News | SMU News and Events

Saint Mary’s student entrepreneur wins $10,000 award for mental health app start-up

Olivian holds an oversized cheque for $10,000

Olivian Sanderson, winner of the Dream Chaser Change Maker Social Impact Award

Bachelor of Commerce student Olivian Sanderson, Co-Founder of Sociable, a mental health app designed for students, has won the Dream Chaser Change Maker (DCCM) Foundation Social Impact Award and $10,000. The DCCM invites student entrepreneurs with social impact aspirations to a pitch competition where a team of mentors and alumni select the next Dream Chaser.

Olivian competed against thirty contestants and was shortlisted as one of seven finalists at the recent DCCM Award Pitch Competition held at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. The award, which provides a scholarship supporting tuition and start-up costs, celebrates student entrepreneurs who use their businesses to address pressing social and environmental challenges. 

Olivian shared her excitement about the win and how the $10,000 prize will accelerate Sociable's development, “The competition was a great experience. Participating in the pitches was also amazing: being able to see all the amazing businesses other students are running and then being able to showcase my own to a panel of judges was great. The prize will help accelerate my business growth. With a portion of it going to my education, it also relieves some of that financial stress, meaning I can focus more time on doing what I love, building Sociable. The DCCM network has so many industry leaders and experts that I want to learn from, so I am excited to have been given such a valuable opportunity to do so.” 

Beyond the $10,000 prize, the competition celebrated students as changemakers, recognizing their commitment to creating a positive impact. The other finalists represented a diverse range of innovative ventures: 

  • Ashish Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Accesstructure, featured a business focused on creating more accessible campuses for those with disabilities; 

  • Gabriel Martin, Founder of Purlo Foods, pitched his business emphasizing transparency and sustainability in the food supply chain; 

  • Vaishali Sachdeva, Brand Ambassador of Bean, presented a smart food assistant app designed to revolutionize meal planning; 

  • Stuti Sandhu, Founder of Being There, pitched an initiative aiming to support dementia care and prevention with a personalized, holistic approach; 

  • Karanveer Singh, Founder of Eco-Nova Store, focused on sustainable and eco-friendly plastic alternative products that could be eaten after their use; and

  • Andrei Marchenko, Founder of All Year Greens, featured an innovative vertical farming solution to increase access to fresh, healthy food.

Finalist Andrei Marchenko shared his perspective on participating in the pitch competition: “This competition inspired me to grow as a presenter and helped improve my public speaking skills for a wider audience. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to grow both personally and professionally.” 

A group of people pose with Olivian and her cheque

Finalists, judges and DCCM representatives at the pitch competition

Following the competition, all finalists were invited to a pitch training program led by the DCCM team to refine their pitching skills further and advance their businesses. 

About The Dream Chaser Change Maker (DCCM) Foundation

Founded as a scholarship program in 2017, The DCCM Foundation is a federally registered non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing generations of social entrepreneurs. The DCCM aims to alleviate financial barriers to education, helping Dream Chasers (student social entrepreneurs) harness the power of academic knowledge and their creativity to drive positive social change in the world.   

Visit DCCM Foundation to learn more about the organization.  


Tallest solar-integrated building in North America wins Clean50 Award

Saint Mary’s University: bringing sustainability to life

Saint Mary’s University was honoured at the Clean50 Top Projects Awards, which annually recognizes Canada’s most innovative projects tackling climate change and sustainability.

Dennis Gillis at a podium shaking hands with a representative from Clean50

Dennis Gillis, Senior Director of Facilities Management at Saint Mary’s accepts the Clean50 Top Project Award

The Loyola Residence Recladding Project, a 22-storey student residence with an integrated, retrofitted solar exterior wall, was selected for its environmental leadership and innovation. Saint Mary’s is proud to represent the post-secondary sector among leading organizations from across Canada.

"Sustainability is at the heart of Saint Mary’s University and is a key pillar of our strategic plan," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University. "The Clean50 Award reflects our commitment to building a sustainable future. We are thrilled to see our efforts recognized and hope to inspire similar initiatives across Canada. Universities are driving forces of innovation in green energy research and climate action. Through transformative projects such as this one, Saint Mary’s has become a leader and hub for groundbreaking sustainability efforts.”

