Academic Integrity Week at Saint Mary's

Academic integrity is the foundation of higher learning.

Academic integrity refers to a set of ethical values relating to how we treat our sources of knowledge, and how new knowledge is constructed and shared with others. The values of academic integrity go beyond student citation mistakes, plagiarism, and cheating, as the technical manifestations of violations associated with it. Academic integrity is a shared responsibility among all members of the University community.

The aim of this week-long event is to engage students, faculty and staff in learning and sharing with others how they can uphold academic integrity to increase student success and promote the ethical values of scholarly dialogue and respectful knowledge creation.

Schedule of Events

Forum on the Academic Integrity Process at SMU and Academic Regulation 18   

Monday, October 17 
3–4:15 p.m.  
Virtual Event  

The forum is hosted by Dr. Karen Grandy, Chairperson of Academic Senate, the Senate Committee on Academic Integrity, and the Academic Integrity Appeals Board; and Dr. Madine VanderPlaat, Academic Discipline Officer and Interim VP Academic & Research, Member of the Senate Committee on Academic Integrity, and University Registrar. 

https://smu-ca.zoom.us/j/84455256057?pwd=QVo0VGsweTlOejIvSHdTTGkxdUlyUT09  

Meeting ID: 844 5525 6057  
Passcode: 858739  

Scavenger Hunt 

Monday, October 17
Until 4:30 p.m.

Come visit the SMUSA Office or Help desk to see which resources are available on campus. Once you’ve found them all swap your card for a prize!  

Academic Integrity & Copyright 

Tuesday, October 18
10:30–11:30 a.m.  
In-person and virtual event

Library Classroom (LI135) 
or 
https://smu-ca.zoom.us/j/88256404404?pwd=SFNjVDhZT2lHcnFVL3FmaEpmS2lqQT09 

Meeting ID: 882 5640 4404 
Passcode: 418740 

This session will cover what you need to consider for your thesis before it makes it to the University Repository. We’ll also go over copyright concerns as a TA in seminars and lectures. Next, we’ll cover author rights and what you need to know when wanting to publish and how to protect your work. 

Presenters: 

• Amy Lorencz, MLIS, Metadata & Copyright Librarian 

• Patricia Langille, MA, Copyright Assistant 

Avoiding Academic Mistakes Workshop    

Wednesday, October 19
10:30–11:45 a.m. 
In-person and virtual event
 
Library Classroom (LI135) 
or 
https://smu-ca.zoom.us/j/81033570801?pwd=bFlWelUyeXRlSEpyczBkWW9xakM5UT09 

Meeting ID: 810 3357 0801 
Passcode: 310670 

Chat with the SMUSA VP Academic, writing centre and library staff about academic integrity, and get tips to help you with writing a paper, assignment or test. Learn how to avoid common academic mistakes! This workshop is designed to provide you with resources to help with your writing, research, and proper citations/references.  

Citation Station: activities, fun AI resources and prizes 

Thursday, October 20
1–4:00 p.m.   
Student Common Space, 5th Floor of the Student Centre   
In-person, drop-by station   

Visit us at the Citation Station on the 5th floor of the Student Centre from 1-5 pm to learn about citations and plagiarism, to receive writing and referencing help on your papers and for the chance to win prizes!  

Academic Integrity Supports at Saint Mary’s

Friday, October 21
11:00 a.m– noon   
In-person and Virtual Event 

Library Classroom (LI135) 
or 
https://smu-ca.zoom.us/j/88020181063?pwd=VHNkRkY4R1dNb1ltOS9pVmFaOU9hQT09 

Meeting ID: 880 2018 1063 
Passcode: 963303 

This session will include panel presentations and a Q&A to provide faculty and students with information about existing SMU resources for supporting Academic Integrity. Supports include the Writing Centre’s Writing Help Online (WHO) program, the Library’s Academic Integrity Foundations course, as well as the Avoiding Academic Mistakes workshop (co-developed/delivered by the Writing Centre, the Library, and SMUSA).  

