Distinguished diplomat Donica Pottie to receive honorary degree

Donica Pottie BA’85

Saint Mary’s University will proudly bestow an honorary degree upon Donica Pottie BA’85, a trailblazing diplomat and advocate for human rights, at Spring Convocation this May. Her remarkable journey from a Saint Mary’s graduate to a Canadian ambassador exemplifies resilience, dedication and global citizenship.

In 1985, Pottie became one of the first Asian Studies Honours graduates from Saint Mary’s University. As one of the early students in the Asian Studies program, she embarked on a journey to China in 1983, where her passion for international affairs and cultural exchange led her to explore new horizons.

Pottie’s career with External Affairs and International Trade Canada began in 1991. Her contributions spanned various critical roles, including:

• Director of Human Security Policy (2007–2010)

• Director of Development Policy and International Financial Institutions (2012–2013)

• Director of Peace Support Operations and Fragile States Policy (2013–2015)

• Director General of Consular Operations (2015–2016)

Overseas, she served as a diplomat in China, Jordan, Cambodia and Thailand, where her tenure as ambassador to these countries showcased her commitment to diplomacy, peacekeeping and human rights. Her advocacy extends beyond borders in her support of human security, women’s rights and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, which she has publicly defended in countries where these rights are restricted.

In 2021, Pottie managed the Canadian contribution to a US$1.6 million UNESCO education fund for Jordan, as well as helped to negotiate a $120 million Canadian Sovereign Loan for education in Jordan. Her commitment to educational investment aligns with Saint Mary’s values.

As a Saint Mary’s graduate, she embodies the theme of modern global citizenship highlighted in the university’s Strategic Research Plan (2021–2026). Her distinguished record of achievement is complemented by personal moral integrity, and her dedication to diplomacy and human rights is truly commendable. 

Pottie will receive a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa, on Friday, May 17. See the convocation program for full details.

President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, commends Ms. Pottie’s unwavering commitment. “Donica Pottie is very deserving of this honorary degree. Her exemplary service as a diplomat and advocate has made a lasting impact on the world, championing human rights and equality.”

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Spring Convocation takes place May 15-17, 2024. Ceremonies will be live-streamed via www.smu.ca/graduation.

Larry Freeman, K.C. to be recognized with honorary degree for significant community involvement

Larry Freeman

Saint Mary’s University will confer an honorary degree upon Lawrence (Larry) Freeman, K.C., recognizing his exceptional contributions to the legal profession, community and public service. As a well-known Halifax lawyer, Freeman’s dedication has left an indelible mark on Nova Scotia.

Freeman’s commitment to community and public service spans decades. His tireless efforts have improved the lives of countless Nova Scotians. As a partner at Stewart McKelvey, Atlantic Canada’s first and largest regional law firm, Freeman has provided counsel to clients for over 40 years. His expertise in banking, financing, commercial lending and corporate law has made a significant impact.

Freeman has been deeply involved in the community and Canadian culture. His memberships in the Canadian Bar Association, the Community Leadership Advisory Council, and the Heart & Stroke Foundation demonstrate his commitment to well-being.

Notably, Larry joined the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors in 2008 and served as the board Chair from 2019-2022. His role provided invaluable insights into the university’s strengths, challenges and opportunities.

Freeman’s journey in higher education began at Dalhousie University, where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce in 1970 and his Bachelor of Laws in 1973.

Freeman will receive a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa, on Friday, May 17. See the convocation program for full details.

President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray said, “Larry Freeman’s passion for addressing issues of inequity, social justice, and building strong relationships has left an indelible mark. As we celebrate his achievements, we recognize the profound influence he has had on our students and Nova Scotia.”

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Spring Convocation takes place May 15-17, 2024. Ceremonies will be live-streamed via www.smu.ca/graduation.

Saint Mary’s University appoints new Dean of the Sobey School of Business

Dr. Michel Delorme

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michel Delorme to the position of Dean of the Sobey School of Business, effective July 1, 2024.

