Custom apparel business partners with students for practical business solutions

Innovation Sprint participants from SMU, Dal, NSCC and UNB

First-Place Team: Omar Dahleh, Haniel Lordwin and Martino Elias

Second-Place Team: Hinesh Jayeshkumar Patel, Prabhath Sundarapalli and Benison Ratheesh Amirvin

Third-Place Team: Tianhe Xu, Vadym Smal and Adrien Saxby-Smith

High Powered Customs, a Dartmouth-based custom apparel business, partnered with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and NSCC during the final Provincial Innovation Sprint of the fall term to connect with post-secondary students from across Nova Scotia and gather fresh ideas to support the growth of their business.

Founded by NSCC alumnus Stefan Williams, High Powered Customs offers customized printing services for T-shirts, hoodies, hats and toques. The business is rooted in community engagement and focuses on values of equality, sustainability and long-term growth. This Innovation Sprint was designed to help Stefan tackle key business challenges while giving students a real-world opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve and share innovative perspectives.

The event took place at the NSCC Makerspace in Dartmouth and brought together 25 students from Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University, NSCC and the University of New Brunswick. Notably, three students travelled from New Brunswick to participate, highlighting the strong interest and commitment from learners across the region. The Co-President of the Enactus NSCC Ivany Campus also took part in the day, contributing insights and energy throughout the sprint.

Students were presented with a challenge statement focused on improving pricing metrics to remain competitive in the custom apparel industry, scaling production with a small three-person team and creating a loyalty program to encourage repeat customers. Throughout the sprint, teams developed and pitched thoughtful, practical ideas aimed at supporting High Powered Customs’ next phase of growth.

“Even though we didn’t win, it was really valuable to see so many different ideas come together,” said Leo, an NSCC student who participated in the Innovation Sprint. “You can only come up with so much on your own, but when students put their minds together, it leads to ideas you can build even bigger things from.”

Some teams suggested implementing “give-back incentives,” such as offering discounts in exchange for donated clothing, which could then be repurposed or redistributed in meaningful ways. Others proposed partnerships with institutional societies and campus groups to build long-term customer relationships and encourage repeat business. Additional ideas included exploring opportunities within the tourism industry to reach new audiences and expand brand visibility.

The top-performing teams were recognized at the end of the sprint. First place was awarded to Haniel Lordwin, Martino Elias and Omar Dahleh, representing students from Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University. Second place went to Dalhousie students Prabhath Sundarapalli, Benison Ratheesh Amirvin and Hinesh Jayeshkumar Patel. Third place was awarded to NSCC students Vadym Smal, Tianhe Xu and Adrien Saxby-Smith.

Overall, the Innovation Sprint provided valuable insights for Stefan and meaningful, hands-on experience for students, reinforcing the value of collaboration between local businesses and the post-secondary community.

Being There wins $11,000 for innovative approach to senior care

This year’s Innovation Cup hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre brought together students from Science, Arts and Business for one goal: to turn bold ideas into solutions that can make a real difference. Over ten weeks, participants pushed themselves through hands-on training, weekly eliminations and mentorship from industry professionals, all for the chance to win $10,000 in funding that they can reinvest in their business.

The Innovation Cup is built around collaboration, creativity and learning by doing. Through sessions focused on customer discovery, problem identification, ideation, concept development, financial planning and funding strategies, students were challenged to think critically and put their ideas to the test. What started with nine teams was narrowed down to four standout finalists who presented in front of a packed room of judges, community members, alumni and past Innovation Cup winners.

The top four teams tackled issues across health, food security, renewable energy and long-term care. Being There is a non-profit using preventative care to help older adults stay safe, stable and independent, while avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits. The Good Foodie pitched a food-exchange app that connects grocery stores with excess food to those within their neighborhood who need it. RMap introduced an AI-powered geospatial platform to simplify renewable energy site selection. Lastly, Gladsome Longterm Care proposed a warm, community-based alternative to traditional dementia care.