Setting new standards for sustainable urban infrastructure

Originally built over 50 years ago, the Loyola Residence faced challenges such as heat retention, leaks, and structural issues. Instead of simply replacing worn-out concrete, Saint Mary’s took advantage of the opportunity to do something unique.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are solar power systems built directly into walls, a roof, or windows, generating electricity from the sun but also acting as part of the building’s structure. Saint Mary’s worked with Toronto-based company Mitrex to install BIPV across the entire south-facing wall.

An aerial view of the top of the Sobeys Hub with the Loyola residence to the right

The Loyola Residence tower BIPV system shown on the right, along with solar panelling on the roof of the Sobeys Inspiration Hub

The retrofit includes work from DSRA Architects, Dillon Consulting, Able Electric, Markland Associates, and BMR Structural Engineering, with construction overseen by EllisDon Corporation and Grey Cardinal Management Inc.

According to Clean50, the project is a model for sustainable urban infrastructure, showcasing how older buildings can be revitalized to meet today’s energy efficiency standards.

Saint Mary’s has installed an interactive energy production display in the Loyola Residence lobby, allowing students and visitors to track solar energy generation in real-time. This display further demonstrates the university’s commitment to education and transparency in sustainability.

An interactive display in the Loyola building shows real-time solar energy information

Carbon footprint cut by 51.7% since 2005

Beyond the Loyola recladding project, Saint Mary’s offers a range of campus spaces and programs that bring sustainability to life. Upcoming initiatives include a green roof on the Patrick Power Library, new roof designs for McNally East and Homburg Centre, and a solar canopy for the science parking lot.

Initiatives already completed include:

  • replacing the steam heating plant with a high-efficiency hot water plant;

  • switching from oil to natural gas for heating; 

  • using compact fluorescent lights; 

  • replacing less efficient lights with LED lights; and 

  • increases in Nova Scotia Power’s energy blend from renewable sources.   


Access Ability: inclusive growth for individuals and employers

A group of students sit and talk in a round seated area

Opportunities for individuals who self-identify as living with a disability and inclusive businesses

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre's innovative Access Ability program, funded by Service Canada, empowers people who self-identify as living with a disability. This program provides two distinct paths depending on the individual’s need:

  • Access Ability Employment: helps participants find and secure fulfilling employment opportunities supported by a wage subsidy program.

  • Access Ability Entrepreneurship: supports those pursuing their own business ventures.

Both streams emphasize skill development and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The Access Ability Employment stream empowers participants through two key initiatives:

  • Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate (EMC) Program: Participants attend eight paid workshops led by industry experts. Topics include Creative Thinking and Problem Solving, Intrapreneurship: Unleashing Your Inner Entrepreneur and Navigating the Hidden Job Market. Participants learn valuable skills, earn up to $600, and receive learning and job-hunting support.

  • Wage Subsidy Program: This program helps individuals who self-identify as living with a disability find and keep supportive employment. This program does so by providing small and medium businesses in Atlantic Canada with the support of a wage subsidy (up to $6,300 at $9 per hour). The goal of the program is to help participants get the skills and training necessary to stay on with their employer after the subsidy is completed.

This year, a remarkable 92 participants learned transformative skills for success in job hunting and had on-the-job experience through Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate (EMC) training. In addition, 29 new employees joined wage-subsidized positions through funding that provided over $100,000 in wage subsidy support.

Just Cycle, one of the employers who joined the Wage Subsidy Program, reflects on the experience:

“Working with the Access Ability program has been very beneficial for our company. Not only did the program allow us to grow our team, but it also helped us improve employee engagement and productivity. The collaboration has been seamless; the team is responsive and genuinely invested in our success. We appreciate the tailored approach that addresses our unique challenges. Overall, we are thrilled with the outcomes and look forward to continuing our journey together. Thank you!”

Join the next cohort of the Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate (EMC) Program and Wage Subsidy Program. The next cohort of the EMC Program runs from February 10 to March 7, 2025. Sign up now to join this winter.

We are seeking employers to join the Wage Subsidy Program in 2025! Submit your interest form now to secure your spot.


