Wednesday, May 13
Registration sponsored by: Academica Group
Breakfast sponsored by: CEWIL Canada
Showcase shuttles will be provided at the Sheraton Gateway. Regardless of where you’re staying, all delegates are welcome!
Dr. Gina Antonacci, Senior Vice-President, Academic, Humber Polytechnic
Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President & CEO, Humber Polytechnic
Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO, Polytechnics Canada
A Challenger Mindset for Challenging Times
In a world of ever-increasing constraint, a problem-solver outlook can be the difference between being a victim of circumstance or meeting the moment to create something even better. Drawing on research and real-world examples from across sectors, Anne Marie will explore how stretch ambition, paired with constraint, can spark inventive and practical solutions to complex challenges. With experience spanning sectors from consumer goods and banking to hospitality and healthcare, Anne Marie brings a powerful perspective on navigating complexity and leading meaningful change. This keynote will offer a surprisingly simple roadmap that consistently delivers the mindset, method and motivation for developing solutions to what at first seem unsolvable challenges.
Following the keynote, Dr. Christine Watson, Vice-President, Academic at Red River College Polytechnic, will moderate a fireside chat on how polytechnics and their partners can apply a challenger mindset.
Speaker: Anne Marie Armstrong, Managing Director, eatbigfish
Moderator: Dr. Christine Watson, Vice-President, Academic, RRC Polytech
Sponsored by: CANARIE
Sponsored by: Mitacs
This morning’s break was thoughtfully prepared by the Culinary & Baking students here at Humber Polytechnic. This selection highlights both skill and creativity, featuring freshly made egg bites, wholesome muesli and warm, freshly baked croissants.
Each item has been crafted as part of the students’ hands-on learning experience, reflecting their dedication to quality, technique and presentation. We hope you enjoy sampling their work and experiencing the talent emerging from our programs.
Thank you for your support of student learning and innovation.
Supporting Students & Faculty in the Age of AI: A Playbook for Practical, Responsible Adoption
AI is reshaping learning, teaching and campus services. In this session, Seneca’s AI thought leaders share how they support students and faculty through practical, responsible adoption. The session will showcase outcomes from their collaborative AI Lab, highlighting faculty- and student-led projects that enhance the classroom and reimagine assessment strategies. This presentation will include a discussion about what’s next, including agentic AI, governance and change management.
Speakers:
Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos, AI Thought Leader
Kent Peel, AI Thought Leader
From Lab to Market: How Colleges & Polytechs are Solving Canada’s Innovation Paradox
Canada leads in world‑class research, but many businesses are slow to adopt and commercialize new technologies, leaving much potential untapped. Labs4 addresses this gap through a national network of 40 polytechnics, colleges and universities that support researcher‑entrepreneurs in turning academic breakthroughs into real‑world ventures, products and solutions. This session highlights how the Labs4 Network is advancing innovation across Canada and shares stories from the Technology Readiness Level Up program at the Manitoba Labs4 Hub, including perspectives from an Indigenous incubator leader working to accelerate Indigenous businesses across three incubators nationwide.
Speakers:
Amy Jackson, Director, Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah
Dr. Kristen Kindrachuk, Interim Director, Labs4
Tour of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Explore the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences labs and specialized learning spaces at Humber’s North Campus, where you will experience innovative, hands-on education in action. This guided tour showcases Humber’s state-of-the-art facilities, where students and faculty collaborate through applied, experiential learning. Featuring spaces that support programs in healthcare, wellness and community services, the tour reflects Humber’s strong commitment to workforce-ready education.
Prior sign-up is required. Tours are limited to 15 delegates.
Accelerating Canada’s Clean Energy Transition
The transition to clean energy is accelerating worldwide and the world urgently needs a skilled workforce to deliver it. As electricity demand rises, countries are looking at ways to rapidly transform and modernize their energy systems. At the forefront of this shift, Humber Polytechnic is building the talent and capacity to power a clean energy future through hands-on, industry-aligned education and applied research. This panel will showcase Humber’s leadership in clean energy workforce development, bringing together industry partners to explore how collaboration can accelerate Canada’s energy transition. The discussion will highlight how polytechnics are uniquely positioned to meet evolving workforce needs, drive innovation and support a more resilient, competitive and sustainable energy future.
