How students reimagined sustainable retail for Hope Blooms

Students pitched their strategies to Hope Blooms at the Experience Ventures hackathon

Hackathon participants with staff from Hope Blooms, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Sobey School of Business

As part of Responsible Leadership Day, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre partnered with the David Sobey Retailing Centre and the Sobey School of Business to host the final Sustainable Retail Hackathon of the semester. The event brought together students from Saint Mary’s University and Mount Saint Vincent University to tackle a real challenge faced by Hope Blooms, a local social enterprise known for its youth-led urban agriculture, community impact and inspiring history.

What made this hackathon especially meaningful was the story that sits at the heart of Hope Blooms. Many people in Nova Scotian remember the moment in 2013 when six youth from the organization appeared on Dragon’s Den to pitch their dream of building a greenhouse that would allow them to grow produce all year long. They asked for $10,000. They walked away with $40,000 and a deal that kept 100% of the profits in their community. One of those six youth was Kolade Boboye, who returned over a decade later to join the hackathon as a representative and judge.

The hackathon brought together 11 students from marketing, management, entrepreneurship and general business programs. While the event primarily targeted undergraduate business students interested in sustainability and retail innovation, the group brought a mix of perspectives and problem-solving styles that helped fuel collaboration.

After Hope Blooms presented their challenge—finding ways to increase public awareness of the social enterprise side of their organization—students had just three days to research, ideate and build out their recommendations. Teams then gathered to pitch strategies such as impact-based loyalty programs, QR codes that highlight real youth stories and campaigns amplifying youth voices directly. The goal wasn’t to choose a winner but to generate meaningful, actionable ideas that could support the next phase of Hope Blooms’ growth.

“The students’ attention to detail was nice to see and so was their commitment to doing the work,” said Jesse Jollymore, Executive Director at Hope Blooms.  

Students shared their own reflections as well, with MSVU student Joshua Foster explaining, “For me, it was more than the money, I was focused on the challenge and wanted to make an impact. This is a good business, and the business is smart to get students involved.” SMU student Jonah Bucci added, “I enjoyed interacting with a real business and its problems, and the short timeframe made it exciting.”

The hackathon was hosted as part of the Experience Ventures program, supported by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary. As the final hackathon of the semester, it offered students a chance to apply entrepreneurial thinking in a hands-on way and support one of Halifax’s most inspiring community organizations in the process.

Learn more about Experience Ventures at SMU.

Community, creativity and vintage fashion come together at an Innovation Sprint!

All student participants with Laura MacNutt of KingsPIER Vintage

First place team at the Innovation Sprint

Second place team in the Innovation Sprint

Third place team in the Innovation Sprint

For the final internal Innovation Sprint of the fall term, students from across Nova Scotia came together at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre to collaborate with KingsPIER Vintage, a local business known for its luxury vintage and sustainable apparel, footwear and accessories. Founded by Mount Allison and NSCAD alum Laura MacNutt, KingsPIER has become a go-to spot in Halifax for people who appreciate high-quality, curated vintage pieces. Laura’s passion for sustainability began during her academic years and it now guides every part of her business. 

This Sprint carried a special excitement, especially because some students were already familiar with KingsPIER and were eager to support Laura’s work. The session brought together a diverse mix of 28 students from Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University and Memorial University. The group included undergraduate students, MTEI students, and master’s students from programs such as nursing, computer science, and engineering. Their variety of backgrounds created a collaborative environment filled with fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. 

Shane Sayge Powell-Hayward, a SMU student from the faculty of science, says: “It was an amazing time. I really enjoyed thinking creatively and working with the team through challenges, and I would participate again.” 

Hosted in the Sobeys Inspiration Hub at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, the Sprint invited students to explore real challenges that KingsPIER is facing in inventory management, marketing and customer engagement. Students brainstormed a wide range of ideas, including hosting virtual workshops, partnering with Elevate Media (a business from a previous Provincial Innovation Sprint) and collaborating with the KingsPIER to connect with cruise ship customers visiting Halifax. 

Laura MacNutt, founder of KingsPIER Vintage, says: “I had a worthwhile afternoon at the Innovation Sprint. I learned a lot and loved seeing the creative responses and cooperation among students.” 

