Ritu Kanungo selected as a Fellow of the Canadian Association of Physicists

Dr. Rituparna Kanungo

In recognition of her contributions to experimental subatomic physics and groundbreaking discoveries in rare isotopes and nuclear shells; leadership of international collaborations in Japan, Germany, and Canada's TRIUMF, and service to national and international organizations, Saint Mary’s University physicist Dr. Rituparna (Ritu) Kanungo has been named as a Fellow of the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP).

As a member of the 2024 cohort of this new program, Dr. Kanungo will join nine physicist peers in the previous cohort who have made significant contributions to the Canadian physics community. Launched in 2022, the CAP Fellows program’s inaugural fellowships were awarded to Canadian Nobel Laureates Dr. Art McDonald and Dr. Donna Strickland.

Successful Fellowship candidates demonstrate service to the CAP, including physics outreach. They must demonstrate that their body of work shows noteworthy contributions to research and development in Canada, as well as contributions to the professional practice of physics, applied and private sector physics. Educational activities or mentorship round out a successful nomination.

“I am deeply honoured with this national recognition from CAP, and I share that with my team of students, postdocs and collaborators,” says Dr. Kanungo. “This honour brings reward for the efforts of my team and an encouragement for the younger team members to see that the work we are doing is broadly valued. I hope that it brings institutional pride to the SMU community to have our researchers highly recognized at a national level. It also shows the internationally competitive reach for SMU students.”

A leader in nuclear physics, Dr. Kanungo’s research explores rare isotopes in nature to unveil the secrets in the core of visible matter in our universe.

“Accessing the short-lived rare isotopes in our labs is extremely challenging,” she explains. “Since only a few specialized accelerator facilities in the world have gained the capacity to produce them, accessing these facilities is highly competitive internationally and being able to lead experiments in them is truly a rewarding feat.”

Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President Research at Saint Mary’s University, expressed his pride at having a SMU physicist recognized with this Fellowship, given his own past connection to CAP.

“Having previously served as President of the Canadian Association of Physicists, I am delighted to see that CAP has developed their national Fellowship program to bring public attention to the important contribution that physicists are making to science overall, and Canadian society specifically,” said Dr. Sarty. “Dr. Kanungo’s contributions to basic nuclear science and her leadership in the Canadian physics research community are truly significant. I am very proud that Dr. Kanungo received this honour and is joining a highly distinguished group of Canadian physicists.”

Along with her own research, Dr. Kanungo’s students benefit from access to accelerator facilities. The projects she leads as the principal investigator (PI) give students exposure, access and scientific scope at the international front line, leading to thesis projects for graduate and undergraduate honours students. At the TRIUMF research facility in British Columbia, Dr. Kanungo’s students have extensive hands-on access to her beamline IRIS facility. 

“I am very thankful to my international peers for the high value they have placed on my research activities,” says Dr. Kanungo. “Even more gratifying is to be able to open this access to the students and postdocs, providing work conditions and opportunities that only very few in the world can experience.”

Dr. Kanungo has led international collaborations in Japan, Germany, and Canada's TRIUMF. In recent years, she was named an American Physical Society (APS) Fellow and received the CAP-TRIUMF Vogt medal. She has given 93 invited talks globally and authored over 100 publications.

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About the Canadian Association of Physicists

The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) is the voice of Canadian physics. The CAP is dedicated to highlighting achievements in Canadian physics and pursuing scientific, educational, public policy and communication initiatives that enhance the vitality of physics and physicists in Canada. The CAP represents more than 1,700 physicists working in academia, government and industry. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1945.

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.

The Anne J. & Albert T. Isaacs Commons opens with inspiring SPHERE event

On March 22, The Anne J. & Albert T. Isaacs Commons opened inside the Loyola Academic building with a unique celebration which unveiled artistic displays and performances by Saint Mary’s students.

Named in honour of esteemed alumnus, the late Albert Isaacs DipENG'55 and his wife Anne, whose generosity brought it to fruition, the Isaacs Commons is a space that inspires great possibility. For events, gatherings and sharing in community, this space allows curious minds to connect, engage and explore.

The opening of the Isaacs Commons also served to host the space’s inaugural event: SPHERE. Developed by Residence Life, SPHERE is a celebration of unity, designed to bring the SMU community together through an artistic showcase of culture and community. The first of its kind at Saint Mary’s, SPHERE is a platform for students to share their talents and passions and celebrate their peers. The showcase included artwork, cultural creations, musical performances and more. With more than 180 in attendance, including students, faculty and staff, the Isaacs Commons was abuzz with inspiration and possibility.

