The City of Ottawa has long recognized the pivotal role of skilful leadership in achieving its vision of prosperity, sustainability and resilience. For over a decade, 91亚色鈥檚 Schulich ExecEd has been a trusted partner, helping to equip Ottawa鈥檚 leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the increasingly complex challenges of municipal leadership. This past year, Schulich ExecEd delivered an updated version of its Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership program to 50 City of Ottawa managers.

Customized to meet the diverse needs of both new and seasoned leaders at the City of Ottawa, this 12-day learning program, which unfolded over 12 months, included three modules: Essentials of Municipal Leadership, Strategic Municipal Leadership and 鈥� the new addition 鈥� Future-proofing Municipalities.

鈥淭his program has challenged the participants to think about the type of leader they want to be 鈥� someone who encourages and develops people, who listens, who models integrity, who puts others first, and who acts with courage and care as we work together to build a truly great city,鈥� said Wendy Stephanson, city manager. 鈥淚t has also presented a wonderful opportunity for our leaders to broaden their skills and explore new and innovative ways of thinking.鈥�

The new module epitomizes the City of Ottawa鈥檚 forward-looking vision, challenging participants to embrace complexity, leverage data, and lead through change with strategic foresight and digital acumen.

The cohort-based learning experience also provided networking and collaboration opportunities among leaders across different departments, fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning and building collegial relationships to last beyond the program.

鈥淭he content was like a reassuring reality check,鈥� said one participant. 鈥淓veryone is facing similar struggles and challenges, but all we have to do is redefine how we look at these and give ourselves some leeway in terms of how we define success.鈥�

Last month, the City of Ottawa hosted a Celebration of Learning event, recognizing the 50 program participants for their dedication and accomplishments. With leaders from both the city and Schulich ExecEd in attendance, the celebration served as a testament to the transformative power of education and collaboration in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

鈥淚n an era of unprecedented uncertainty, the need for skilled and agile leaders in the public sector has never been more apparent,鈥� said Rami Mayer, executive director of Schulich ExecEd. 鈥淓xecEd鈥檚 Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership program delves deep into the psychology of leadership, effective communication, cultures of innovation, political acuity and agile decision-making. Those are skills that municipal leaders of our future need to harness today to nurture their leadership strengths, and those of their teams, and deliver on their commitment to provide exceptional service to their communities.鈥�

Through strategic partnerships like this one, municipal professionals are being empowered with the skills and knowledge necessary to continue to shape the future of the communities they serve.

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At 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering, building relationships with external partners is a key objective that not only enhances Lassonde鈥檚 reach and reputation but provides students with unique learning opportunities and experiences.

Recently, Liam Butler, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, teamed up with construction company Printerra, which offers 3D construction printing. Together, they are helping to address Canada鈥檚 growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing by manufacturing 3D-printed concrete homes. Using state-of-the-art printing technology and low-carbon concrete materials, the project's goal is to transform the future of housing construction by reducing both labour costs and construction time.

In support of this initiative, Butler received funding through the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada's Alliance Advantage program. In addition to aiding research objectives, this funding will allow for the training and recruitment of graduate-level student researchers, who will have the opportunity to advance their engineering skills through lab testing and field monitoring.

鈥淭he major goals of this project are testing the feasibility of 3D-printed concrete homes and their long-term performance against different climate conditions,鈥� says Butler.

This project will take advantage of innovative facilities at Lassonde, including the High Bay Structures Lab and the 鈥� a unique space that allows for outdoor testing and monitoring of natural and infrastructure materials to evaluate their performance under realistic climate conditions.

鈥淧rinterra is the first industry partner to directly undertake work at the CD3 Facility,鈥� says Butler. 鈥淭his project fulfills the entire vision of the facility, and we hope it will put us on the map and generate further interest from industry partners.鈥�

In addition to performance testing, Butler will focus on the development of low-carbon concrete mixtures that can be used to 3D print structural components.

Similar to 3D printing with plastics and metals, using concrete involves the successive deposition of thin layers of material through an extrusion nozzle. The properties of the concrete must be closely controlled to ensure each layer hardens and holds its shape prior to adding the next layer.