Access Ability Entrepreneurship

The Access Ability Entrepreneurship stream provides two different streams:

  • Business Incubator: Offers participants a full-time paid wage along with guidance, training, resources and mentorship, all delivered virtually, allowing aspiring entrepreneurs from across the province to participate regardless of location.

  • Speaker Series: This series features 18 training sessions and group meetings with experienced speakers from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It provides invaluable knowledge for personal and business development, while participants earn up to $900 for attending all sessions.

This year’s cohort of the Access Ability Entrepreneurship program provided over $80,000 in wages along with business development and disability-related support for nine program participants.

Kevin MacKinnon, a small business owner in Port Hawkesbury and participant in the Business Incubator program, said, “I really enjoy the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator Program through SMU. There is so much to learn and they do a great job of breaking it down so it's easier to understand. This program has helped me a lot, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to build their business.”

This winter, the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Speaker Series runs from January 7 to March 8, 2025. There are only ten spots remaining. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or seeking to expand your entrepreneurial knowledge, this program will allow you to learn directly from experienced speakers from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Apply now for the 2025 cohort and secure your spot for the Speaker Series this winter!


Questions?

Employment Stream: Contact AccessAbility@smu.ca

Entrepreneurship Stream: Contact aae@smu.ca

De-Mystifying AI in the Workplace

Arjun wears a black suit and stands in front of colourful boxes showcasing the UN sustainable goals

Arjun Asokakumar, Director of Data Science at RBC, was the keynote speaker at Responsible Leadership Day 2024

Empowering Students to Shape a Sustainable Future

A 2024 analysis by Statistics Canada reveals a growing trend, with 30% of businesses in the information and cultural industries, 25% in professional, scientific, and technical services, and 19% in arts, entertainment and recreation planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the next year.[1]

In a world where AI seems to be everywhere, how can students prepare themselves for what the future could bring?

The Sobey School of Business brought together inspiring leaders and forward-thinking students for its sixth annual Responsible Leadership Day on November 22, 2024.

The event kicked off with a thought-provoking keynote on how AI-driven automation may reshape job roles and skill requirements, delivered by Arjun Asokakumar, Director of Data Science at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with expert panelists on the upcoming challenges of AI.

Responsible Leadership Day at Saint Mary’s University

In today’s competitive job market, students must understand how to effectively work with and respond to artificial intelligence to stay ahead, not just in the business world but across multiple areas. Regardless of where you are in the organization, AI has the potential to impact all levels.

How do machine learning and algorithms help solve people’s problems?

Although AI may seem complex and mysterious, at its core, it’s all about us—people. AI is programmed by people, learns from people, and ultimately is used by people. It learns by reading our books, analyzing our paintings, listening to our music, downloading our history and studying our habits.

Because it learns from us, AI inevitably inherits our flaws and biases. What we think, feel, and believe becomes embedded in its algorithms. AI cannot judge right from wrong—it processes data without judgement. For example, when using AI to sort through resumes for hiring, factors like postal codes, names, genders, and gaps in employment due to parental leave can unintentionally introduce biases into the process.

The ability to recognize and understand these biases is crucial for using AI effectively and responsibly. As AI becomes more integrated into the workplace, employers are placing greater value on this crucial skill. 

As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, the need for specialized knowledge remains high. Understanding how to judge the information AI provides you—and being able to critically evaluate its output—is key to using the technology responsibly.

As an employer, there are steps you can take too. For example, pushing for transparency on what data was used in creating the AI programs and asking for evidence and results.

The expert panel emphasized innovation and plans for action toward a more responsible future, all while embracing an entrepreneurial mindset.

Dr. Stephanie Kelley, Scotiabank Professor in Innovations in Business Technology and Assistant Professor of Management Science at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University, moderated the discussion.

Panelists included Roshanak Sadeghi-Zadeh, Director of People and Belonging at IWK Health, Saeed El-Darahali, President and CEO of SimplyCast, and Sandra Pasquini, Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Empire Company Limited.