The winning team — Prabhath Sundarapalli and Hinesh Jayeshkumar Patel from Dalhousie University — stood out with an idea focused on virtual tours for KingsPIER’s website. Their concept included online walkthroughs, workshops and educational content to help spread awareness about the sustainable vintage market and consignment shopping. They also proposed a better inventory model that preserves the story behind each unique item. 

Second place went to the team of Jane Truong (SMU), Mo Li (Dal), and Ibrahim Haddad DipENG’23, who presented thoughtful ideas centered on customer connection and operational improvements. Third place was awarded to Adam Traore and Benjamin Harper from SMU, along with Dal student Aiden Sheppard, who suggested a membership model designed to engage loyal customers and encourage sustainable purchasing habits while also supporting consistent cash flow. Laura left with new strategies to explore, and students walked away with valuable experience working on a real local business challenge. 

Visit our website to learn more about Innovation Sprint.

Atlantic Canada students team up with the Ecology Action Centre to tackle energy and climate challenges

This fall, the Saint Mary’s University Experience Ventures team partnered with the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) on a Social Impact Challenge aimed at driving meaningful change in Nova Scotia’s energy and climate landscape. This unique challenge spanned across Atlantic Canada, as students from Saint Mary’s, St. Thomas University, Cape Breton University, NSCAD, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Dalhousie University came together to collaborate virtually, share knowledge and build solutions for a more sustainable future.

The Ecology Action Centre’s Energy & Climate Team focuses on phasing out fossil fuels and creating a clean, reliable and affordable electricity system through research, advocacy and innovative collaboration. Through this challenge, 15 students joined forces to tackle pressing issues such as:

Energy Poverty in Nova Scotia:
Nearly 43% of Nova Scotians spend more than 6% of their income on energy costs. How can we reduce this burden and help families heat their homes without sacrificing essentials?

Green Trades and Energy Retrofitting in Cape Breton:
How can nonprofit organizations or social enterprises build green trades skills and retrofit homes to create sustainable jobs and cleaner communities?

Incentivizing Energy Retrofits in Multifamily Housing:
What policies or incentives can motivate landlords to make buildings energy-efficient, while keeping rent affordable for tenants?

Student deliver their final presentations to the Ecology Action Centre

The challenge began with a virtual kickoff on October 6, where students heard directly from the EAC’s Energy & Climate team about the challenges facing Nova Scotia’s energy future.

Over the course of one month, students conducted research, collaborated in diverse teams and developed strategic, data-informed recommendations. Weekly virtual office hours with EAC mentors ensured students had ongoing guidance, and participation was impressive; every session was filled with engaged, passionate students eager to refine their ideas and make a real impact. On November 3, students delivered their final presentations and written solutions, showcasing creative approaches that demonstrated both entrepreneurial thinking and deep social awareness.

Experience Ventures empowers students to think like entrepreneurs, digitally, creatively and impactfully. This Social Impact Challenge not only gave students valuable hands-on experience, it also strengthened connections between universities, industries and communities across the Atlantic region. Through challenges like this, students become mini-consultants, collaborating with real organizations to explore meaningful, innovation-driven solutions.

Robert (Rob) McLellan, a student from SMU, said. “I really enjoyed working on the project, analyzing case studies and energy data taught me a lot about Canada’s energy use and how to make it more affordable.”

Cierrah Smith, a second-year student at Dalhousie, said the program helped her develop skills in communication, collaboration and time management. “Balancing the project with other responsibilities was rewarding. I’d recommend this experience to other students!”

A partner from the Ecology Action Centre, Hannah Minzloff, said, “From start to finish, the team made the journey engaging and enjoyable. Engaging with students from different universities added depth, and we’ll be using their findings in our work. We highly recommend this initiative to other organizations!”

Interested in taking part in future challenges like this one?

Join the Experience Ventures interest list to gain early access to opportunities that let you learn by doing, work with real partners and make a difference in your community.

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Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, enables post-secondary students to make an impact alongside real world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. EV is funded by the Government of Canda and is delivered in partnership with post-secondary institutions nationwide.

Learn more about the Ecology Action Centre and discover how the EAC is leading Nova Scotia's transition to clean energy: EAC Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Bluesky

Sobey MBA ranked among Top 40 in the world for sustainability by Corporate Knights

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that the Sobey School of Business MBA program has been ranked among the Top 40 MBA programs worldwide in the Corporate Knights 2025 Better World MBA Ranking—a global benchmark for sustainability-focused business education. 