Presenters:  

• Amanda Saoud, Coordinator, Academic Learning Services, The Studio for Teaching and Learning  

• Heather Sanderson, Information Literacy Librarian, Patrick Power Library  

• Cindy Harrigan, Instructional Development Librarian, Patrick Power Library  

• Emily Meyers, Vice President of Academic & Internal Affairs, Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association  

Saint Mary's University rises to third in the nation according to Maclean's rankings

Saint Mary's University's investments in students, faculty and programming have propelled the university to third in Canada for the 2023 Maclean's University Rankings undergraduate category. For the second successive year, Saint Mary's University is the top-ranked primarily undergraduate university in Nova Scotia. 

"Saint Mary's University continues to excel, propelling the increased recognition of our institution's national and international prominence," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Our first-place ranking in student awards and second-place in scholarships and bursaries directly reflects our focused investments in student supports. While we recognize the significance of achieving our highest ever ranking, we will continue to focus on building the best undergraduate experience for our students." 

The Saint Mary’s University campus in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Over the past several years, Saint Mary's has climbed the rankings and maintained the fourth-place ranking for two consecutive years before finishing third this year. 

Supporting students is a priority for Saint Mary's, and the university has invested significantly in scholarships, fellowships and bursaries over the past five years. Since 2018, the university has more than doubled its investment in student scholarships, fellowships and bursaries, rising from $6.8 million to $15.7 million. This unprecedented level of support has positioned the university as the top-ranked primarily undergraduate institution for student awards and second place for scholarships and bursaries. The university ranked second in library acquisitions, which includes an institution's commitment to updating its collection and digital access—the creation and distribution of knowledge that is the foundation of a university's purpose.   

"At Saint Mary's, community is at the heart of all that we do," adds President Summerby-Murray. "We know success requires our entire community's time, talent, passion and commitment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Santamarian community—our students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors. We continue to rise and achieve excellence through your support and efforts." 

---

Information for future students

Learn about the wide range of programs available at Saint Mary’s, including undergraduate, graduate and professional development.

SMU Wikewiku's Kick Off Mawio'mi

Saint Mary’s kicked off Mi’kmaq History Month with a Mawio’mi on Sunday, October 2nd.

Mawio'mi is a Mi’kmaw word that refers to a gathering of people. The term is used to describe what is sometimes referred to as a powwow; a gathering that celebrates life and includes ceremony, storytelling, dance, drumming, and gathering with the community. Since 2018 Saint Mary's has hosted a Mawio'mi on-campus but given COVID-19 health and safety protocols, recent celebrations took place digitally until last year. 

"We were excited to invite people to campus and participate in an important celebration of Mi'kmaw culture and heritage," says Rachel Creaser, the Indigenous Student Initiatives Coordinator and President of the Saint Mary's Indigenous Student Society.

The event was a success with over 200 attendees including students, faculty, staff and members of the community.

Two new Sobey School of Business programs welcome first cohorts this fall

Inaugural EDBA cohort

The Sobey School of Business welcomed the inaugural cohorts of two new programs this fall: the Executive Doctorate of Business Administration (EDBA) and the Master of Business Analytics (MBAN). EDBA has a cohort of 8, while MBAN has a cohort of 22.

“We are excited to launch the EDBA and MBAN programs this year,” says Dean of the Sobey School of Business, Harjeet Bhabra. “Curriculum innovation is a key element of our strategic plan Elevating Impact, and these two new programs add to our portfolio of program offerings that meet the growing and changing needs of the business world today. To our first cohorts, I am delighted to welcome you to the Sobey School of Business.”

The EDBA program is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. It is designed for seasoned executives and brings the possibility of development and support to distinguish their value in the job market, while rewarding them with critical knowledge and skills to succeed in today’s complex business environment. The program will be offered every two years and is designed for a cohort of 8 to 12 students. Dr. Wendy Carroll, Academic Director of the EDBA Program, is thrilled to launch this program that meets the needs of highly active business leaders in a number of fields.

“Our EDBA students come to us from a variety of backgrounds, including entrepreneurship, medicine, law and the federal government," says Dr. Wendy Carroll, Academic Director of the EDBA program. "We look forward to working with them through rigorous scholarship and community practice.”