[1] Analysis on expected use of artificial intelligence by businesses in Canada, third quarter of 2024


About Responsible Leadership Day   

Responsible Leadership Day is a flagship event for the Sobey School of Business. It brings together students and researchers with industry and government partners and highlights the school’s commitment as signatories of PRME, a UN initiative that promotes Principles for Responsible Management Education. The Sobey School of Business is committed to upholding sustainability, as demonstrated by its research, student projects, and course content.

Exciting developments in healthcare programming at Saint Mary’s

When Saint Mary’s received a landmark investment of $25 million from the provincial government in 2023, the university leveraged existing expertise towards a new purpose and to support an area of life that impacts Nova Scotians every day: healthcare.  The university got to work developing academic and professional programming and pathways for healthcare leaders and innovators of the future.

The resulting Healthcare Pathways Initiative is a university-wide project, aligned with the Province of Nova Scotia's Action for Health strategy. Since 2023, a dedicated team of faculty and staff have worked to build programming, certificates and courses that apply our expertise in data analytics, management, and leadership to the healthcare sector.

Recent developments include the Healthcare Professional Development series, a suite of certificate and course offerings launched in June 2024, including:

•       Innovation in Healthcare with Design Thinking
•       Leading the Healthy Healthcare Workplace: The R.I.G.H.T Way
•       Data Literacy Intro in Healthcare Series
•       Conflict and Negotiations Certificate
•       Healthcare Leadership Certificate

Interest has been high; spots for the Fall sessions filled quickly, and the 2025 Winter/Spring courses are fully subscribed with a waiting list. 

The brand-new Master of Applied Health Services-Professional Stream also started in September with an inaugural cohort of 8 students, and an additional master's program and graduate diploma are in development.

Additionally, the team has been working to create pathways between the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and Saint Mary’s. Since 2023, agreements have been made between the two institutions, including pathways in Occupational Health and Safety and Disability Support Services programs.

Interested faculty and staff are encouraged to learn more and follow updates at the  Healthcare Pathways Initiative website.

Halifax Memory Maps research offers a new look at city’s heritage

A new study by researchers in the Department of Anthropology at Saint Mary’s University has found that 87 per cent of Halifax buildings that were standing in 1878 have since been demolished. The first phase of the Halifax Memory Maps project used archival maps and geographic information system (GIS) software to measure the loss of heritage buildings in the urban environment.

The study’s results were published online November 12 in the form of an ArcGIS StoryMap called Halifax Heritage: 1878, which can be accessed at mapsofmemory.com

“We hope these findings will encourage Haligonians to reconsider the extent and value of Halifax’s rich architectural inheritance before it vanishes forever,” Dr. Jonathan Fowler says on behalf of the research team.

Student and professor look over a historic map in a classroom

Emily Davis BA’24 works with Dr. Fowler in the Archaeology Lab

Recent graduates Emily Davis BA’24 and Gillian Bonner BA’24 were key players in the project as student researchers while finishing their Bachelor of Arts degrees.

“I think the Memory Maps project is valuable to the public in general because it allows people to engage and connect more with the city that they live in,” says Davis, who grew up in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton. “The digital maps make the heritage and history of the city more accessible…that’s sort of the point of archaeology, to share it with the community and the public.”

Project background

Halifax is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities and will soon have over half a million residents. The bustle and new builds are evident to all, with construction cranes and traffic detours across the city.

“In times of rapid and transformational change, it is important to carefully consider what we choose to keep and what we choose to discard,” says Dr. Fowler. “Recognizing that change is necessary for growth and that heritage architecture is an important part of Halifax's distinctive vibe and character, we need to find a balance. How much of Halifax's rich and unique architectural heritage should be carried into the future, and what can be let go?”

Prior to the Halifax Memory Maps project, there has been no systematic survey of Halifax's architectural heritage. The research team felt that an inventory of built heritage assets is an essential part of any meaningful discussion of this subject: “We cannot properly manage and steward what we have not first measured and mapped,” says Dr. Fowler.

Starting with the first large-scale map of the city, the 1878 Hopkins’ City Atlas of Halifax, the team examined the Halifax peninsula, street by street and building by building, to see what survived and what has been lost. The results of this first phase of the project revealed that whole neighbourhoods have vanished from some areas of the city, while in others, large parts of old Halifax remain intact. Some well-seasoned buildings have acquired municipal or provincial heritage status and thus a measure of official protection. In most cases, however, they have not and could face the risk of being demolished.