This international recognition highlights the Sobey MBA’s commitment to developing responsible, purpose-driven leaders equipped to build an inclusive and sustainable global economy. Rooted in the principle of "Responsible Leadership, the program integrates sustainability management, social entrepreneurship, and ethical decision-making across its curriculum. Faculty members contribute to this mission through relevant, impactful research and experiential learning that prepares graduates to lead with integrity and vision. 

The Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking evaluates programs around the world on their integration of sustainability, ethics and social impact across teaching, research, and institutional leadership. Being named among the top programs globally reinforces the strength of the Sobey MBA and its ongoing efforts to embed sustainability in every facet of business education. 

“This recognition speaks to the kind of learning environment we strive to create. Our goal is to ensure that every MBA student is equipped to lead responsibly, think critically about social and environmental challenges and contribute to meaningful change in their organizations and communities,” said Firat K. Sayin, Associate Professor and MBA Director. 

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and program advisors who continue to champion responsible leadership and sustainability throughout the Sobey MBA experience. Their contributions play a key role in shaping a program that aligns academic excellence with social and environmental responsibility. 

The Sobey School of Business extends its appreciation to the entire community for their continued dedication to the program’s growth and global impact. 

Learn more about the Corporate Knights ranking and the Sobey MBA: 

• Sobey School of Business MBA Program

• Corporate Knights Ranking 

• Annual Responsible Leadership Day

IKEA Canada CEO to headline Responsible Leadership in Retail event

Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Canada

Sobey School of Business to host 7th Annual Responsible Leadership Day featuring keynote by Selwyn Crittendon

The Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University will welcome Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Canada, as the keynote speaker at its 7th Annual Responsible Leadership Day on Friday, November 21, 2025. Learn more and register here.

Crittendon will share insights into IKEA’s ongoing sustainability and inclusivity commitments, discussing how the company integrates responsible practices into every part of its business. During the event, he will also be presented with the David Sobey Retailing Centre Distinguished Retailer Award, which honours retail leaders whose contributions have a lasting impact on their organizations, customers, and communities.

“IKEA’s vision of creating a better everyday life for people aligns perfectly with the values of responsible leadership,” says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Retailing Centre. “Selwyn’s participation offers an unparalleled opportunity for our students and community to learn from a leader redefining retail’s role in sustainability.”

This year’s event theme, “Responsible Leadership in Retail,” will explore how retail leaders can drive meaningful change through sustainability, equity and innovation. Presented by the David Sobey Retailing Centre, the annual event brings together students, faculty, industry experts and policymakers to discuss how the retail sector can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible operations, tackling issues such as waste reduction, responsible consumption, packaging and inclusive workplaces.

“Responsible Leadership Day showcases how business can be a force for good,” says Dr. Michel Delorme, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “This year’s focus on retail recognizes the sector’s powerful role in shaping consumer habits and setting global sustainability standards.”

As a PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) signatory since 2016 and PRME Champion since 2020, the Sobey School of Business continues to lead in aligning education, research and dialogue with the SDGs. Responsible Leadership Day embodies this commitment by creating space for collaboration, reflection, and action.

Student researcher digs into berry research in northern Canada

Claire Singer (far right, back) and Dr. Erin Cameron (far left, front) from Saint Mary’s University with members of the research project in September 2025 (“The Berry Happy Pickers”).

From back left: Elaine Lamalice (Hay River), Celine Proctor (Fort Good Hope), Lila Fraser Erasmus (Yellowknife), Beatrice Lepine (Hay River), Margaret Leishman (Ka'a'gee), Anne Thrasher (Paulatuk), Claire Singer. From front left: Dr. Erin Cameron, Megan Francisco (University of Victoria), Annie Buckle (Aklavik). Other project members missing from photo.

Curiosity about bears’ food sources led to years of research and collaboration with many people across the Northwest Territories in northern Canada

Claire Singer had been working at the Northwest Territories Species at Risk Secretariat for years when grizzly bears were assessed under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act in 2017.  

This review indicated a decline in berry crops—a key food source for the bears—but at the time, there was no definitive knowledge on the extent of the issue in the Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee recommended that this research be completed, focusing on the extensive knowledge held by Indigenous peoples in the region. 