Throughout the competition, teams received mentorship from guest judges and professionals, including semi-final judges Kim Dixon, Director of Learning & Workforce Transformation (COVE) and Minder Singh, Senior Account Executive (Halifax Partnership). Their insights helped students refine their ideas, strengthen their business cases and build confidence heading into the final presentations

Adding to the excitement, members from the 2024 and 2023 winning teams, Olivian Sanderson (Sociable) and Courtney Dingle (EmerAlt), returned to cheer on this year's finalists. The Innovation Cup trophy itself came from a local business, Nova Trophy, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to supporting community partners.

After a competitive final round judged by Max Medyk, Founder & CEO (I’m Canada Media), Jisun Ryu, Student Success Project Coordinator (EduNova) and Mike Rothenberg, Economic Development Officer (ACOA), this year’s winning team was Being There, led by Stuti Sandhu (Arts), Mia Makhlouf (Engineering) and Nahriza Zahid (Business).

Being There team members with finalist judges

The team won a total of $11,000—the $10,000 grand prize and an additional $1,000 for earning the Audience Choice Award. Their vision is to reshape how older adults age at home by offering evidence-based, preventive support that prioritizes dignity, independence and connection. Being There is a project of Enactus Saint Mary’s, which won the World Cup in Thailand last October.  

The Innovation Cup continues to be a launchpad for emerging changemakers. What begins as an idea in week one often becomes a refined, investment-ready concept by week ten, proving what happens when students are given the tools, mentorship, and community to bring their ideas to life.

Watch the 2025 Innovation Cup recap reel

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.

Student-led ideas drive WorkSource Alliance Innovation Sprint

WorkSource Alliance, an organization based in Prince Edward Island, is dedicated to helping international students and graduates build meaningful careers in the region. Through professional development support, EDI-focused corporate consulting and regular events and webinars, they work to connect students with opportunities while also helping employers create inclusive workplaces.

This fall, WorkSource Alliance partnered with students at Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University for an Innovation Sprint held at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. The session brought together 12 international students who were invited to share their ideas on how the organization could strengthen and expand its platform.

The organization’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, Daniel Ohaegbu, is currently an MTEI student at SMU. His own experience navigating the international student journey helped shape the early vision for WorkSource Alliance. Identifying a clear gap in accessible, tailored support for international graduates, Daniel set out to build something that would make entering the workforce easier, more transparent and more equitable.

During the Sprint, students worked in teams and presented a range of thoughtful solutions. Some focused on ways to help students gain more hands-on experience, such as a Business Assisted Learning model that offers micro-placements or short-term opportunities to help build résumés more quickly. Other teams recommended adding “gig-style” roles in partnership with local employers to give students more flexible options. There were also suggestions for new marketing approaches, updates to the organization’s consulting services and ideas for expanding the variety of work opportunities on the platform.

At the end of the session, WorkSource Alliance selected three teams as winners:

• First Place: Hazzaa Sujeer and Chloe Pobjoy-Ridolfo (SMU)

• Second Place: Ibrahim Haddad and Hassan Rashid (Dal)

• Third Place: Nguyen Thu Trang Truong and Boluwatife Erogbogbo (SMU)

First place team

Second place team

Third place team

The WorkSource Alliance team shared that they were impressed by the quality and practicality of the ideas presented. They also offered an additional $500 in prize money to the teams that did not place, noting that every group contributed valuable insight. The organization expressed interest in continuing to build on the recommendations shared throughout the sprint.

Learn more about Innovation Sprints on our website.

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

Students develop fresh ideas for Elevate Media in Provincial Innovation Sprint

Students from Saint Mary’s University, NSCC, Dalhousie University, Cape Breton University and St. Francis Xavier University came together at the end of October for the second Provincial Innovation Sprint, a high-energy problem-solving event designed to connect students with industry. The Sprint invited participants to support Elevate Media, a growing social media management agency based in Sydney, NS, by developing ideas that could strengthen the company’s reach and long-term growth.

Participants of the virtual Provincial Innovation Sprint

The virtual session allowed broader participation, bringing together students from across the province. This created a collaborative environment where students from different institutions engaged meaningfully with each other and the business.

Elevate Media is co-owned by Ethan MacLean, an NSCC alumnus and Brooke McDonald, a current NSCC student. Together, they help businesses improve their digital presence by adapting content to current trends and maintaining clear and consistent brand storytelling.