“Under Dr. Delorme’s leadership, the Sobey School of Business will build on its position as one of Canada’s most established and respected business schools and the business school of choice for students aspiring to lead with purpose,” said Saint Mary’s University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.   

Dr. Delorme brings more than 12 years of experience in leadership positions in business schools, nationally and internationally, and over 25 years of experience in higher education. He has extensive knowledge of accreditation processes, developing international partnerships and facilitating university teaching, research and leadership. Currently serving as Dean of the Faculty of Management at Laurentian University, Dr. Delorme has also served as Director of Simmons University School of Business, USA (AACSB accredited); Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Burgundy School of Business, France (AACSB and EQUIS accredited); Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at ESDES, the Business School of the Catholic University of Lyon, France (AACSB accredited); and Vice Dean for Knowledge Development and Research at Rennes School of Business, France (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS accredited). 

“This distinctive leadership position represents an excellent opportunity to help develop students’ potential, guide their personal and professional lives, and prepare them to become authentic and conscientious leaders of tomorrow,” said Dr. Delorme. “I am honoured to take up this position as Dean of the Sobey School, one of Canada’s most accredited and highly regarded business schools.” 

Dr. Delorme looks forward to getting to know the Saint Mary’s community and is impressed by the university's strong reputation, supportive student experience, excellent resources and quality of life in Halifax. He sees opportunities to contribute to the institution's growth, appreciates the support from the Sobey family and values the dynamism of the people at Saint Mary’s. 

The Sobey School of Business is one of Canada’s oldest, most respected and comprehensive business schools, with undergraduate, graduate and executive professional development programming.

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

Loyola Residence tower

Saint Mary’s University’s solar installation on the Loyola Residence tower has won this year’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering. It is a fitting tribute to SMU and Dillon Consulting, who, with this project, transformed this 22-storey student residence into the tallest integrated solar exterior in North America.

“This project demonstrates the tangible contribution of Canadian engineers towards solving the global challenge of climate change,” says Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor. “When the opportunity came along, the team at SMU and Dillon Consulting did not hesitate to try something new, something truly innovative. We sincerely hope this is just the first of many similar integrated photovoltaic installations.” 

The project, which began in 2023 and was completed in 2024, involved replacing the worn south-facing exterior wall with new building-integrated photovoltaic cells (BIPVs). Instead of attaching solar panels, the building surface itself generates electricity when in direct contact with sunlight. The project was carried out by DSRA Architects, Dillon Consulting, BMR Structural Engineering, EllisDon, Grey Cardinal Management Inc., Able Electric and Markland. 

“Through the seamless combination of photovoltaic cladding, we redefine not just the skyline in Halifax but also the standards of professional engineering,” said Benjamin Doucet, P.Eng., Project Manager, Dillon Consulting Limited. “This project not only uplifts the image of our profession but firmly establishes Nova Scotia as a leader in adopting out-of-the-box engineering solutions. It encapsulates our commitment to excellence, economic sustainability and the bright future of green technology. Together, we're not just building structures; we're engineering a brighter, sustainable future.” 

The $6-million retrofit project will provide approximately 100,000 kWh of clean energy to the campus annually, including 50 percent of the energy required by the Loyola building, lowering its carbon footprint.

Senior Director of Facilities Management Dennis Gillis said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to make an impact on the environment, to push the envelope and to show people that it is ok to do things a little differently—we must do things differently when it comes to the environment. We are hoping the recognition from this award will further encourage others to take similar steps to help in the area of climate change.” 

A ceremony will be held at the Government House in May 2024. The Honourable Arthur K. LeBlanc, ONS, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, will present the award to representatives of Saint Mary’s University and Dillon Consulting Ltd.

New data challenge early JWST claims about the age of the universe

A year ago, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) sent shockwaves through the astronomical community with reports of unexpectedly massive and ancient galaxies in the distant universe. The existence of such massive galaxies so soon after the Big Bang suggested that the universe could be much older than the 13.8 billion years the astronomers had come to accept.