Typically, these mixtures contain significant amounts of Portland cement, a conventional material used to make concrete 鈥� and a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. By developing new, low-carbon concrete materials, Butler will establish a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete, helping to offset the associated carbon footprint of 3D-printed housing.

This project also gives student researchers the chance to collaborate with industry professionals and achieve research outcomes that directly relate to industrial applications. Such opportunities are crucial for career preparation, offering learners hands-on experiences and connections that are invaluable as they transition from academia to their professional careers.

鈥淭his project is going to demonstrate the strong potential of 3D-printed concrete homes while building trust in new, low-carbon concrete materials and construction technologies 鈥� it is a very exciting time for our research group,鈥� says Butler.

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This month, as one of the designated organizations in the Government of Canada鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program, YSpace 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 entrepreneurship and innovation hub 鈥� is welcoming a group of entrepreneurs from 10 startup companies based outside of Canada who are seeking to expand their businesses here. Advancing global entrepreneurship through initiatives like this one, in both Canada and overseas, is a priority of 91亚色 U鈥檚 Global Engagement Strategy.

The federal government鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that will create jobs. As one of the program鈥檚 selected partners, YSpace, , works with these potential immigrant entrepreneurs to familiarize them with the Canadian business landscape.

鈥淭here are a limited number of designated organizations and it鈥檚 a highly coveted label,鈥� said David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace. 鈥淲e are one of the few at the university level.鈥�

YSpace received its formal designation last August and has since shepherded a pilot cohort and a full cohort of entrepreneurs through the program 鈥� 15 companies in total, primarily originating from South America and Asia. The team is planning to promote the program to European entrepreneurs next.

Each Government of Canada-designated organization creates its own process for the program and chooses its own entrepreneurs to mentor. YSpace鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program focuses on innovative technology companies across all sectors but has gained the most traction with artificial intelligence (AI) ventures. It accepts applications throughout the year and invites a selection of companies to participate.

YSpace鈥檚 process begins with Blueprint, a six-week boot camp where entrepreneurs assess the Canadian market and do a feasibility study for their business. Upon successful completion of Blueprint, participants become eligible for the Launchpad program, a year-long coaching and mentorship experience designed to provide strategic advice while ensuring consistent progress. YSpace works with the startups 鈥� up to five people from each company 鈥� to create and execute their business plans and facilitate opportunities to meet potential customers and buyers.

The businesses the Start-up Visa Program assists are not new ventures, but ones that are already operational in their home countries.

鈥淲e help them adapt their existing strategy to new markets,鈥� said Ellen Kim, Start-up Visa Program officer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a new way to support industry looking to come to Canada and seeking a way to explore the market.鈥�

For instance, the Korean company Kloser recently launched its AI-powered referral marketing tool in Canada after working with YSpace. The innovation hub is also working with Brazilian entrepreneur Milo Andreo to help him launch an English version of his successful piano learning app.

鈥淭hese companies want to tap into the AI talent here in Canada and leverage the English-speaking local talent to adapt their products to the North American market,鈥� said Jason Muloongo, Start-up Visa Program advisor.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), based at the Korean Consulate in Toronto, has placed a company in each of YSpace鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program cohorts to date and encourages its startups to work with YSpace.

鈥淭he partnership between YSpace and KOTRA Toronto has been beneficial for us,鈥� said Miki Cho, deputy general manager of KOTRA Toronto. 鈥淥ur collaborative efforts have provided invaluable resources and support, enabling Korean entrepreneurs to thrive in the Canadian market.鈥�

When it comes to assisting startups, YSpace has a proven track record. Through its wide array of programs, it has supported 985 ventures to date, which have collectively generated $277 million in revenue, raised $143 million in funding and created 1,493 jobs. This federal program involvement will allow YSpace to further solidify its reputation as an industry-leading incubator for entrepreneurs and innovators alike.

鈥淭he growing interest in YSpace鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program is an indication of YSpace鈥檚 success in moving towards the goal of building 91亚色 into a global brand for entrepreneurship and innovation,鈥� said Kwok. 鈥淭he recent success has led to an increased interest in our soft-landing and market discovery programs from trade agencies across the world.鈥�

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Each year on June 23,  honours the efforts and achievements of women while highlighting the need for diversification in the field. In celebration of this day, 91亚色's Lassonde School of Engineering is spotlighting Zoi Ralli, Stavroula Pantazopoulou and Baoxin Hu 鈥� three of the many inspiring women at Lassonde who are demonstrating excellence in engineering through their passion, expertise and solutions-driven research.