The MBAN program is another first of its kind for Atlantic Canada, designed to meet the growing need for business analytics professionals. MBAN gives students the ability to fuse data science and business competencies, while cultivating an analytical mindset to lead and sustain efforts in small, medium and large organizations.

“Our students come to us from 10 different countries, with diverse background in math, science, engineering and business,” says Dr. Michael Zhang, Director of the MBAN program. “Many have strong working experience in project management, financial management, data and technology management. Our multidisciplinary teaching faculty are thrilled to be part of the launch of this new program.”

MBAN’s inaugural cohort

Canadian citizens and permanent residents entering MBAN also have the opportunity to apply for the Dr. Robert P. Kelly Master of Business Analytics Scholarship, valued at $10,000. These scholarships are funded by the generous $1 million gift from Dr. Kelly to A World Without Limits: The Campaign for Saint Mary’s University.

Learn more about graduate programs at the Sobey School of Business.

Women in Retail Keynote Speaker: Meet Barb Stegemann, social entrepreneur and Dragon slayer

When Barb Stegemann made her pitch on Dragon's Den she reduced two of the Dragons to tears and came away with three investors, making her the first woman from Atlantic Canada to land a venture-capital deal on the CBC show. Ten years later, her company, The 7 Virtues Beauty, is an international leader in the cosmetics industry for its mandate to source organic, fair trade essential oils from countries experiencing turmoil (such as Afghanistan, Haiti the Middle East and Rwanda). Now, the best-selling author and social business innovator and entrepreneur will share her knowledge and experience at the Sobey School of Business’s fourth annual Women in Business event, Women in Retail: Impacting Our Communities With Purpose, on October 13.

Attendees will hear from diverse voices of women in retail leadership and participate in discussions on how to impact their communities with purpose. In addition to our keynote speaker, Women in Retail: Impacting Our Communities With Purpose will feature three panels of women retail leaders sharing insights and answering questions. Attendees will also have the chance to network at the Pop-Up-Shop & Networking Hour and attend a post-event evening social at a local venue.

Barb Stegemann

Despite the wealth of female retailers that Women in Retail will be featuring, there is still much work to be done regarding gender diversity in retail. In 2021, women held just 12% of chief executive roles in retail. Stegemann is one such woman, whose business started out of her garage in Bedford and has grown to an international powerhouse of social enterprise.

Raised in the Maritimes, Stegemann’s entrepreneurial vision began when her best friend was severely injured in Afghanistan while serving in the Canadian Forces. As her friend recovered in a Vancouver hospital, Stegemann began thinking about how she could contribute to stabilizing the region.

“I didn’t even set out to make perfume, I just wanted to help farmers in Afghanistan,” Stegemann shared when she sat down for an interview. Initially, she found that she didn’t fit the already-established paths to helping countries in turmoil.

“I’m not a soldier, I’m not a world leader. So, I created a new way.”

Stegemann began by writing a bestselling book, The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen, which seeks to empower women to reach for their dreams. After her book Stegemann began making contacts with essential oil merchants in Afghanistan, Haiti and Rwanda, and realized this was her way to carry on her mission of peace. The company The 7 Virtues was realized, and through the ups and downs of launching and running a social enterprise, Stegemann has been trailblazing as a woman in retail ever since.

Barb Stegemann and Ella Webster BA’22 at Ella’s Convocation in Spring 2022.

“There was no word for social enterprise when I started,” Stegemann told us. The 7 Virtues is now an award-winning social enterprise and is the only Canadian brand to be sold through Sephora’s “Clean at Sephora” fragrance space across the US, Canada and in 13 countries across the EU.

As for her connection to Saint Mary’s University, Stegemann’s connection does not stop at simply being from the Maritimes. Her daughter, Ella Webster BA’22, is a recent SMU graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Ella and her brother Victor work with Stegemann at The 7 Virtues, a fact that is very meaningful to her.

“The most rewarding part owning a business is that I get to work with my two children. I’m so grateful that I created something out of thin air that lets me be around my family and gives me the freedom the decide what I want to be, what I want to do. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”

Stegemann brings a wealth of experience as a women entrepreneur in the retail space, and her story shares messages of overcoming adversity and empowering women to embrace their inner disruptor. In our interview, Stegemann shared not only the story of The 7 Virtues but wisdom on living life as an entrepreneur.