Dr. Guillaume Desprez

Now, a new study led by Saint Mary’s researcher Dr. Guillaume Desprez and his team offers a groundbreaking reassessment. “The early results from JWST were a shock,” says Dr. Desprez. “Some astronomers suggested that textbooks would have to be rewritten. So, we decided to take a closer look.”

Early JWST observations of the early universe pointed to galaxies so ancient and massive they seemed implausible within the universe's established 13.8 billion-year timeline. These claims, initially presented in a preprint and later in a Nature publication in February 2023, prompted a reevaluation of our cosmic history.

Desprez's team, harnessing recent, detailed JWST data from the CANUCS (Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey) project, embarked on a meticulous analysis of these claims.

Using their new CANUCS data, the researchers searched for galaxies similar to those in the initial study and located at a similar distance, about 13 billion light years away. “We selected galaxies akin to the five in the original study and analyzed them in very similar ways. Our 20 candidates, however, proved neither massive nor old,” explains Dr. Desprez.

Dr. Marcin Sawicki

The research revealed these galaxies as young, not ancient relics. “The light from these galaxies took 13 billion years to reach us, offering a glimpse when the universe was just 5 percent of its current age,” explains Dr. Marcin Sawicki, also of Saint Mary’s University and key co-author of the study.

“They give us a view of what the cosmos was like in its early stages, but, contrary to the early claims, we found no massive, old galaxies there. If such galaxies did exist in the distant past, they must have been much less common than the early JWST results suggested,” elaborates Desprez. 

The team used new JWST data from the CANUCS program, which has observed many more areas of the sky than was used in the original study published in Nature in 2023. “This is important because by observing multiple areas in the sky, we get a much better, more accurate idea of what is typical and what is not in the early universe,” says team member Dr. Adam Muzzin of York University in Toronto, Canada, and a key co-author of the study.

This discovery solidifies the current understanding of the universe's age. “The universe's age stands firm at 13.8 billion years old. No need to rewrite our astronomy textbooks yet,” comments Desprez. The team’s findings, though not outright disproving the initial study, suggest that even if a few ancient galaxies existed in the distant universe, such old monsters must be exceptionally rare. “Even if one or two of the original study's galaxies in the end turn out to be massive or old, such extreme objects appear extremely rare—far less common than was first concluded with early JWST data,” elaborates Dr. Nick Martis, a lead co-author of the study, now at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.

These findings, recently accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS), significantly advance our understanding of the early universe's composition and evolution. CANUCS is one of the two main programs through which the Canadian Webb science team is using 450 hours of guaranteed observing time and is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Canadian Space Agency.

Read more: ΛCDM not dead yet: massive high-z Balmer break galaxies are less common than previously reported

Canada's brightest student entrepreneurs shine at The Arena

The Arena 2024 Pitch Competition concluded after a thrilling 40-day battle, crowning Keeley McCormick as the champion with a prize of $10,000. Keeley, a University of Victoria Engineering and Computer Science student, impressed the judges with her innovative venture, Revyn Medical Technologies Inc. The company redesigned a vaginal speculum that prioritizes patient comfort and sustainability. 

Revyn Medical Technologies: a patient-centered solution

Founded by Keeley and a dedicated team from the University of Victoria, Revyn tackles the discomfort associated with traditional speculums. Through surveys of over 600 patients, they identified a significant number experiencing anxiety and even avoiding examinations due to speculum use. Their redesigned speculum aims to alleviate this issue while remaining effective for practitioners.

This win propels Revyn forward, allowing them to develop prototypes utilizing biocompatible materials and minimizing patient discomfort.

A fierce finale and generous supporters

Miswar Syed from the University of Waterloo won second place at The Arena with his business, Swish, which creates transparent screens that retrofit existing solar panels and can remove dust using nanotechnology. Swish allows solar panels to be cleaned multiple times a day and increases the efficiency of capturing energy, which could be especially beneficial in deserts where dust is a significant concern.

The final pitch battle between Keeley and Miswar presented a tough decision for the distinguished judges, which included Saint Mary’s alumni Shannon Byrne Susko BComm'89 BSc'92, April Howe EMBA'18, Mandhir Singh MBA'14, James “JC” Curleigh BComm’89 DComm'22 and Alexandra McCann.