A section of downtown Halifax shown in historical context

This image from the Halifax Heritage 1878 map shows “a vanished neighbourhood, a Victorian gasworks, and the Tobin estate beneath what is now the Barrington St. Superstore and Peace and Friendship Park.”

The challenge moving forward

A recent HRM staff report reveals that from 2009 to 2019, 33 of 104 buildings with potential for municipal heritage designation were demolished, an attrition rate of 32 per cent in just 10 years.[1] This report relates to just a small area of downtown Halifax.

Until now, planners—and the public—have not had a comprehensive map of peninsular Halifax’s oldest buildings. Along with raising awareness of our built heritage, the researchers hope the Halifax Memory Maps project offers a helpful tool for managing current and future growth.

“As our newly elected mayor and Council are seated, and as the pace of change continues to drive the city to grow bigger and busier than ever before, Haligonians need to decide what kind of Halifax they want to bequeath to future generations,” says Dr. Fowler. “For that is the essential nature of heritage: it is what we inherit from our ancestors. And it is what we value enough to preserve and pass on to others.”

The research team was recently invited to present findings at a special meeting of the HRM Planning and Development Office and will continue to share results with municipal staff and the public in the months ahead. In development now are a map of Late Victorian Halifax and a map of grave markers in The Old Burying Ground, one of Canada's oldest marked cemeteries.

The team will release its next map – Halifax 1899 – in Spring 2025. Team members include:

  • Gillian Bonner BA’24, an Anthropology graduate who now works in cultural resource management;

  • Emily Davis BA’24, a graduate of the Anthropology honours program; she has an interest in industrial, landscape and historical archaeology;

  • Dr. Jonathan Fowler, an archaeologist who ‘loves old maps’ and teaches in the Department of Anthropology;

  • Sheheryar Khan, a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Engineering student at Saint Mary's; he is interested in civil engineering and environmental issues; and

  • Wesley Weatherbee, the Anthropology Laboratory Technician at Saint Mary’s, where his research focuses on coastal archaeology and climate change.

Davis hopes the research project will help to guide her toward a career in the archaeology field. “I would like to keep working in this area of study,” she says. “I find it to be very rewarding and I’m also quite passionate about it. I think it’s important work, so I would like to go further with my education and do a master’s, and then kind of see where life takes me from there.”

Emily sits with a TV reporter inside the archelogy lab

Emily Davis talks with Global TV about the Memory Maps project

[1] Heritage Advisory Committee and Community Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee, 31 January 2019. Case H00437: Strategy for the Protection of Potential Heritage Resources Downtown

Halifax, Item No 9.3.


Holiday closure: What's open, what’s not

With exams wrapping up on December 19 and university administrative offices closing their doors at 5 p.m. on December 23 for the holiday break, here’s a handy reference of what services will be available for those on campus:

Food services

For a full schedule of food service operation hours during the exam period and the holiday closure (until January 8), click here.

Wellness services and supports

The Health Clinic, Counselling Centre and Sexual Violence Support Centre will be closed from 4 p.m. on December 23 to 8 a.m. on January 6. Additionally, the SMU Community Food Room will be closed from December 13 to January 8.

Students in need of support during the holiday closure can access the following resources:

  • The Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team at 1-888-429-8167

  • Good2Talk at 1-833-292-3698 or text Good2TalkNS to 686868

  • The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Help Line can be reached by call or text to 9-8-8

  • The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at 902-425-0122

  • Dial 211 for community and social services. For police, fire and medical emergencies, please call 911 and engage SMU Campus Security.

  • For non-emergency health care, visit your nearest walk-in health clinic or access the NS Mobile Primary Care Clinics

Safety services

SMU Security and safety services will remain operational throughout the holiday closure. SMU Campus Security will maintain 24/7 operations.

  • For campus emergencies, call 904-420-5000 or dial 5000 from any campus landline phone.

  • For campus non-emergency support call 902-420-5577 or dial 5577 from any campus landline phone.

  • The Loyola Residence Desk will also maintain 24/7 operations and can be reached by phone at 902-420-5591.