“It’s very important to design and live the life you want. We’re only here for a short time, so while we’re here we should live life with meaning and purpose. Entrepreneurship gives you that.”

Learn more about Barb, our other speakers, and buy your tickets now to Women in Retail: Impacting Our Communities With Purpose!

Watch Barb’s full interview where she discusses her entrepreneurial journey here:

Researchers identify what could be clusters that contain the first and oldest stars in the universe

Webb’s First Deep Field. Thousandsof galaxies flood this near-infrared, high-resolution image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Researchers at Saint Mary’s University and the University of Toronto have identified what could be clusters that contain the first and oldest stars in the universe.  

The researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to identify the most distant globular clusters ever discovered. These dense groups of millions of stars may be relics that contain the first and oldest stars in the universe. The early analysis of Webb’s First Deep Field image, which depicts some of the universe’s earliest galaxies, is published today in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 

In the finely detailed Webb’s First Deep Field image, the researchers zeroed in on what they’ve dubbed “the Sparkler galaxy,” which is nine billion light years away. This galaxy got its name for the compact objects appearing as small yellow-red dots surrounding it, referred to by the researchers as “sparkles.” The team posited that these sparkles could either be young clusters actively forming stars—born three billion years after the Big Bang at the peak of star formation—or old globular clusters. Globular clusters are ancient collections of stars from a galaxy’s infancy and contain clues about its earliest phases of formation and growth.  

From their initial analysis of 12 of these compact objects, the researchers determined that five of them are not only globular clusters but among the oldest ones known. 

“JWST’s made-in-Canada NIRISS instrument was vital in helping us understand how the three images of the Sparkler and its globular clusters are connected,” says co-author Dr. Marcin Sawicki, Canada Research Chair in Astronomy and professor in the Astronomy and Physics Department at Saint Mary’s. “Seeing several of the Sparkler’s globular clusters imaged three times made it clear that they are orbiting around the Sparkler galaxy rather than being simply in front of it by chance.”  

Dr. Marcin Sawicki

Dr. Sawicki worked with a team of researchers from the Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey (CANUCS) team, including colleagues from at the University of Toronto and a group of six postdocs and students at Saint Mary’s.  

“The oldest clusters we found formed when the universe was just a few percent of its current age.  The stars they contain must be almost as old as the universe itself!” says SMU postdoctoral fellow Dr. Vicente Estrada-Carpenter who worked on the NIRISS data as part of the team.  “Our results show the amazing power of Webb when combined with that of gravitational lensing to study the distant universe in unprecedented detail” adds SMU team member Dr. Guillaume Desprez.  “We are excited about the discoveries that will come when Webb observes five more galaxy clusters as part of the CANUCS program.” 

The Milky Way galaxy has about 150 globular clusters, and how and when exactly these dense clumps of stars formed is not well understood. Astronomers know that globular clusters can be extremely old, but it is incredibly challenging to measure their ages. Using very distant globular clusters to age-date the first stars in distant galaxies has not been done before and is only possible with JWST.  

Until now, astronomers could not see the surrounding compact objects of the Sparkler galaxy with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This changed with JWST's increased resolution and sensitivity, unveiling the tiny dots surrounding the galaxy for the first time in Webb’s First Deep Field image. The Sparkler galaxy is special because it is magnified by a factor of 100 due to an effect called gravitational lensing — where the SMACS 0723 galaxy cluster in the foreground distorts what is behind it, much like a giant magnifying glass. Moreover, gravitational lensing produces three separate images of the Sparkler, allowing astronomers to study the galaxy in greater detail. 

JWST will observe the CANUCS fields starting in October 2022, leveraging JWST data to examine five massive clusters of galaxies, around which the researchers expect to find more such systems. Future studies will also model the galaxy cluster to understand the lensing effect and execute more robust analyses to explain the star formation histories.  