“Berries are important ecologically, economically and culturally in the northern territories,” explained Claire. “There seemed to be a decline in this food source, and it was clear that more research was needed to gather information about the changes to the land and the habitat.”     

Around the same time, intrigued by a Facebook post to a page focused on the identification of Northwest Territories species by biology professor Dr. Erin Cameron, who was looking for graduate student researchers in her lab, Claire left her job with the government of the Northwest Territories after 13 years to start a PhD in 2020 at Saint Mary’s University. Her PhD examines changes in plant communities in the territory, with a focus on the status of berries. She lived in Halifax for her initial coursework during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning home to the Northwest Territories in 2022 to continue her research and PhD thesis, which she hopes to defend in the near future.

A few members of the team in Fort McPherson for the validation sessions: Claire Singer, Giannina Karki, Karl Hare, and Alestine Andre.

Conducting research in the Northwest Territories involved travelling and facilitating 118 interviews with elders across the region, as well as coordinating with various agencies, government groups and other stakeholders.  

Thanks in part to her work, cranberries will be assessed under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act in 2028. In her research, she learned about regional variations in berries across the territory. Changes in the landscape, from drought in the south to less predictable growing seasons in the north, and fires that saw two-thirds of the territory evacuated in 2023, all indicate that changes are occurring in this vital crop.  

Working with supervisor Dr. Cameron, master’s students and numerous collaborators helped make the sheer scale of the work possible. Project management, finding people to interview, arranging travel and translators, map making and transcribing and coding interviews to analyze data were all possible thanks to the team.  

“Summer students were a big part of the project; it never would have happened without their work,” explains Dr. Erin Cameron. “One student made maps to pinpoint areas where the berries were located. They also transcribed and coded interviews to analyze.” In particular, Giannina Karki, who graduated in 2024 with a BSc in Environmental Science from Saint Mary’s, worked with the team for one of her undergraduate summer co-op terms and continued to work with the project until this fall as a project manager, providing key logistical support. 

A published book that arose from the project, called “Guide to the Berries of the Northwest Territories”, has 14 author credits on the cover, including nine authors who act as the Indigenous knowledge advisory board for the project. One credit indicates a family connection for Claire—her mother, Lesley, created most of the beautiful illustrations throughout the book.   

The book documents Indigenous knowledge of berries throughout the NWT, outlines respectful harvesting principles, and identifies all known Northwest Territories berries and their habitat and uses. Other publications currently under development will summarize broader results from the interviews, including abundance, trends, interactions with animals, and threats, providing a picture of the status of berries across the territory. 

“It is a very collaborative process, and working with Elders who understand the scope of the history of the land is fascinating,” says Claire. “Elders see the changes to the land, and the effects of climate change vary from region to region, but they are generally more pronounced in northern latitudes.”  

As Claire continues her work on her PhD in a part-time capacity, she also operates an ecological consulting firm, Rubus Consulting, in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Her dog Rubus, after the Latin genus name for raspberries and cloudberries, is the namesake for the business. He loves eating berries.  

STARS Gold: Saint Mary’s earns national recognition for sustainability

Powered by our people: A sustainability story by everyone at Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s University has achieved a STARS Gold rating for sustainability. This is a national recognition that reflects years of work by students, faculty, staff and partners across campus.

Awarded by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Saint Mary’s now joins a select group of universities around the world recognized for high performance in sustainability across academics, operations, planning and community engagement.

“This great accomplishment is a people story,” says Dr. Margaret McKee, Associate Professor of Management in the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University. “Hundreds of students, staff, faculty, alumni and partners have contributed. This rating reflects their combined efforts over a number of years across all aspects of our campus.” 

What Gold looks like on campus

In the classroom: Saint Mary’s is recognized for its strength in sustainability-focused courses, research, and immersive learning.

In your hands: The SMU Community Garden keeps growing, led by students who are growing food, supporting pollinators, and connecting climate to community well-being.

In your cup: As a Certified Fair Trade Campus, Saint Mary’s supports ethical sourcing with every purchase: real impact, brewed daily.

Under your feet: The Trees of Saint Mary’s project has transformed the university into a living arboretum with over 100 species planted: shade, biodiversity and habitats rooted in over 30 years of care.

