On November 26, 2025, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS) hosted its fourth annual Industry Engagement Day at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill Campus. Under the theme Celebrating Our Ecosystem, the event welcomed 130 participants from industry, academia, and government to strengthen collaboration and advance innovation.

The day opened with remarks from Memorial leadership and government partners. Moderated by Dr. Rocky Taylor, Associate Dean of Research (Interim), FEAS, the program featured reflections on Memorial’s centennial year and the Faculty’s growing research strengths. Dr. Tana Allen, Vice-President (Research), emphasized Memorial’s role in fostering impactful research, while Dr. Bing Chen, Interim Dean of FEAS, highlighted the Faculty’s people, expertise, and research facilities as key drivers of innovation. Government partners, including Elizabeth Beckett, Director General, Regional Operations at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Heather Tizzard, Deputy Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, reaffirmed their support for partnerships that help translate research from Memorial’s labs into real-world impact.

Three plenary sessions were delivered by industry leaders from C-CORE, ExxonMobil Canada, and Cenovus Energy, highlighting long-standing collaborations, talent development, and industry-funded research. Cenovus announced a $2.25 million investment in Memorial, including $1.5 million for the FEAS Student Design Hub.

The event also featured an ecosystem panel showcasing Memorial’s innovation ecosystem, including quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and industrial outreach. Interactive breakout sessions allowed participants to discuss specific topics and explore synergies between academia and industry. The breakout sessions were led by companies such Altomaxx, Tacora Resources, Vard Marine, Angler Solutions, Avalon Holographics, ABS Canada, Compute Everything Technologies, Brook Construction, SEM Ltd., Edgewise Environmental, Compusult Ltd., and Mitacs.

The 2025 Industry Engagement Day reinforced the strength of FEAS’s partnerships and research momentum. The connections made during the event are expected to lead to ongoing partnerships and advancements in various fields of engineering and applied sciences. Post-event survey results showed 87.5% satisfaction, with 100% of respondents reporting the event supported industry–academic partnerships and indicating they would attend again.
With the momentum generated by another successful event, FEAS at Memorial University is well-positioned to continue its tradition of excellence and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of local innovation and supporting the growth of the local industry.

 

 

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