Special recognition goes to Shannon's company, Metronomics, for sponsoring the competition and providing each finalist with a $10,000 award. Pat Whalen, Founder and CEO of Extension Marketing, also provided marketing support to the finalists valued at $5,000.

“Thank you to all participants for showcasing their brilliant ideas,” says Michael Sanderson, the Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. “A special appreciation to the sponsors and judges whose essential contributions ensure the success of this pitch event.”

A national celebration of innovation

The Arena 2024 was not just about one winner. It was a nationwide showcase of student entrepreneurial talent, featuring 64 students from 29 universities, coast to coast. Seven contestants from Saint Mary's University battled with fellow entrepreneurs across Canada and showcased their businesses, including Maddie Bristol (Plastarch), Storme McNeil (Smile Vodka Water), Queen-Esther Okundonor (QTress Beauty Supplies), Jayrell Diggs (SudDrop Laundry Services), Aneesa Hussain (Plane Platter), Alexia Bourgeois (Gal Pal) and Yomna Ibrahim (Sociable). Their entrepreneurial spirit was contagious, inspiring many other students who watched the competition unfold.  This outpouring of interest showed that Saint Mary's fosters a vibrant environment where anyone with a dream can take flight.

To learn more about The Arena 2024, visit the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre website or watch the competition on Facebook.

New home for Saint Mary’s Engineering to open in September 2024

Engineering students work hands-on with robotics

Students walk through the new engineering building space

The building offers space for students to connect and work together

Saint Mary’s University is excited to announce a significant expansion to its engineering facilities that will have an immediate positive impact on enrolment and allow the university to grow the engineering program from 240 to 320 students over the next two academic years.

President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray notes, “Saint Mary’s University has seen an increased demand for our STEM programming in recent years, particularly in our engineering diploma. Our excellent faculty, facilities and ability to provide focused, hands-on learning are very attractive to incoming students looking to build the foundation for their careers. We are delighted to be offering this experience to more students and researchers.”

960 Tower Road

Following a re-design over the spring and summer, SMU Engineering will move into its new home in the existing building on campus at 960 Tower Road. The new facilities will take up all three floors of the 28,000-square-foot building. This significant expansion of engineering space on campus will enhance teaching and learning capacity by providing state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and project rooms.

The first floor will house workspaces where student teams will design engineering projects. The second floor will include three large classrooms and the mechanics of materials lab, an electric circuits lab and thermofluids lab. The third floor will be home to an engineering design classroom and faculty research labs.

““This contemporary building will provide a dynamic environment for the training of future engineers and allow more students to experience the distinct advantages of SMU Engineering: small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities and more hands-on learning””

— Interim Dean of Science Sam Veres

Built to LEED Silver standards and opened in 2013, 960 Tower Road has housed various academic programs over the past decade. The university's administration took an innovative approach to re-purpose an existing building for a popular program that is experiencing growing demand. The new home of SMU Engineering will be ready to welcome students in September 2024.

Saint Mary’s Engineering offers a two-year Diploma of Engineering that provides students with an introduction to scientific principles and a strong foundation in engineering mathematics, design and technical communication before choosing an engineering path to complete their degree. Saint Mary’s has offered engineering for more than 100 years, with classes located in the McNally building since 1951.

Saint Mary’s University a top destination for International Baccalaureate students

Photo: Smith and Whitton

Saint Mary’s University Senate approved an enhanced International Baccalaureate (IB) admissions policy that will allow Saint Mary’s to have one of the leading IB admissions and recognition policies not only in Canada but in the world. 

The university worked closely with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) North America University Relations Team on crafting a policy that offers admission to IBDP and IBCP graduates from the over 180 IB curriculum schools across Canada and more than 5,600 schools in 159 countries worldwide. The new policy further enhances Saint Mary’s strong recognition and support of IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and individual diploma course-taking students.