  • The SMUSA Husky Patrol services will pause on December 17and resume on January 8, 2025. 

    A more complete list of important dates is available at the Academic Calendar of Events. Have a safe and restful holiday!

New web home for merged Political Science and Global Development Studies departments

The Department of Political Science and Global Development Studies is excited to welcome the SMU community to its new departmental web pages! The update emerges from the recent merger of Political Science and Global Development Studies into a single department, with students now able to benefit from enhanced course offerings, expanded faculty expertise and supervision, and added collaborative events and initiatives.

The new department offers undergraduate majors, minors and honours programs in both areas of study; graduate degrees in Global Development Studies; and, in collaboration with the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, a Minor in Global Environmental Politics (GEP).

Faculty members in the department pursue leading-edge research across a wide range of fields, offering students the knowledge and skills required to intervene in the world in bold and positive ways, encouraging intellectual curiosity, research skills, analytic thinking and practical engagement. 

Explore the department's new website at smu.ca/polisci-gds.

Mia Makhlouf receives 2024 Montreal Women’s Memorial Scholarship

Engineering student Mia Makhlouf.

Congratulations to Mia Makhlouf, the recipient of the 2024 Montreal Women’s Memorial Scholarship. This award was presented at a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women ceremony at Saint Mary’s University. Mia is a first-year student in the Diploma in Engineering program.

Presented each year to a female Engineering student, the scholarship honours the memory of the 14 women who were killed on December 6, 1989 in an anti-feminist attack at the École Polytechnique, the engineering school at the Université de Montréal.

The event was part of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at Saint Mary’s, commemorative days that served as a prompt to contemplate our collective past, celebrate our accomplishments, and work towards a better future for all.

Health Data Analytics Symposium showcases student innovation

How can data transform healthcare? Can data help us make better decisions around patient care and even help manage the overall healthcare system in Nova Scotia?

Those were the central questions at the Health Data Analytics Symposium, which was recently held at Saint Mary’s University. The symposium brought together a diverse group of experts from government, healthcare, and business.

This annual event provides a platform for SMU graduate students in the Master in Business Analytics (MBAN) program to present their groundbreaking research. It is a place for them to share the results of their internships and co-ops with some of Nova Scotia’s largest healthcare providers, including Nova Scotia Health, the IWK and the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. This symposium is aimed at fostering partnerships between academia and healthcare, driving innovations that directly benefit Nova Scotians.

MBAN student Farhat Roopkatha

“My work with the IM/IT Business Intelligence Team at Nova Scotia Health […] has been a transformative experience, setting new standards for capacity planning and organizational transparency in healthcare,” says MBAN student Farhat Roopkotha.

“From customizing workflows to fostering collaboration across diverse teams, this project has demonstrated how tailored tools can drive impactful change. By integrating Agile methodologies, we’ve empowered teams to optimize resources and align goals for better outcomes across Nova Scotia Health.”

Healthcare experts questioned the students about the practical applications of data insights into various aspects of healthcare, from daily medical routines to long-term planning. These discussions highlighted examples of how data is being used to enhance patient care and streamline healthcare operations in local emergency rooms, long-term care facilities, and prescription management.

“The feedback from the Nova Scotia Health community was truly inspiring, reaffirming the importance of this project in improving data collection and patient outcomes,” says MBAN student Fana Abaynew Mandefro, who presented her work with the Wound Care Registry Project with the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub.

A notable session delved into the role of data in understanding the social determinants of health. Scott McKenna, Chief Information Officer, Nova Scotia Health and IWK, stressed the importance of analyzing social factors such as income and education. “Data and analytics have the power to bring tremendous insight to the health system.  Layering in important socio-economic information can give us a whole different perspective and influence how we design solutions for citizens and tailor them to respond to unique needs.”

Jordan Warford, Executive Director of Planning and Performance, Department of Health and Wellness

Jordan Warford, Executive Director of Planning and Performance, Department of Health and Wellness, posed the question, “How can we harness the power of data to plan for the longer term?”

Warford emphasized the importance of data analytics in uncovering hidden patterns and trends, which can lead to more informed decisions. “Data is the compass guiding us through healthcare’s complexities, revealing insights that turn information into better care and healthier communities. These students are proving that the smart decisions we make today can shape a stronger, more sustainable system for tomorrow.”