Collaborating institutions include Canada’s National Research Council, York University and institutions in the United States and Europe. The research was supported by the Canadian Space Agency and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Nova Scotia launches new Atlantic Media Preservation Laboratory, Margaret Perry exhibit

Dr. Jennifer VanderBurgh

Artists, researchers and film lovers will have better access to Atlantic Canada’s remarkable film heritage through a new lab at the Nova Scotia Archives, partially inspired by the work of Saint Mary’s University led research team.

The Atlantic Media Preservation Laboratory, a partnership between the archives and the Atlantic Filmmakers Co-operative, will help ensure film from earlier eras is protected and preserved. The lab will preserve the work of artists like film pioneer Margaret Perry, the subject of the new online exhibit Margaret Perry: A Life in Film.

“Margaret Perry is one of the most influential, yet unknown, people in Nova Scotia in the 20th century,” says Saint Mary’s University Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer VanderBurgh, and lead of the research team examining Margaret Perry and her work. “Her promotional films about the province offer us a glimpse into how Nova Scotia saw itself in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, or at least how the government wanted others to see the province. Perry was very interested in highlighting women's labour, co-operative labour, and how things were done or made. The films reflect her interests and understanding of Nova Scotia.”

To support the new lab, the Province of Nova Scotia provided $35,000 to the filmmakers co-operative toward a $70,000 archivist Lasergraphics motion picture film scanning systems scanner. The federal government also provided additional funding.

“Archival films have the power to change the world by helping us understand and bring awareness to important issues, events and people of the past,” says Pat Dunn, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “This new specialized film lab is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada and will help ensure our stories continue to be told.”

The exhibit on Perry’s work officially launched on in September, as part of FIN Atlantic International Film Festival and can be found here.   

Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month at Saint Mary's

October is Mi’kmaq History Month! All month long, communities across Nova Scotia hosts activities, educational sessions and events that showcase the Mi’kmaq history. Nova Scotia are encouraged to attend events and increase their knowledge of Mi’kmaq culture, history and heritage.

Mi’kmaq History Month Committee, lead in the interim by the The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, draws on the expertise of representatives from the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities and organizations, as well as the Federal and Provincial governments.

See the list below for events and resources

Events

On-Campus Mawio'mi

Sunday, October 2
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Our Wikewiku's (October) Kick-off Mawio'mi was on Sunday, October 2nd, from 11 am-3 pm, in the Homburg Gym to celebrate Treaty Day and kick off Mi'kmaq History Month! Everyone was welcome, and we encouraged you to wear orange for residential school survivors, victims, and their descendants. Please keep in mind this is a drug and alcohol-free event as it is a sacred gathering. Students, faculty, and alumni were welcome to wear their regalia and join us on the dance arena when instructed by the Master of Ceremonies, Aaron Prosper.

Check out images from the event!

Free Film Screening: Is the Crown at War with us?

Friday, October 21
1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Join us for a free screening and discussion of Alanis Obomsawin’s film, Is the Crown at War with Us?, documenting the 2000 Mi’kmaw fishery crisis in Burnt Church, NB.

Resources and related links:

The Patrick Power Library will display a collection of books and videos for learning more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Mi’kmaq History Month. These collections are available online and in-person, and all items on display can be borrowed. The in-person display will include an interactive element that asks people to reflect on the meaning of truth and reconciliation. All are welcome to participate!

Saint Mary’s Indigenous Community

Mi’kmaq History Month

Faculty of Arts appoints Dr. Kirrily Freeman as Director of Outreach and Experiential Learning

Dr. Kirrily Freeman (centre) with MA (History) student Naomi Kent (left) and Pam Corell of the SMU University Art Gallery (right).

The Faculty of Arts is very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kirrily Freeman as its first Director of Outreach and Experiential Learning. The appointment is for a three-year term, effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025, says Dr. Mary Ingraham, Dean of Arts.  

“This position will assist us in recruitment and outreach to schools and community organizations, as well as support and enhance experiential learning opportunities for our students,” Ingraham says.

In her new role, Freeman will provide leadership and support to departments and programs in developing, expanding and promoting outreach programs and experiential learning opportunities.  

“This new position is very exciting,” says the history professor. “This is an opportunity to build on our strengths as a Faculty in community engaged research, teaching and service. I’m really looking forward to supporting my colleagues in their outreach work, bringing a range of experiential learning opportunities to our students, and fostering community partnerships for the Faculty of Arts.”