Zoi Ralli

A postdoctoral fellow in the Civil Engineering Department, Ralli has developed and tested a novel, sustainable concrete formulated with recycled waste material instead of cement.

鈥淐ement production is a very energy-intensive process," explains Ralli, "and it is responsible for seven per cent of carbon dioxide emissions globally.鈥�

Ralli鈥檚 cement-free concrete addresses the extreme sustainability concerns of traditional concrete production, boasting a 70 to 90 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The material was developed with byproducts from a Canadian quarry, comprised of Earth materials and minerals like silicon and aluminum. She also designed the concrete with microfibers to improve its overall strength and performance. These steel, needle-like fibers allow the concrete to withstand harsh conditions, while minimizing cracking and increasing durability.

鈥� shows that it is possible to completely eliminate the use of cement by replacing it with geological and industrial waste materials to develop a high-performance and sustainable concrete,鈥� she says.

Stavroula Pantazopoulou

Another achievement worth celebrating is the recent recognition of Lassonde Professor Stavroula Pantazopoulou 鈥� coincidentally, Ralli's supervisor 鈥� as a fellow of the prestigious Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). This distinction reflects her significant research impact and dedication to science and engineering, further underscoring the exceptional contributions of women at Lassonde.

鈥淔or me, this award represents the most important recognition of my work," says Pantazopoulou, who was one of a small number of highly accomplished individuals to be selected as a CAE fellow this year. "No other award compares to this one.鈥�

This commendation is a testament to the transformative efforts Pantazopoulou has made to the field of structural engineering. Her research focuses on addressing a range of complex and emerging infrastructure concerns. In particular, she dedicates her work to enhancing the structural design of various infrastructure, to improve resistance against earthquakes and other extreme events. Though modern infrastructure is typically developed with resilient materials, many older buildings are constructed with less advanced components, posing safety risks to occupants. To address this concern, Pantazopoulou鈥檚 work aims to upgrade and retrofit older buildings with new and innovative materials.

As a newly appointed CAE fellow, she is positioned to further advance the field of structural engineering and elevate her research to new heights.

Baoxin Hu

Hu, a professor in the Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, is an accomplished researcher at Lassonde who recently secured significant funding 鈥� three grants in total 鈥� from the Canadian Space Agency and Forestry Futures Trust Ontario. She will use this support to advance her forest management research through remotely sensed data analysis and the development of various artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Motivated by the urgent demand for accurate information regarding carbon sequestered forest ecosystems, as well as the need for highly qualified personnel with particular skills and knowledge to help tackle climate change, Hu is leading a multidisciplinary team to address and create solutions for carbon stock in forest ecosystems. Through funding from the Canadian Space Agency, the team will use satellite Earth observation data to develop AI methods that can accurately quantify carbon flux and stocks in Canadian forests.

With funding from Forestry Futures Trust Ontario, Hu's second project is aimed at improving sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation by developing AI methods to survey lichens in Canadian forests. These organisms play many critical roles in forest ecosystem dynamics, like serving as a dietary source for various animals and supporting water and nutrient cycling. Using single photon LiDAR (SPL) data, Hu and her team will map and characterize lichens in the Ontario boreal forest and use this information to develop AI methods that can effectively predict lichen distribution in other forest ecosystems.

Hu's third project, also funded by Forestry Futures Trust Ontario, will explore drone-based AI technologies, referred to as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), and their ability to analyze conditions of forest ecosystems. Specifically, these RPAS will collect data concerning the effects of silviculture, which is the practice of controlling the growth and composition of forests. By collecting this data, different forest ecosystems can be classified based on the intensity of silviculture, enabling forest managers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of forest environments.

To learn more about the ways Lassonde provides support, resources and opportunities for women in engineering, visit Lassonde's .

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91亚色's Schulich ExecEd is partnering with Skills/Comp茅tences Canada (SCC), an organization dedicated to enhancing the involvement of youth and their communities in skilled trade and technology careers, to provide leadership training for the next generation of workers.