On the skyline: The Loyola Residence tower is the tallest integrated solar wall in North America — 22 storeys turning sunlight into clean energy every day.

On the wall: A three-storey living wall in the atrium just outside the Patrick Power Library cleans the air, regulates humidity, lowers heating costs, and brings nature into the heart of campus.

On two wheels: A self-service bike repair station, secure bike lockers and e-scooter and bike rentals on campus make it easier for students and staff to choose active, low-carbon transportation every day.

Along the shoreline: Through a partnership with TransCoastal Adaptations, Saint Mary’s students are restoring tidal wetlands, supporting habitat resilience and infrastructure.

On the water: Saint Mary’s researchers are empowering small-scale fishers and the ecosystems they depend on.

Around the world:  The Saint Mary’s Enactus team won the 2025 World Championship with community projects reducing plastic waste through Alaagi and improving food security through Square Roots.

“This Gold rating reflects years of hard work and thoughtful planning on how we build and care for the university, from major infrastructure upgrades to everyday sustainable choices,” says Dennis Gillis, Senior Director of Facilities Management. “You can see that commitment in the way we plan and operate our campus. Each project brings us closer to a more sustainable future.”

Faculty continue to add sustainability across programs, linking classroom learning to real-world challenges. Students analyze data, propose solutions and field-test their ideas.

Student leadership is at the heart of the Gold rating. Through entrepreneurship, policy advocacy, energy audits and waste reduction campaigns, students are leading by example and proving that small teams can drive big change.

“We’re proud of this achievement, but we’re not done,” says Dr. McKee. “To everyone who contributed by planting seeds, teaching, thinking outside the box and pushing for innovation — this achievement belongs to you.”

Bill Linton BComm'75 DComm'22 and his wife Marilynne Day-Linton made a generous gift to the Sobey School of Business and Saint Mary's University. Funds from The Linton Family Sustainability in Business Trust provided the preliminary funding for this project. 

The Gold rating is valid through 2028. The full STARS report provides a transparent breakdown of scores.

View the full STARS Gold report → Saint Mary's University | Scorecard | Institutions | STARS Reports

Cooking up a positive impact on Easy Platter’s operations

Mandhir Singh and Vishnu Priyan Mahendran

Harnessing data to reduce food waste

As Canada’s first on-demand personal chef service, Easy Platter offers a unique approach to meal preparation by enabling customers to hire personal chefs to plan menus and prepare high-quality, personalized meals.

To address operational challenges, Easy Platter collaborated with Dr. Yasushi Akiyama, a professor of Mathematics and Computing Science. Together, they designed a framework to calculate both ingredient costs and potential food waste for selected meal plans. With support from Vishnu Priyan Mahendran, a 2022 graduate student in the Master of Computing and Data Analytics program, they developed formulas and integrated them into the company’s system, improving efficiency.

“Dr. Akiyama was extremely helpful in not just identifying great talent at Saint Mary’s University but also collaborating with us throughout the project,” said Mandhir Singh, Founder of Easy Platter and 2012 MBA Graduate from Saint Mary’s University. “Vishnu has been a huge asset for Easy Platter and has contributed to multiple complex projects.” Vishnu has been employed with Easy Platter since he graduated.

The second phase of the project linked ingredient data with its supply chain. This integration offers automated insights into food waste, which helps the team track sustainability. With nearly 4,000 recipes, the system can now predict how much food waste a menu will generate.

The team also explored machine learning algorithms to identify ingredients that could cause nutrient deficiencies and provided recommendations to enhance meals’ nutritional value. This feature supports personalized nutrition plans, which are incorporated into Easy Platter’s final database and user interface.

With these insights, Easy Platter reduces food waste while helping customers enjoy healthier, personalized meals—combining sustainability and wellness in every dish.

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The Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) at Saint Mary’s University facilitates research partnerships between the University and companies, government departments and community organizations. OICE is the initial point of contact for faculty members and external partners wishing to collaborate. The office assists with finding suitable expertise, contract development and advising on funding opportunities.

This project highlight is from the 2025 OICE Report, which features researchers from Saint Mary's University and their external partners.