Ethan and Brooke challenged students to develop a plan for expanding their services across Canada while preserving their authentic, creative approach and strong client relationships.

Students were introduced to the challenges of helping Elevate Media scale its business to serve clients across Canada, ensuring that the agency could maintain authentic connections, uphold consistent brand storytelling and deliver the creative quality clients have come to expect, even without being physically present for every piece of content creation.

Drawing from diverse academic backgrounds, the students worked to create solutions that combined creativity with strategic business thinking. Ideas included building partnerships with freelancers and designing automated systems to streamline client outreach. Several teams also explored Elevate Media’s brand positioning and recommended developing a more distinctive name to stand out in a competitive market.

Dalhousie student Omar Dahleh

Dalhousie student Omar Dahleh earned first place for presenting a clear and future-focused approach to supporting Elevate Media’s growth. Cape Breton University student Ryan Drohan and St. Francis Xavier University student Emma Jewkes placed second for their thoughtful recommendations around partnerships and expansion. Third place went to Saint Mary’s students Martino Elias and Jaxon Yon for their creative ideas related to workflow improvements and brand identity.

Ethan and Brooke expressed their appreciation for the students’ professionalism and insight. They shared that the ideas generated during the Sprint offered valuable direction for the company’s next stage of growth and demonstrated how impactful student perspectives can be when applied to real business challenges.

The Provincial Innovation Sprint continues to bring motivated students together with Nova Scotia businesses that want to innovate and grow. For Elevate Media, the ideas presented open new opportunities for expansion. For students, the Sprint provided practical experience in supporting a fast-growing digital agency in an evolving industry.

Students team up to boost local pet business through Innovation Sprint

Students from Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie joined Jenn and Winston from East Coast Dog at the recent Innovation Sprint

Students from Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University recently teamed up to help East Coast Dog, Halifax’s premium boutique pet store and grooming salon, strengthen its community engagement and brand presence. The challenge was part of the Innovation Sprint program held at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, where students collaborate with local businesses to apply creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking to real-world needs.

Founded and operated by Jenn Marotta, East Coast Dog has quickly become a trusted name in the local pet care community. With a background in animal care and customer service, Jenn built her business around one goal: to create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience for both pets and their people. Combining professional on-leash dog walking, expert grooming and high-quality retail, she’s built a space that reflects her passion for animal well-being and community connection.

When Jenn joined the Innovation Sprint, she brought her dog Winston, who quickly became the star of the event. Students connected deeply with East Coast Dog’s mission and were curious to learn about the certifications and training programs that make the business unique. Over the course of the session, they worked in small teams to brainstorm ways to expand community engagement, attract new customers and build brand loyalty through creative programs and partnerships.

Ideas ranged from dog run clubs and reward programs to rehab coaching for retired K-9s and community training events. Many teams focused on initiatives that would deepen local connections and create memorable experiences for pet owners, while also introducing new revenue streams for the business.

The winning team took home the program’s $1,000 grand prize. To close the session, Jenn also awarded $170 in gift cards to the top three teams and $5 gift cards to all participants-a thoughtful gesture that reflected her commitment to appreciation and community spirit.

The winning team, Mila Souilliere and Patricia Tagliapietra from Dalhousie University, impressed Jenn with their creative approach to community engagement. In fact, one of the winning ideas even sparked a potential collaboration. A student who runs a local club caught Jenn’s attention and the two discussed partnering on a future event.

From Pugwash to the World Cup stage: BComm student champions community, entrepreneurship and global impact

BComm student Olivian Sanderson presents at the Enactus World Cup stage in Bangkok, Thailand

Olivian Sanderson grew up in Pugwash, Nova Scotia—a rural, picturesque fishing village with approximately 800 full-time residents. In just a few short years since coming to Saint Mary’s, she’s had the chance to travel the world and make a meaningful impact in the community through her involvement with Enactus Saint Mary’s and the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Growing up, Olivian learned from her parents the importance of hard work, community and seizing opportunities. She made an impression during her high school years as Chair of the Cumberland County Youth Council, Student Council President, Ambassador for the Nova Scotia International Student Program and recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Award (2022) and Governor General’s Academic Medal of Canada (2023).