IBO Senior Recognition Manager US and Canada, Marie Vivas, calls Saint Mary’s enhanced policy “pioneering” and is confident that this will enhance post-secondary options for IBDP and IBCP students while paving a path for other post-secondary institutions to emulate. 

“Our new IB policy allows the IBO and school counsellors to talk to their students and point them to us as a definite place where their programme is accepted, recognized and valued,” says Saint Mary’s Associate Vice-President Enrolment and University Registrar, Dan Seneker. 

 “Research shows that IB students tend to transition to university smoother and outperform their colleagues in their first year,” says Seneker. “Recognizing these students and the intellectual and personal growth that they experience both inside and outside the classroom is long overdue. We are proud to be a leader in this regard and partner with the IBO and Nova Scotia’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in developing this new policy.”

“Having one of our post-secondary partners lead the way in recognizing and celebrating Nova Scotia’s IB students is a great milestone, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Saint Mary’s in further developing IB recognition within our province,” says Mary MacDonald, IB/AP Program Lead, Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.  MacDonald continues, “This is a development that is good for our province and, more importantly, our students.”

The IBCP programme was officially introduced by the IBO in 2017 and was specifically developed for students who wish to engage in more targeted career-related and experiential learning. The IBCP maintains the core elements of the IBDP program (diploma program courses, international-mindedness, approaches to teaching, language development, reflective project, service learning, and personal and professional skills) and adds career-related studies elements that include technical and employability skills. 

For more information on Saint Mary’s various IB admissions policies, please visit www.smu.ca/IB

For more information on the International Baccalaureate Organization and the IBDP and IBCP programmes, please visit www.ibo.org

David Sobey Retailing Centre attracts retail industry veterans to Advisory Council

The David Sobey Retailing Centre (formerly David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing & Services) at the Sobey School of Business is delighted to welcome retail industry veterans Joe Jackman, Julia Knox, Dave S. Sobey and Wanda Walkden to its Advisory Council.

“The David Sobey Retailing Centre is extremely fortunate to have retail veterans and innovators of this calibre join our experienced Advisory Council,” says Vivek Sood, Executive Vice President, Related Business, Empire Company Limited and Chair, David Sobey Retailing Center Advisory Board. “The Advisory Council directly connects the centre with the retail sector, providing insights into industry issues and trends, and guiding the centre in its mission to shape the future of retail.”

Canada’s retail sector accounts for 15.6 per cent of Canada’s GDP and employs the most people of all sectors in our economy. “The David Sobey Retailing Centre is an integrated player in Canada’s retail community,” says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director, David Sobey Retailing Centre. “We are engaged in real-world retail innovation and training, world-class executive education and events, and research in areas vital to the future of retail including technology, AI, consumer psychology and behaviour, e-commerce and retail competition.”

New Advisory Council members:

Joe Jackman, Founder and Executive Chair, Jackman Reinvents

Joe Jackman is the Founder and Chairman of Jackman Reinvents, a management consulting firm specializing in transformative growth, and the CEO of Catapult Capital Partners, a venture capital and advisory firm focused on accelerating the growth of early-stage businesses.

For over 35 years, Jackman has helped leaders of retail, consumer packaged goods and B2B companies strengthen their strategic positions and accelerate value creation. An inductee into the Hall of Legends by the American Marketing Association, he is the author of the book The Reinventionist Mindset and is widely considered to be a leading expert on change and rapid business reinvention.

Julia Knox, Chief Technology and Analytics Officer and Chief Privacy Officer, Empire Company Limited

Responsible for technology, enterprise data and advanced analytics, Knox joined Empire in 2021 bringing with her extensive experience as a highly accomplished executive at Giant Tiger, where she was SVP, E-Commerce & Chief Merchandising Officer.

Knox’s leadership extends to community service; she serves as the Chair of the Board of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and is a founding activator of ShEO, a non-profit venture capital fund supporting women entrepreneurs. She is also a member of the Grocery Board for GS1 Canada.

Dave S. Sobey, Vice President, Operations, Atlantic, Sobeys Inc.