Freeman brings a depth of experience to this work, having served for seven years as Coordinator of the Nova Scotia Provincial Heritage Fair, an annual event involving partnerships with schools, government departments and cultural organizations across the province.  

She forged a new memorandum of understanding between the Faculty of Arts and the Association of Nova Scotia Museums (ANSM), which is building museum studies programming and research internships for Saint Mary’s students. She and students in a pilot Museum Fundamentals and Decolonizing Collections course were involved in community consultations across the province this summer as part of ANSM’s “Unlocking Community Museum Collections” digitization strategy.

In another recent project, Freeman collaborated with community leaders in creating a tribute to the No. 2 Construction Company, Canada’s “Black Battalion” in the First World War, which was a highlight in this summer’s Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.

“Universities have a duty to serve the communities of which we are a part. Our professors and students in the Faculty of Arts are a great resource, and in turn we can learn so much from engagement and partnership with communities. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to help the Faculty of Arts enhance its efforts in this area,” she says.  

An historian of modern Europe, Freeman focuses on the cultural history of western Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in her teaching and research. Her publications include The Town of Vichy and the Politics of Identity: Stigma, Victimhood & Decline (Palgrave Pivot, 2022), Reading the Postwar Future: Textual Turning Points from 1944 (Bloomsbury, 2019), and Bronzes to Bullets: Vichy and the Destruction of French Public Statuary, 1941-1944 (Stanford, 2009). She recently created two interactive web-based story maps, The Destruction of Bronze Statues in the Second World War and The Destruction of Church Bells in the Second World War.

Photo: Dr. Kirrily Freeman (centre) with MA (History) student Naomi Kent (left) and Pam Corell of the SMU University Art Gallery (right).

Saint Mary’s research into sustainable agriculture and more efficient 3D modeling receives federal funding

The Science Building at Saint Mary’s University.

Research into sustainable agriculture and more data-efficient 3D modeling will benefit from newly announced federal funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).

Funding for biology researcher Dr. David Chiasson will allow him to explore sustainable agriculture practices in a project titled “Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume plants.”  

Dr. David Chiasson

“A central goal of sustainable agricultural practice is to provide nutritious food and plant products while minimizing the impact on the environment,” says Dr. Chiasson. “Legume plants such as beans, alfalfa, and clover are a key component of sustainable agriculture since they do not require nitrogen fertilizer for growth. This unique group of plants forms a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria called rhizobia. Rhizobia can convert nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into nitrogen fertilizer for the plant in a process termed nitrogen fixation. This association therefore reduces the need for applied nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture.”

The production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers consumes vast quantities of fossil fuels, and their application leads to negative environmental outcomes such as greenhouse gas emissions and contaminated water resources. Coupled with the rising price of fertilizers, farmers are increasingly turning to legumes as a sustainable means of adding nitrogen to the soil.  

“The long-term goal of this project is to increase the productivity of legume plants,” explains Dr. Chiasson. “This research will provide the knowledge base for strategies aimed to reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural sector while increasing the productivity of our crops. An improved understanding of the nitrogen-fixation symbiosis is both timely and essential as we move towards a future of more environmentally responsible farming practices in Canada.”

Dr. Jiju Poovvancheri, a researcher in the mathematics and computing science department, received funding for a project titled “Research Infrastructure for Large-scale 3D Geometry Acquisition and Modeling.”  

“The CFI fund will be used to set up the lab and purchase research equipment including an AI server, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanner and high-performance workstations capable of acquiring and processing large-scale three-dimensional data,” says Dr. Poovvancheri.

Dr. Jiju Poovvancheri

Current practices in city modeling include acquiring raw measurements of the physical world using LiDAR sensors and turning the sensor data into three dimensional meshes. Large-scale meshes created in this manner normally contain trillions of triangles, putting a huge burden on rendering, data transfer and storage of applications. Furthermore, most of the reconstructed meshes lack geometric details and therefore do not represent a good choice for 3D navigation, and AR/VR.  