When considering universities, Olivian knew she wanted to experience city life and find a program that would allow her to pursue her passion for business and community building. Knowing its reputation as one of Canada’s best business schools, she applied to the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s.

She was the successful recipient of a Sobey National Innovator Scholarship, including on her application: “Looking to the future, I have big dreams and aspirations. I am passionate about understanding how the economy works and plan to use my skills to be involved in projects that support the community, as it has provided so much for me. I want to make the best world for myself and the people around me.”

Now a third-year accounting and management student, she’s made great strides toward her goals as the Co-Founder of the Sociable start-up and presenter for the global award-winning Enactus team.

Launching Sociable

Despite being very involved in high school, Olivian found the first few weeks of university difficult and lonely. Determined to find her place at Saint Mary’s, she dove headfirst into everything – trying out multiple societies and volunteering. Ultimately, it was Enactus and the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre where she found her place among people who shared her passion for big dreams and doing business for good.

Olivian found community and leadership opportunities through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

During a session with Enactus Saint Mary’s, the idea for the Sociable start-up was formed. Sociable is an online community platform that helps students connect, get peer support and gain access to campus events. It builds student engagement, boosting student retention, wellness and success. Olivian and co-founder of Sociable, Jason Phonchareon BSc’25, developed the start-up to address student loneliness and mental health concerns, something they both experienced.

In 2024, Sociable won the Dream Chaser Change Maker (DCCM) Foundation Social Impact Award, which included a $10,000 prize to support business development – bringing Olivian one step closer to making a positive impact on students’ lives.  

Seeing the world with Enactus

In 2024, Enactus Saint Mary’s won the National Enactus Championship for the first time. As a member of the presentation team, Olivian had the opportunity to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, to represent Canada in the World Cup competition. While they didn’t win in Kazakhstan, it was an incredible learning experience for Olivian and her teammates.

In 2025, during Olivian’s second year as presentation team captain, the Saint Mary’s team earned their second National Championship win. This time, they travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, to compete against 28 of the best teams from around the world in the Enactus World Championship.

The team worked around the clock on their presentation about two student-run social enterprises—Alaagi and Square Roots—practicing, editing and preparing to answer questions. Olivian applied her work ethic and passion to the Enactus presentation, sharing the inspiring work being done by students at Saint Mary’s. Facing finalists from Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Germany, their presentation wowed the judges, and the team was crowned Enactus World Champion – the first world title for Saint Mary’s University.

Olivian on stage at the Enactus World Cup in Thailand

Enactus Saint Mary’s celebrates winning the World Cup

Reflecting on her first two years at Saint Mary’s, Olivian sometimes shakes her head at how much she has experienced. Her advice to new students: get as involved as you can.

“Classes are great, but you will have life-changing experiences in extra-curricular activities. The mentorship, the soft skills, and the network – so very valuable. It’s thanks to those experiences that I’ve been able to see the world.”

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Opportunities at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre are open to all Saint Mary’s students – check out their programs and events here.

Engineering students tackle real-world medical challenge in hybrid hackathon

First-place team

Second-place team

Third-place team

When 18 undergraduate students from Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University joined a week-long engineering hackathon this September, they weren’t just tackling a school project, they were helping shape the future of cancer care.

Through the Experience Ventures program at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, students took part in a hybrid Engineering Hackathon in partnership with Qalam Health Solutions, an Atlantic Canadian startup developing a product called the Osteoprobe: an AI-powered medical device that helps surgeons detect remaining bone cancer tissue in real time. The innovation could one day help reduce unnecessary amputations and lower relapse rates.

From September 19–26, students worked in small teams to design creative solutions for Qalam’s challenge — developing ways to improve their AI-powered medical device that helps surgeons detect bone cancer tissue in real time during surgery. Guided by Qalam’s founder and CEO, Haitham Shoman, the teams brainstormed, tested ideas and presented their final pitches at the end of the week.

One team stood out for more than just their idea. The winning team impressed Qalam so much that they were offered the chance for a future internship, a powerful reminder of how meaningful connections can be built.