The Anne J. & Albert T. Isaacs Commons

Welcoming the SMU Community to the SPHERE event

Student artwork on display

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray welcome community members to the grand opening of the Isaacs Commons

SMUSA President Shiray Tan welcomes the crowd

The Isaacs Commons overlooks the Huskies field

Textile artwork on display

Student musicians performing at SPHERE

Participate in EDIA focus groups on Employment Equity and SMU’s Canada Research Chairs Program

Invitation to Participate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Focus Groups related to Employment Equity and SMU’s Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program.
 
Saint Mary's University is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable campus community where diversity is celebrated and where all members feel valued, welcomed, respected, and supported. An employment systems review (ESR) will be conducted as part of the University’s ongoing efforts to identify and remove barriers that impede members of Equity Deserving Groups to fully participate in the workplace and within the research environment.
 
Two focus groups are scheduled for:

April 25, 1:30–3 p.m. (Staff)
April 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon (Faculty)
Location:  Atrium 340 (CLARI Room)
 
Your feedback and participation are greatly valued. If you are interested, please send your contact information to EDI@SMU.ca and indicate if you are faculty or staff.

If you are unable to participate in these in-person focus groups and would still like to participate in an individual interview or survey, please let us know at EDI@SMU.ca and we will follow up.

Should you have any questions, please contact Deborah Brothers-Scott, Director, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellness at Deborah.Brothers-Scott@SMU.ca.

Student leaders recognized at 2023-2024 SLRA ceremony

Student Leadership Recognition Award recipients

Congratulations to all 10 recipients of the 2024 Student Leadership Recognition Award (SLRA). The SLRA awards were presented in a ceremony on March 20, 2024, hosted by Career & Experiential Learning and Saint Mary’s University Student Association (SMUSA).

The annual award recognizes students who possess, display and apply leadership qualities and skills within the Saint Mary’s University community and beyond. The awards were initiated in 2012 and are given annually to a maximum of three students from each faculty.

Student Leadership Recognition Award 2024 recipients:

Faculty of Arts:

• Madison Vanderlinden, fourth year, Intercultural Studies & French

• Olivia Brennan, third year, Anthropology

• Rory McGarvey, fourth year, Environmental Studies

Faculty of Science:

• Amaan Ahmed, fourth year, Computing Science

• Katherine Myers, fourth year, Honours Astrophysics

• Paige Deering, fourth year, Biology

Sobey School of Business:

• Anubhav Gupta, fourth year, Finance & Computing and Information Systems

• Ashish Ganapathy, third year, Accounting & Finance

• Lydia Lee, third year, Marketing & Economics

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research: 

• Liam Mason, first year, MA Atlantic Canada Studies

McCain McLean Centre hosts Experiential Learning Symposium

On March 27, 2024, the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health hosted the university’s first-ever experiential learning symposium in support of the development of sport studies on campus. The event, titled “Sport Studies Outside the Classroom,” drew approximately 25 participants from on and off campus and included students, staff, faculty and industry professionals.

Experiential learning typically refers to hands-on opportunities to gain practical knowledge in a field. It includes an introspective component that calls upon students to reflect on their personal and professional development throughout the process. The event opened with presentations on the subject from the university’s Career and Experiential Learning office as well as the Director of Outreach and Experiential Learning for the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Kirrily Freeman.

Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, Director of the McCain McLean Centre and former instructor for Experiential Learning in Health, Wellness and Sport in Society (HWSS), provided an overview of current approaches to sport studies on campus. At the height of the pandemic, students completed online career modules and organized a virtual speaker series featuring women working in the sport and health industries.

Since 2023, the course has involved case study analysis in sport management and brief placements with organizations such as SMU Athletics & Recreation, the Counselling Centre, Rising Tide Irish Dance Academy, Volleyball Canada, Canoe Kayak Ontario Sprint and the Maritime Hockey League. The Centre also takes Experiential Learning students, the most recent of whom served as production assistants for a documentary on the history of women’s varsity sport on campus.

In preparation for the launch of the new certificate in Sports Business at Saint Mary’s in September 2024, the Centre invited the participation of Sport Nova Scotia, Halifax Wanderers FC and the University of Guelph. Scott McRoberts teaches Experiential Learning in Sport & Event Management at Guelph and is also the university’s Director of Athletics & Recreation.