“High fidelity digital representations of cities are essential for modern-day applications such as urban planning, 3D navigation, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR),” explains Dr. Poovvancheri. “This project aims at bridging existing gaps in urban modeling pipeline by developing an AI (Artificial Intelligence) driven urban modeling software ecosystem consisting of algorithms, tools, and data for creating lightweight and highly detailed 3D urban models.”

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced more than $64 million to support 251 research infrastructure projects at 40 universities across Canada.

Competition to solve freshwater issues begins in Atlantic Canada

Field sampling is an important part of the work Environmental Science students do in classes and in research work with professors. Photo Credit: Dr. Linda Campbell

A competition to solve Atlantic Canadian water issues through technology, innovation and entrepreneurship begins this week. The competition is organized by AquaAction in partnership with Saint Mary’s University. 

“We are excited to bring the AquaHacking Challenge back to Atlantic Canada,” says Dr. Anne-Pascale Richardson, AquaHacking Challenge Program Manager at AquaAction. “AquaAction’s mission is to restore freshwater health in North America. We do this by engaging with local communities to empower talented young innovators and support them as they work to improve freshwater in their region. The first Atlantic Canada AquaHacking Challenge was a great success, and we look forward to this year’s competition.” 

Atlantic Canada is home to a spectacular system of dynamic freshwater and marine environments. Water is core to ecosystems and communities across the region. The Atlantic Canada AquaHacking Challenge brings students, developers, designers, scientists, programmers, engineers, technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs together to form interdisciplinary teams to tackle different freshwater challenges facing these important ecosystems. 

The issues they’ll be focusing on are:  

1. Innovations for alteration projects in Lakes and Rivers
   Water Issue Leader: Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change - Water Branch

2. Affordable Automated Water Quality Monitoring
   Water Issue Leader: Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc.

3. Saltwater Intrusion
   Water Issue Leader: Clean Foundation’s Clean Coasts team

4. Aquatic Invasive species
   Water Issue Leader: Coastal Action

5. Green Infrastructure (Stormwater Prevention)
   Water Issue Leader: ACAP Saint John

“AquaHacking is the type of interdisciplinary competition that allows students and young people to apply their knowledge to practical, real-world situations,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC). “We are proud to partner with AquaAction to bring this great competition back to Atlantic Canada.” 

Participants should have an interest in problem solving, collaborating with students from various faculties and applying innovative solutions to bring impactful change to communities in the Atlantic region. They are required to be between 18-35 years of age, a resident of Canada within the Atlantic region and enrolled in a post-secondary institution or be a recent graduate. The entire team doesn’t need to be residing in the Atlantic region, but the majority of the team should be within the Atlantic region.  

“Our students are excited and ready to challenge the freshwater issues facing Atlantic Canada,” says Adam Khamis, the Project Coordinator of Skills, Development and Training with SMUEC. “This competition is a dynamic blend of entrepreneurship, social action and science that offers students a unique opportunity to work with people in areas they may not otherwise have discovered.”  

After working on their pitches for nine months, all teams will have the opportunity to pitch their solution during the AquaHacking semi-final event. The top teams are selected from these pitches to go on to phase two of the program.  These finalists receive $2,000 to support the continuation of their work as they refine their solution in preparation for their pitch at the AquaHacking finale. All five finalist teams are winners, receiving kick-start business training, leadership training, a spot in a local incubator, Lavery Lawyers credits and seed funding based on their final ranking. 

For more information about the challenge, how to participate and the great partners that support the competition, visit https://aquaaction.org/challenge/atlantic-canada-2022-23/.  

About AquaAction 

AquaAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the health of freshwater by engaging young innovators in solutions creation and supporting the activation of their technologies. Its flagship program is the AquaHacking Challenge, a tech innovation competition which aims to engage university students in developing new solutions to water issues. Recently AquaAction developed the AquaHacking alumni and AquaEntrepreneur Québec. Across Canada, 36 water technology startups have emerged from the Challenge. AquaAction was established by the De Gaspé Beaubien Foundation in 2015, is powered by the RBC Foundation since 2018, accelerated by Ovivo since 2017 and supported by several partners including IBM Canada, Lavery Lawyers, and Mitacs.