As part of the collaboration, Schulich ExecEd served as an education sponsor for this year's , a multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices, which was held in Quebec City last month. Schulich ExecEd also served as the official 2024 training partner of the Skills Canada National Alumni Committee, comprised of 13 youth leaders from across Canada who will receive critical training in the areas of strategic communications, business case development and coaching.

鈥淲e take pride in our collaboration with Skills/Comp茅tences Canada, serving as a sponsor and the official training partner of the National Alumni Committee for 2024," says Rami Mayer, executive director of Schulich ExecEd. "The programming provided goes beyond theoretical knowledge, focusing on cultivating leadership skills crucial for empowering the next generation of youth.鈥�

In an effort to bridge the gap between trade expertise and business acumen, Schulich ExecEd endeavours to equip future leaders with essential business skills such as management, leadership, finance, communications, data analytics and more. Through accelerated programming, Schulich ExecEd will provide tools to help ignite an entrepreneurial spirit, cultivate a resilient workforce and empower trades professionals to achieve desired growth levels in their respective fields.

"In today鈥檚 dynamic business landscape, young professionals are faced with multifaceted challenges that demand a comprehensive skill set," says Mayer. "Through this meaningful partnership, we aim to empower these talented youth members with the business acumen necessary to navigate the complexities of tomorrow鈥檚 job market."

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Moustapha Seck, an electrical and electronic engineering graduate from 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering, has created a company in Ghana that provides loans, market access and guidance to small-scale farmers in Ghana.

One of every two adult Ghanaians work as smallholder farmers, and many of them merely subsist, struggling to achieve profitably year after year. Seck created a company called Fluid Finance Technologies after identifying the need for those farmers to be able to obtain loans, despite their lack of collateral, to improve their businesses with more modern equipment and the latest agricultural knowledge, thus creating wealth for them. 鈥淭here was a lot of education needed and lots of people have taken advantage of them, so their work was often a zero-sum game,鈥� Seck says. 鈥淲e wanted to turn that into a win-win situation.鈥�  

Fluid Finance Technologies looks to create those scenarios by offering aid to smallholding farmers in Ghana and creating a bridge between them and the banking community so they can obtain business loans. Seck had no contacts in the banking industry as he was starting out, so it required a lot of cold calls and a lot of research and attending conferences to convince people that his company could be trusted. One bank got on board in 2022, and now Fluid Finance works with nine financial institutions in Ghana and about 6,000 farmers.

The company and its success is driven, in part, by Seck's time at 91亚色.

Seck was born in Canada and split his childhood between Senegal, his parents鈥� birthplace, and Canada, where his father taught finance at the University of Windsor. As he enrolled at 91亚色, Seck had a firm goal. 鈥淔or me, it was all about studying something that would help me be an asset to the African continent,鈥� he says.

Initially, that ambition took Seck on a different path than where he has ended up today. 鈥淚n Senegal, there used to be a lot of power outages, so I thought an electrical engineering degree would help me fix that problem,鈥� he says. Seck did pursue opportunities in that direction, like an internship at Hydro One and jobs with a startup venture and a technology company. That is, until an experience with a lender that helped e-commerce businesses get started got the wheels in his brain spinning with ideas.

鈥淚 see everything through the lens of creating opportunities in Africa,鈥� he says. He saw value in how he might be able to help business in Africa get off the ground or achieve greater profitability. 鈥淪o, I transitioned to finance and learned on the job.鈥�

Now four years into existence, Fluid Finance Technologies assists banks with collecting and digitizing the information about farming they need to make decisions about providing loans to individual farmers. The company also brings in agronomy experts to teach farmers about appropriate fertilizers and new harvest methods and how to troubleshoot problems. In addition, Fluid has worked to ensure that farmers have fair and available markets for their crops. 

The result? Banks understand the needs of the local farmers and a willingness to work with them means new banking customers. Meanwhile, farmers get the financial, marketing and agricultural assistance they need to succeed and earn a living wage.     

Looking ahead, Seck hopes to expand the business to other African countries in the Global South. He is also thinking about how to provide farmers with markets on a global scale and trying to be proactive about climate change, 鈥済iving farmers access to resources ahead of time so they can withstand shocks.鈥�

For Seck, it鈥檚 all about advancing a singular passion, one readily found on his LinkedIn page like a motto: 鈥淐reating opportunities for people in the Global South is my calling.鈥�

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