“Experiential learning is a critical aspect in understanding the sport business landscape,” said McRoberts. “University athletics and recreation departments are well-positioned to provide students with those opportunities and to benefit from their contributions.” 

Saint Mary’s Director of Athletics & Recreation Scott Gray wrapped up the event with a presentation on existing and potential pathways for Experiential Learning students in his department. Students on campus have done gameday operations and worked in the fitness facility, and this year, a student with an interest in being an Athletic Director job-shadowed Gray. “We have an opportunity here to strengthen the relationship between athletics and academics on campus,” Gray said to the audience. “Experiential learning offers real-world insight in our dynamic and fast-paced environment.”

PWHL's Victoria Bach inspires young hockey players during campus visit

Victoria Bach (center) with SMU women’s Huskies hockey players

The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health had the pleasure of hosting Victoria Bach from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) at the Dauphinee Centre on campus on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Bach, originally from Milton, Ontario, and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation, visited Halifax as part of a series of events organized by the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, initiated by SMU’s former Indigenous Visiting Fellow Ryan Francis.

The event was aimed at young girls who play hockey in Nova Scotia and drew approximately 50 spectators. Centre Director Dr. Cheryl MacDonald facilitated a question and answer session, followed by Bach raffling off a game-used stick and signing autographs. Later, she spent time with current members of the Huskies women’s hockey team.

As the session concluded, Bach shared her wisdom with the young attendees, saying, “Remember, every time you get the chance to step on the ice is an opportunity to get better.” She emphasized, “If you work really hard and have confidence in yourself, you’ll never have any regrets—whether it’s hockey or anything in life—and at the end of the day, have so much fun. That’s what it’s all about.”

Dr. Cheryl MacDonald and Victoria Bach speak with young hockey players

“What an incredible opportunity for the Centre to host not only a world champion and professional ice hockey player but also a member of a First Nation who serves as a role model for young Indigenous girls,” remarked Centre Director Dr. Cheryl MacDonald. “I extend my gratitude to Ryan Francis and the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund for their partnership, and I appreciate Victoria for being so generous with her time today.”

Hours later, Bach’s PWHL Toronto head coach and Saint Mary’s alumni, Troy Ryan, led the Canadian national women’s team to secure a gold medal with an overtime victory over the USA at the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) Women’s World Championship in Utica, New York. Bach had previously won gold with Team Canada in 2021 and 2022 and remains an integral part of the national program. She has also competed in the former Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) before joining the PWHL.

Bach holds a Bachelor of Communication from Boston University, where she made history as the first player to score over 100 goals in the women’s hockey team's program. She missed the first eight games of the inaugural PWHL season as she was completing teacher’s college through Brock University.

The McCain McLean Centre continues its monthly online speaker series on ice hockey culture on Wednesday, April 24, with Dr. Janice Forsyth (UBC) and Dr. Taylor McKee (Brock University), who will discuss Indigenous participation in ice hockey. Interested individuals can register to receive the Zoom link on the Centre website.

From court to corporate: Keisha Turner’s ace transition to entrepreneurship

Keisha Turner BA’12

This year, Saint Mary’s celebrates the 50th anniversary of women in varsity sport. Throughout the year, we will highlight women in sport like Keisha Turner BA'12—an inspiring athlete, innovative entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist and valued Saint Mary's community member.

Whether speaking at an event, helping with volleyball camp, through her ongoing work with the Arthur L. Entrepreneurship Centre, or sharing her experience with students and other professionals, Keisha always takes advantage of an opportunity to get involved.

Keisha has been a devoted Huskies Varsity Volleyball team member since 2007. In 2010, she played a crucial role in the team's AUS Championship victory, setting the team on the path to success that continues today.

Even after graduating, Keisha continued to support the team as an Assistant Volleyball Coach until 2020. While coaching, Keisha shared her unique approach to success on the court. Her coaching philosophy, which blends physical preparedness with mental resilience, demonstrates her multifaceted approach to leadership—a quality that extends beyond sports into her entrepreneurial endeavours.

Now, Keisha remains an active member of the team's community by raising funds and cheering them on courtside and online.