In his role, Sobey is accountable for Atlantic Operations of full-service and community banner stores. These include Sobeys, Foodland, and participating Co-ops within the four Atlantic provinces.

Sobey serves as the 2022-24 Chair of the Grocery Foundation Atlantic to benefit Atlantic Canada’s children’s hospital foundations and as Co-chair of the ‘Charting Our Course’ capital campaign for the Ship Hector Society to restore and relaunch the iconic ship in Pictou County.

Wanda Walkden, Chief Human Resources & Communications Officer, Staples Canada

Walkden leads Human Resources, Internal Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, ensuring the alignment of these critical areas supports the engagement and retention of Staples’ 11,000 associates.

Prior to joining Staples, Walkden was the VP, Human Resources for Lowe’s Canada. She has over twenty-five years of human resources experience gained in a variety of industries including telecommunications, global outsourcing and retail, and has led the Human Resources function for multi-site teams based in Canada, U.S, Europe and Asia Pacific

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The David Sobey Retailing Centre, founded in 2014, was made possible thanks to a generous and visionary gift by the late Dr. David F. Sobey, CM, DComm’91, Chair Emeritus of Sobeys Inc.

To view the full list of David Sobey Retailing Centre Advisory Council members and find out more about the centre, please visit davidsobeycentre.ca

Saint Mary's partners with KW Legacy to promote Sobey National Innovator Scholarships

Students in the Sobeys Inspiration Hub

Saint Mary's University and KW Legacy are pleased to announce a unique enterprise to promote an exceptional scholarship opportunity. Under this partnership, KW Legacy will publicize the Sobey National Innovator Scholarships to students in the Waterloo region who want to pursue their post-secondary education at the Sobey School of Business in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  

“We believe that by working together, we can make a true difference in the lives of those in our region and support students in their post-secondary dreams. We are proud to partner with Saint Mary's University and support the unique opportunities they provide for so many students. Adding more students from the KW region to the Atlantic Canada mix is a great opportunity to learn, share, and grow between provinces and regions,” says Peter Kalbfleisch, KW Legacy. “Thank you to Saint Mary's and the Sobey School of Business for helping us support students in our region, helping develop our future leaders and making a significant impact in the lives of our youth and community.”  

“We appreciate and are grateful for the support of KW Legacy and the Sobey National Innovator Scholarships to provide a student within the Waterloo Region with a scholarship to Saint Mary’s University,” said Jeewan Chanicka, Director of Education for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). “This financial support represents the type of partnership that can provide opportunities for students to continue their academic journey and provide more equitable access to a university education as they work towards achieving their full potential in learning and in life.” 

“These scholarships represent a significant opportunity for personal and professional growth for the recipients, embodying the transformative power of education. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Saint Mary’s University, KW Legacy, and Sobeys, which reflects our commitment to nurturing young minds. This scholarship will make a profound difference in the lives of its recipients, and we are honored to be part of this exciting announcement,” said Lema Salaymeh, Senior Manager of Communications, Waterloo Catholic District School Board. 

The Sobey National Innovator Scholarships are exclusive to Saint Mary’s University and the Sobey School of Business. There are ten renewable entrance awards valued at $50,000 over four years awarded annually. These scholarships are presented to ten exceptional Canadian students each year in recognition of their accomplishments and as encouragement and support for their success in the Sobey School of Business. The initial scholarship in academic year one is $20,000. The renewal value in academic years two–four is $10,000 per year. The total value of each scholarship over four years is $50,000.  

The Sobey National Innovator Scholarship recipients also become members of the Sobey Scholars Network, a special cohort that includes all current and past students, alumni, Chair holders, named Professors and Post-Doctoral Fellows who have been the recipients of philanthropic financial support from the Sobey Family, The Sobey Foundation, Sobeys Inc., and Empire Company Limited.   

“The Bachelor of Commerce program at the Sobey School of Business is one of Canada’s most respected programs at one of Canada's top three undergraduate universities," says Mark Raymond, Interim Dean of the Sobey School of Business. "We teach our Bachelor of Commerce students more than how a good business runs. We show them how to run a business for good—for the long-term and for a better, more sustainable, more responsible world. We equip our students with the knowledge and insights to lead with purpose, and they graduate prepared to make a positive impact on business, organizations and on society."  