As the symposium progressed, attendees gained valuable insights into the critical role of data in shaping the future of healthcare. The event underscored SMU’s commitment to fostering innovation and preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Matthew Murphy, Chief Data Officer, Nova Scotia Health Authority, expressed his deep appreciation for the partnership and commitment to further advancing internship programs with SMU. Saint Mary’s University continues to lead the way in equipping students with the tools to revolutionize healthcare through data. "Partnerships like the one between Nova Scotia Health and Saint Mary’s University are pivotal in shaping the future of healthcare. By leveraging the power of data, we are not only equipping students with practical skills but also creating real-world solutions that enhance care and improve outcomes for Nova Scotians.”

The work underway in SMU's health analytics space reflects the ecosystem's commitment to building a healthcare system that meets today’s demands and is prepared to adapt to future challenges with data at its core.

Gain skills with Experience Ventures this Winter Term

Students present a slide called Design Concepts

At the halfway mark, Experience Ventures celebrates success and adds opportunities for students for the winter term

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary are delighted with the response to the Experience Ventures program launched this fall. To date, 97 students are participating in various entrepreneurial projects. In response to the interest, the program has expanded and has 70 placements available for the Winter Term.


Opportunities for Students

Students across Atlantic Canada can apply to Experience Ventures to work hands-on with innovative businesses on real-world projects, develop valuable skills, and build professional networks.

One participant says, “Being able to work with real business owners while getting direct input on our ideas really gave us a taste of the entrepreneurial world.”

Sign up now! Those interested in upcoming Winter Term programs can submit a form and receive email notifications.  


Enthusiastic response from business partners

We are thrilled with the response from the business community—all 66 opportunities are now assigned. This speaks to the value businesses place on connecting with the innovative talent, contemporary skills, and fresh thinking they gain by partnering in this program.

One of the founders and owners of Market Price, Lauren Ferguson BComm’20, reflects on her participation with Experience Ventures. "It was great to be part of it. We learned a lot from the students, and it was really nice to get involved with the community and our alumni connection [at Saint Mary’s University]," says Lauren. “I definitely recommend other businesses participate in the Experience Ventures Hackathon, especially small businesses in the community—it really gets you involved and sparks some great ideas.”


About Experience Ventures

Experience Ventures is a national program that pairs students with startups and businesses, providing unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning. The program offers a variety of placements, including hackathons, challenges, project experiences, student-in-residence positions, and interdisciplinary team projects.

For more information on Experience Ventures, please visit our website or contact:

Engineering students embrace entrepreneurial thinking at Experience Ventures Hackathon

A team of students present their ideas on a screen

Engineering students pitch their ideas at the Hackathon

Entrepreneurial thinking is not just for business students—it’s a valuable mindset that transforms every field, as demonstrated by the Experience Ventures Hackathon. Hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre in partnership with The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary and the Government of Canada, the recent hackathon brought together 30 engineering students from Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie University to solve a real-world challenge from Payzant Home Hardware. 

What was the challenge? Students were tasked with designing innovative solutions to enhance quality control at Payzant Home Hardware’s roof truss manufacturing facility. Using cutting-edge technologies like AI, robotics, and 3D prototyping, the students worked in teams for a week starting on November 23 and culminating in a compelling presentation on November 30.

A team of students presents their ideas

“This Hackathon taught me that engineering is not just about solving technical problems—it is about finding creative solutions that make a real impact,” said one student participant. 

Greg Smith, a Payzant Home Hardware representative, praised the students’ ingenuity, calling their ideas transformative for the manufacturing industry. The event highlighted how entrepreneurial thinking can inspire innovation across disciplines, proving that the principles of entrepreneurship are universal tools for progress. 

Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, enables post-secondary students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. Experience Ventures is funded by the Government of Canada and is delivered nationwide in partnership with post-secondary institutions. Saint Mary’s University’s Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre is the Regional Lead Atlantic Canada partner in Experience Ventures. Find out about student opportunities with honorariums available through Experience Ventures.

Sign up now to receive emails about upcoming programs.