Women's Atlantic University Sport Volleyball Championship, 2010

Keisha and Michael

Since graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Keisha combined her passion for sport, health and mindfulness to establish a career as an entrepreneur. With her husband, Michael Polak BComm'14, she has formed Akwekon—a consulting firm that guides Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the reconciliation of colonial and Indigenous practices.

More recently, Keisha co-founded Starberry Drink Co., a testament to innovation in the beverage industry, offering a refreshing, all-natural drink made from whole strawberries, maple syrup and water.

With her experience as an entrepreneur and athlete, Keisha has been named an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary's. In this role, Keisha is nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and enriching the Saint Mary's University's community by bridging academic theory with real-world business practices.

Keisha, a Black female entrepreneur and community leader, has established the Turner Bursary for African Canadian and Indigenous Women. She takes pride in the pivotal role bursaries played in her success and is committed to promoting positive change and student success at Saint Mary's University.

To honour her dedication to Saint Mary's University and exceptional volunteer service, the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association presented her with the Paul Lynch Alumni Volunteer Award in 2023.

Thousands gather on SMU Huskies field for solar eclipse event

The Department of Astronomy and Physics hosted one of Halifax’s most popular solar eclipse viewing events on Monday, April 8, bringing an estimated 2,500-3,000 people to campus to experience the highly-anticipated event.

Science enthusiasts of all ages filled the SMU Huskies football field for a chance to view the partial eclipse through one of the university’s solar telescopes or with a free pair of SMU Science eclipse glasses. Others brought homemade pinhole projectors and observed the changes in shadows as a way to view the eclipse safely.

It was a great way to celebrate the final day of winter term classes, with event-goers cheering together for the maximum eclipse mark at 4:38 p.m.Check out more photos of the event on the SMU Science Facebook page.

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Do you have a pair of eclipse glasses? Keep them! Partial solar eclipses are visible roughly every year or two from here in Halifax. There will be another partial solar eclipse in March 2025 and more partial eclipses coming up. You can always use eclipse glasses to safely look at the sun whenever it’s in the sky. If you’re finished with your glasses, feel free to return them to the Dean of Science Office, S221 in the Science building.

For more information about the eclipse and other events, visit the Burke-Gaffney Observatory website.

2024 Canadian Venture Capital Competition hosted at Saint Mary's

The 2024 winners in the graduate category from the University of Waterloo MBA: Zia Baig, Leo Zhang, Hisham Ismail, Hufsah Khan, Vireshaar Ragavan and Ryan Trainor.

The team from the University of Waterloo secured first place in the undergraduate category: Harry Soo, Leo Chen, Mischa Hinds, Rachel Butler, Tony Cao and Shilp Shah.

The team from the University of Toronto won second place in the MBA competition.

Team from University of New Brunswick (MBA)

VCIC judges

Team from Wilfrid Laurier University (Undergraduate)

Team from Dalhousie University (MBA)

Over 80 business students from leading universities across Canada, including the University of Alberta, University of Toronto, Queen's University and Wilfrid Laurier University, came together in Halifax recently for the Canadian Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). The day-long competition held on March 1, 2024, allowed students to immerse themselves in the role of venture capitalists and demonstrate their abilities in planning and execution while gaining valuable real-world insights.

“Hosting this divisional VCIC provides Canadian university students with the opportunities to participate in the world of venture capital, connecting with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists within the ecosystem. We are thrilled to nurture a supportive environment for entrepreneurial talents poised to make contributions to the evolving landscape of venture capital and innovation,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

This year marked the fourth iteration of the Canadian competition, a staple event held annually at the Sobey School of Business. The competition evaluates participants based on their thorough preparation and strategic implementation and offers a dynamic platform for students to delve into the nuances of venture capital investment. By engaging in simulated investment scenarios, students are challenged to make crucial decisions under pressure, replicating the scenarios faced by actual venture capitalists.

The 2024 winners in the graduate category are the team from the University of Waterloo MBA program, who secured the top spot and $1,000. A group of undergraduate students from the University of Waterloo secured first place in the undergraduate category with a prize of $500.

The two winning teams will compete at the 2024 VCIC Global Finals on April 12-13 at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Saint Mary’s University continues to solidify itself as a dominant force in the realm of university venture capital. While SMU students are excluded from competition in the Canadian division, they compete in the Northeastern Division of the Venture Capital Investment Competition against U.S. universities, frequently placing in the top ranks in both graduate and undergraduate categories.

Read more about SMU’s recent success in Boston: Students excel in Venture Capital Investment Competition.