Alaagi joins Nestlé & UNESCO Top 100 Global Start-Ups

Tyler MacLean, Vaishali Sachdeva and Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25 competed for the Hult Prize in London

Summer 2025 has been a landmark season for Alaagi, a cleantech startup founded by recent Saint Mary’s University graduate Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25.

After spending August in London, UK at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator, Khan and teammates Tyler MacLean and Vaishali Sachdeva returned home to even bigger news: Alaagi has been named one of the Top 100 Global Start-ups by the Nestlé and UNESCO Youth Impact: Because You Matter program.

The recognition includes a grant and six months of mentorship designed to help young innovators strengthen sustainable food systems through regenerative agriculture, climate change solutions, and packaging innovations.

“The Hult Prize accelerator was completely transformative,” said Sheheryar Khan. “To spend a month with global leaders, investors, and other start-ups gave us insights and connections that would have taken years to build. Now, being recognized by Nestlé and UNESCO confirms our mission is resonating.”

Alaagi is developing compostable, seaweed-based bioplastic films for seafood and meat packaging. In the past year:

• Alaagi has secured over $11 million in commercial LOIs, including pilots with Sobeys and High Liner Foods.

• The company has received four purchase orders and won $165K in non-dilutive funding.

• Alaagi is being presented at Enactus World Cup, through Enactus Saint Mary’s, in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Alaagi will soon head to Paris for the Nestlé/UNESCO showcase event.

Learn more about entrepreneurship opportunities for students through SMU’s Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Saint Mary’s Enactus team to represent Canada at the World Cup Exposition in Thailand

Enactus Saint Mary’s won the National Championship in 2025

Saint Mary’s students head to Bangkok, Thailand, to represent Canada for the second year in a row at the Enactus World Cup Exposition

Last May, Enactus Saint Mary’s competed against 50 Canadian schools to win the Enactus Canadian National championship and the honour of being the only university to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup Exposition from September 25-28 in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the second year in a row that the Saint Mary’s team has been named national champions and represented Canada on the world stage.   

Enactus, the world's largest student leadership organization, empowers its members to use entrepreneurial action to solve environmental, social and economic issues. Teams from around the world tackle global problems and showcase their successes in regional, national and worldwide competitions.  

“Enactus Saint Mary’s University is a model for innovation and social entrepreneurship, and we are proud to have them represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup,” says Catherine Fowler, President and CEO, Enactus Canada. “From their leadership on Square Roots to their innovation on alternatives to single-use plastics with Alaagi, we are confident the team will be a top competitor amongst the 32 countries represented at the World Cup.” 

Enactus Saint Mary’s entrepreneurial actions enabled them to create social, environmental and economic impact. This year, their success comes from a passionate commitment to fostering positive change through two key ground-breaking projects: 

Alaagi 

Launched in July 2024, Alaagi is redefining the future of packaging. This student-led initiative has created a durable, fully compostable bioplastic made from seaweed. This innovative material can be used to make items like sandwich bags and grocery bags.  

Now, Alaagi is pioneering the world’s first industry-standard 10K Oxygen Transmission Rate bioplastic film suitable for meat and seafood packaging—an innovation with enormous commercial potential.  

Most recently, Alaagi has secured over $155,000 in non-diluted funding and was one of the top 24 teams in the world competing for the Hult Prize of $1 million in start-up funding.  

Square Roots 

Square Roots is a standout Enactus Saint Mary’s initiative and one of the longest-running projects in the Enactus Canada network. Founded in 2016, this Community Interest Corporation tackles two major issues—food waste and food insecurity—by rescuing surplus produce and providing it to customers in need at reduced prices.  
The project sources “seconds”—fresh produce that’s often discarded due to slight imperfections in appearance—directly from local farmers. Square Roots Community Managers then distribute it affordably across Nova Scotia.   

Starting with two locations in Halifax, Square Roots has expanded to 27 locations across Nova Scotia and has provided over 1 million pounds of fresh produce to community members. 

The team, led by Co-Presidents and accounting students Courtney Dingle and Sarah Wheeler, along with Gabe Martin BA’25, features 62 students from the Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. Twenty-one students will make the trip to the World Cup, along with staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. Saint Mary’s is the only university representing Canada in this competition. 