Sobey School globally recognized for supporting UN initiative

The Sobey School of Business has been named PRME Champions for 2024-2025. This is the third time the school has been reaffirmed as one of the world’s leading business schools, supporting the United Nations initiative - Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). 

“Once again, we are proud to be recognized as PRME Champions,” says Interim Dean, Mark Raymond. “The recognition places the Sobey School in a select group of business schools across the globe who are committed to sustainability and to educating the business leaders of tomorrow to make a positive impact on the world.”

As PRME Champions, the Sobey School is integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across curriculum, research, and partnerships. Currently, the school’s research agenda is aligned to support the SDGs as faculty generate insights on issues such as corporate social responsibility, poverty-climate change nexus, social entrepreneurship, and the role of gender in venture capital funding. The research intensity associated with the SDGs is a strong point of distinction for the school. Nearly 50% of the faculty have contributed to the portfolio of research aligned with the SDGs with 65% of all research-active faculty engaged in SDG-related research.

The school has also adapted its curriculum to meet PRME objectives and in response to student demand. Professor Miguel Morales notes, “Over the past three years, we have strategically adapted the Bachelor of Commerce curriculum to embed sustainability as a core component. The renewed Program Learning Outcomes place a strong emphasis on sustainability, and in Winter 2024, we are introducing two dedicated sustainability courses. These core courses serve as pillars for developing a deep-rooted awareness of sustainable business practices early in students' academic journeys.” As a result, Sobey School students graduate with a distinct advantage; they are prepared for the new world of business, one that requires responsible leaders to rise to global challenges in new, integrated ways.

For the 2024-2025 PRME programme cycle, the Sobey School has committed to the refreshed Seven PRME Principles and, in keeping with the new principle on Practice to “adopt responsible and accountable management principles in our own governance and operations”, is championing the university’s completion of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Sobey is one of only four business schools from Canada to be considered a Champion of PRME. There are 46 other business schools from around the world to be named Champion. The Sobey School is the oldest and the most accredited business school in Atlantic Canada offering the largest portfolio of disciplines and programs graduate programs east of Quebec.  

New agreement allows Holland College diploma graduates to complete science degree at Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s University has recently signed three cooperation agreements with Holland College, enabling graduates from the college’s Bioscience Technology, Wildlife Conservation, and Environmental Applied Science Technology diploma programs to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at the university.

Graduates of the two-year diploma programs can apply to join the Faculty of Science and School of the Environment. The agreement provides Holland College graduates a streamlined pathway into one of Saint Mary’s ten undergraduate science programs taught by top Canadian researchers and award-winning faculty.

“We are delighted to have a new partnership with Holland College, opening doors to more students pursuing their academic goals,” says Dan Seneker, Saint Mary’s AVP Enrolment Management and Registrar. “This agreement will create opportunities for research, internships and exceptional mentorship for students who wish to obtain a Bachelor of Science at Saint Mary’s.” 

Doug Currie, Holland College’s Vice President of Corporate Services, said the college is proud to be able to add Saint Mary’s University to the list of partner universities. “Saint Mary’s University has an excellent reputation and a tradition of academic excellence,” he said. “Our graduates are sure to thrive in this top-tier university.” 

Saint Mary's science and engineering students have access to a range of academic student supports to help them succeed. Thanks to our close-knit, community atmosphere, many of our undergraduates participate in their professor's research projects—a valuable experience that can be hard to come by at larger institutions.

“In the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s we are committed to student success, with a mission to create the next generation of creative thinkers through exceptional Science programming with experiential and interdisciplinary learning opportunities,” says Dr. Sam Veres, Interim Dean of Science. “Through these new agreements, we look forward to welcoming more Holland College graduates to Saint Mary’s for the next step in their education and advancement toward their higher education and career goals.”

Visit smu.ca/futurestudents for more information.