“This program has been valuable to Qalam Health Solutions,” said Qalam’s founder and CEO, Haitham Shoman. “Students dove into real technical challenges mechanical, electrical and design to came up with solutions worth exploring.”

For many students, the experience was their first chance to apply classroom learning to real-world problems, working side by side with industry mentors.

“This hackathon helped me connect theory with practice,” said Aweer Yuang, a second-year Engineering student at Dalhousie. “It taught me to think like an entrepreneur and to keep finding solutions, even when things didn’t go as planned.”

The event was organized by Experience Ventures, which serves as the regional lead for Atlantic Canada. The program focuses on making hands-on opportunities accessible to all students. Over 80% of its experiences are offered virtually, allowing learners from across the region to participate and build valuable industry connections.

If you want to be a part of the Experience Ventures program or learn more, click here.

Celebrating excellence: Saint Mary’s faculty recognized for external research funding

Dr. Adam Sarty recognizes researchers during a recent reception

Researchers at Saint Mary’s University were recently recognized for their success in securing over $10 million in external funding to engage in important work in their fields. The funding received was in the form of research contracts, Canada Research Chair positions and tri-council grants.

Saint Mary’s researchers are focused on such diverse topics as black holes, seaweed-based bioplastics, generating resilience in youth service, improving small-scale fisheries, building healthy leadership systems, innovations in job interviews, and creating culturally sensitive, trauma-informed tools with First Nation communities.

A celebration to honour 116 researchers from the faculties of Science, Arts, the Sobey School of Business and two staff members from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre took place in the McNally Theatre Auditorium on October 10.

Special mentions were given to Dr. Paul Muir in Mathematics and Computing Science for receiving consistent NSERC funding over 40 years. Dr. John Young, Professor Emeritus, was also acknowledged for becoming the fifth Honorary member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science for his contributions to mathematics and chemistry over 75 years.

The calibre of research happening here at Saint Mary’s University is something that we should all be proud of, congratulations again to all of those that have been recognized.

Nova Scotia students team up for first Provincial Innovation Sprint

Saint Mary’s and NSCC students participated together in an Innovation Sprint for The Dordéan Suites of Chester

Students from Saint Mary’s University and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) came together for the first-ever Provincial Innovation Sprint on September 26 at NSCC’s Lunenburg Campus in Bridgewater, NS. 

The day marked the start of a new two-year partnership between the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and NSCC, designed to connect students and local businesses across Nova Scotia through hands-on innovation challenges. 

Ten students, five from each institution, were paired up to help The Dordéan Suites of Chester, a social enterprise that provides meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Their task was to develop new ideas to promote the cabin’s unique features and reach a younger audience looking for memorable, local getaways. 

Over four hours, the teams brainstormed, sketched and refined their ideas with guidance from faculty mentors and NSCC representative Nicole Osmond. Students proposed themed getaway packages, wellness experiences and ways to highlight the cabins’ story through community partnerships and social media. 

For business owners Renena and Shawn Joy, the experience was both exciting and inspiring. 

“We had a great experience participating in the Innovation Sprint,” they shared. “It was inspiring to see students bring creativity, fresh ideas and energy to the challenges at The Dordéan Suites of Chester. Their innovative solutions and thoughtful presentations were an excellent example of the value of collaboration and new perspectives.” 

By the end of the afternoon, three teams stood out. Taking first place were Caroline MacPhee and Abbigail Leslie-Bigelow, both NSCC students, whose concept drew on their Irish heritage. They envisioned transforming a common space into an area for meditation and healing activities, working with local wellness and cultural groups to bring the idea to life. Impressed by their thoughtful approach, Renena and Shawn offered them a complimentary stay at the cabin as a thank you. 

Second place went to Dwiesha Swann and Mannat Gogia from Saint Mary’s and Amber Davis from NSCC, while third place went to Hazzaa Sujeer and Kathleen Steele, both from Saint Mary’s. 

The event was a chance for students to apply what they’ve learned, collaborate with peers from another institution and see how their ideas can make a tangible difference for a local business. 

More events like this are planned across the province, giving students the opportunity to turn creativity into impact one challenge at a time. 

Learn more about Innovation Sprints and how you can get involved here.