“We are incredibly proud of the efforts of every student who has made up this team,” says Co-President Courtney Dingle. “Their dedication to making the world around them better has earned us the title of National Champion for the second consecutive year, and we are excited to watch them take on the 2025 Enactus World Cup in Thailand.” 

This year, third-year accounting student and team captain Olivian Sanderson, third-year accounting and global business management student Becca Sullivan and second-year engineering student Mia Makhlouf take center-stage along with tech team Maya Campbell BComm’25 and criminology student Prateek Tamta. The team will compete in three rounds before a world champion is named. In addition, Saint Mary’s University will also represent Canada in the early-stage competition, comprised of account and business management student Kavya Shah, finance and accounting student Zach Collier and the tech team, accounting and finance student Hanna Johnson and marketing student Leah McNamara.

Follow the team’s journey on the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Canada social media channels.   

Active transportation update: Bird e-scooters now on campus

Saint Mary’s is making active transportation more accessible, affordable and appealing to the campus community. With new initiatives and infrastructure in place, SMU is encouraging students, staff and faculty to choose greener, healthier ways to get around. 

A new addition is the Bird Canada e-scooter program, launched in July with two dedicated locations on campus—the Burke Building and the canopy of the Engineering building (960 Tower Road). SMU students can enjoy exclusive perks, including 10 minutes free on their first ride (promo code: FORFREE, valid until October 1), and ongoing discounts with a SMU email address.  

Bird also offers semester subscriptions with $3 flat-rate rides, plus flexible ride passes for frequent users. Parents can even load funds directly into student accounts, making it easier to budget for sustainable travel. To get started, download the Bird app.

Cyclists can use the bike repair stations and secure bike lockers, which are available for rent. Lockers are located near the Dauphinee Centre and can be reserved online. These amenities are also visible on the Campus Map.

For faculty and staff, the Smart Trip Program offers a discounted Halifax Transit EPass, making public transit a more affordable commuting option. Learn more about this program.

In keeping with the sustainable transportation theme, on October 2, HRM will host a Halifax Urban Greenway engagement kiosk in the Loyola Colonnade from 1-4 p.m. This multi-use trail will pass through The Oaks property on campus. As an active project partner, SMU invites the campus community to share input and help shape this important addition to Halifax’s active transportation network. 

Together, these initiatives reflect Saint Mary’s commitment to sustainability, wellness and a more connected campus.

Wicked problems, innovative solutions

L-R): Sophie Kent-Purcell, Dr. Patricia Matsumoto, Dr. Peter Bush, Miranda Frison and Md Moniruzzaman

The Wicked Problems Lab serves as a learning hub for preparing undergraduate and graduate students for their careers

To tackle the complex environmental challenge of understanding and measuring forests effectively, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NSDNRR) teamed up with the Wicked Problems Lab at Saint Mary’s University. This partnership leverages advanced software and datasets to create innovative solutions for this local, national and global problem.

Wicked Problems Lab research analyst Dr. Patricia Matsumoto and Dr. Mathew Novak, Director, lead research focused on identifying old-growth forests, mapping forest changes over time, and forest landscape connectivity.

The research team is using several geospatial datasets to develop an Old Growth Forest Potential Index tool, which can be used to plan field activities and support land management decisions related to development proposals such as wind farms. The research team has also been focused on applying the latest methodologies in remote sensing, geographical information systems (GIS) and machine-learning algorithms to understand forest gain and loss in the province in a historical time-series.

The seven students employed by the Lab for the forestry project have learned how to interpret remote sensing images, create, manipulate and edit large GIS datasets, use the latest geospatial software and write reports and scientific manuscripts.

“Collaborating with the lab and students means we’re using the latest geomatics tools and research methods, which aren’t always accessible to our staff,” said Dr. Peter Bush, Provincial Landscape Forester at NSDNRR.

Through its partnership with NSDNRR, the Wicked Problems Lab exemplifies how academia and government can work together to create innovative, data-driven solutions for environmental sustainability and resource management in Nova Scotia and beyond.

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The Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) at Saint Mary’s University facilitates research partnerships between the University and companies, government departments and community organizations. OICE is the initial point of contact for faculty members and external partners wishing to collaborate. The office assists with finding suitable expertise, contract development and advising on funding opportunities.

This project highlight is from the 2025 OICE Report, which features researchers from Saint Mary's University and their external partners.