, workers at all levels have evidence-based training to help them manage any conflict and move forward with more trust.”

The program is available for free at impactme.app/courses. ImpACT Me is an app that helps people navigate life’s tough challenges. It offers science-based training on burnout and conflict management, and behaviour-based tools to help training stick.

“We are proud to offer this free science-based conflict resolution program. Organisations stand to save millions through better productivity, labour relations and talent retention,” said Will Pate, CEO of ImpACT Me.

Image: impactme.app/

The training program was developed as part of a Saint Mary’s University project to create psychologically safe workplaces.

“We are excited to be able to apply a vast research literature in civility and conflict in the workplace from our researchers to create a training program that offers practical, real-life strategies that can be used in everyday life,” said Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research at Saint Mary’s University. “By pairing our knowledge of workplace psychology with the psychology of behaviour change, we can have a lasting and meaningful impact on workplaces.”

The project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund, a grants and contributions program that invests in projects aimed at creating safer workplaces for federally regulated employees.

“A safe and respectful workplace is a fundamental right in Canada. Our government is proud to support initiatives like Saint Mary’s University’s that equip workers and employers with the tools they need to drive positive change and build healthier, more respectful workplaces,” said Minister of Labour and Seniors, Steven MacKinnon.

Saint Mary’s University to welcome young scholars as new Shad Canada partner

High school students from across Canada can now apply for a distinct summer academic experience at Saint Mary’s University thanks to a new partnership with Shad Canada. As a Shad campus, Saint Mary’s will host Shad’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11.

“Every summer, more than 1,500 students come to Shad to discover new areas of study, access post-secondary academics, business and community leaders, and reach new heights of personal development,” said Tim Jackson, Shad Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to have Saint Mary’s join the team to deliver an incredible program steeped in entrepreneurship, research and international collaborations.”

Shad students collaborate for 27 days to design solutions to real-world problems such as food security, water management, or waste. Saint Mary’s hands-on approach to these challenges, combined with its robust business, science, mathematics, and arts programs, will provide a solid foundation for supporting students in their Shad design challenge.

“Shad Canada’s focus on entrepreneurship and community-building aligns with Saint Mary’s strategic priorities,” said Saint Mary’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “We are thrilled to partner with Shad and welcome young scholars from across Canada to Saint Mary’s and Halifax.”

Students from across Canada apply to participate in Shad programs. Once selected, students are paired with a university away from their home community and live on campus for the duration of the program. To learn more about Shad or to apply for the 2025 program, please click here.

For more information about the Shad Saint Mary’s program, contact Laura.Stiles-Clarke@smu.shad.ca.

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About Shad Canada

Shad Canada is a STEAM and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11. During the month-long program, students live on campus and participate in a real-world design challenge that prepares them to take on social and economic challenges. Shad’s program is transformational and life-changing, and many Shad alumni go on to innovate and start their own businesses. Shad has 26 campus partners, a network of more than 23,000 program graduates and has been running STEAM programs since 1980. Learn more at shad.ca.

Saint Mary’s introduces Star Finder - The David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program

Saint Mary’s is proud to announce the creation of a new initiative called Star Finder - The David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program.  

Star Finder is a new educational program that will enable teachers from across Nova Scotia to deliver an astronomy-focused curriculum to grade six and nine students. The program will focus on space exploration and astronomy, with a special emphasis on creating opportunities for those teaching in rural and underserved communities. The goal is to foster enthusiasm and understanding of astronomy among schoolchildren. 

David Lane at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory’s 50th anniversary event in September 2022  

The new program is funded by a $250,000 philanthropic gift from the late David and Michelle Lane. It will build on decades of successful outreach at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory, which was driven primarily by David Lane, the former Astronomy Technician in the Department of Astronomy and Physics at Saint Mary’s and the Director of the Burke-Gaffney Observatory. During his 29-year career at Saint Mary’s, Dave single-handedly automated the observatory, making it available to users worldwide through X (Twitter) and Facebook. Dave also created the Earth Centred Universe, an easy-to-use planetarium and telescope-control program which allowed institutes to operate their own educational astronomy platforms.  

“David and Michelle Lane's gift exemplifies the community outreach that Saint Mary's University is famous for," said Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet, Director of the Burke-Gaffney Observatory. “The Star Finder program will give young people in rural and underserved areas access to the type of scientific discovery associated with big cities and major universities. The program enables students and teachers to have hands-on participation in cosmic discovery.” 

Thanks to Dave’s efforts, tens of thousands of children and university students were introduced to astronomy at the Observatory, located at the top of the Loyola building on the Saint Mary’s campus.  

Dave Lane passed away in March 2024 at the age of 60. He is survived by his wife Michelle, who shares Dave’s dream of launching this educational project as a way to keep giving back and share David’s passion for astronomy with a wider community.  

“Dave brought the wonders of the night sky to people of all ages and walks of life; he especially loved sharing his passion with students, fellow astronomers and members of the general public,” said Michelle Lane. “Star Finder will now build on Dave's life's work and greatly expand the circle of people who will benefit from mentorship and outreach in exploring the night sky.”  

The Star Finder project is being developed with Saint Mary’s University alumna Andrea Misner BSc’06. Uniquely suited to this task, she studied astrophysics at Saint Mary’s and later earned a master’s in education degree from the University of Manitoba. Misner teaches high school general sciences, physics and astronomy in Winnipeg, and is a recipient of a 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.  

Star Finder will build teachers’ astronomy knowledge and skills by remotely using the BGO and mini-robotic observatory (MRO). Teachers and their students will also be provided access to the extensive archive of data and images at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory, strengthening their engagement with and excitement for astronomical understanding and discovery.  

“This is a deeply personal project, one that Dave and I planned together before his death as a way of leaving a legacy that reflects Dave’s lifelong passion for education and astronomical discovery,” said Michelle Lane. 

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To honour Dave’s legacy, members of the Saint Mary’s community and public can make a gift to Star Finder - The Dave Lane Astronomy Outreach Program.