Panelists:
George Christidis, President & CEO, Canadian Nuclear Association
Cynthia Domjancic, Senior Vice-President Human Resources & Chief Ethics Officer, Ontario Power Generation
Francis Syms, Head, School of Clean Energy & Associate Dean of Information & Communications Technology, Humber Polytechnic
Moderator: Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President & CEO, Humber Polytechnic
Sponsored by: Manulife
From Detection to Containment: Drones in Modern Wildfire Response
This session explores the expanding role of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in environmental stewardship, emergency response and community-driven research. Speakers will highlight a range of innovative RPAS applications, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaborations developed alongside First Nations. BCIT will share frontline experience using RPAS and infrared imaging to map active wildfires, offering an accessible introduction to wildfire behaviour and holistic strategies for proactive wildfire management. This session illustrates how RPAS technology is reshaping our ability to understand, monitor and respond to complex environmental challenges.
Speakers:
Justin Perry, Instructor, Forest & Natural Areas Management, School of Construction & the Environment
Dr. Eric Saczuk, Faculty & Director, BCIT RPAS Hub, School of Transportation
Workforce, Productivity & Innovation: George Brown’s AI-Enabled Master’s of Construction Management
Canada’s construction sector faces urgent workforce pressures and a growing need for productivity gains, digital capability and job-ready talent. As AI and data-enabled tools reshape project planning, cost control, scheduling, safety and quality, George Brown Polytechnic is strengthening Canada’s construction workforce by embedding AI into training, accelerating applied research with industry and creating clearer pathways from learning to employment.
This session will highlight how George Brown is integrating AI into its new Master of Construction Management program and broader polytechnic ecosystem — equipping current and emerging construction leaders with practical, in-demand skills and an innovation mindset. Speakers will discuss how industry partnerships inform curriculum and experiential learning, how applied research translates new technologies into workplace adoption and how these efforts can support federal priorities such as workforce development, productivity and innovation in the built environment.
Speakers:
Dr. Adel Esayed, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science, Construction & Engineering Technology
Miyoko Oikawa, Director, Training & Strategic Initiatives, Ontario Home Builders’ Association
Shehroze Saharan, Senior Manager, Institutional AI Strategy, Development & Support
Dr. Margrit Talpalaru, Director, Polytechnic Transformation
Tour of the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation
Discover a building purpose-built for innovation at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation. This guided tour will showcase advanced labs, collaborative learning spaces and industry-driven research environments where students turn ideas into real-world solutions. While navigating the 93,000 square-foot facility, discover how Barrett CTI has become a living lab for mechatronics, automation and advanced manufacturing. Home to the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Consortium – a group of nine leading industry partners – Barrett CTI is a hub where technology, industry and innovation intersect.
Prior sign-up is required. Tours are limited to 15 delegates.
Democratizing AI: Bringing Enterprise Technology to Main Street
Small businesses and community organizations stand to gain enormously from AI adoption, yet lack the resources and expertise to navigate this complex and rapidly evolving landscape. Algonquin’s AI Accelerator Hub, with support from AWS Canada, bridges this critical gap by providing accessible, expert AI adoption guidance to businesses and social sector organizations. This session will provide an overview of the Virtual Intelligence Business Enabler, a student-developed AI platform designed to serve this need. Discover how polytechnics can help democratize AI adoption, ensuring technological advancement strengthens entire communities.
Speakers:
Kevin Holmes, Senior Program Manager, Applied Research
Candi Jeronimo, Executive Engagement, Amazon Web Services Canada
Unlocking the Potential of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Canada’s vast geography and sparsely populated regions are increasingly viewed as safety and security weak spots. Remote communities experience food insecurity and poorer health outcomes than their urban neighbours. Resource management — in sectors like forestry, mining and agriculture — must increasingly consider efficiency and precision. Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), or drones, have answers for each of these challenges.
RPAS are rapidly reshaping how governments, industry and communities address complex challenges in remote and high-risk environments. At SAIT’s Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems, cutting-edge technology is meeting real-world needs.
This session will explore the growing role of remotely piloted systems in national defence, natural resource management, search and rescue, healthcare and beyond.
Speaker:
Wade Hawkins, Research Chair, Centre for Innovation & Research in Unmanned Systems
Tour of the Longo Faculty of Business
Discover the Longo Faculty of Business labs and specialized learning spaces at Humber’s North Campus and experience firsthand the innovative, hands‑on learning that defines Humber. This tour showcases state‑of‑the‑art facilities designed to reflect real‑world industry environments, supporting programs in culinary arts and hospitality. Discover how immersive learning spaces help students build practical skills and gain experience aligned with today’s workforce needs.
Prior sign-up is required. Tours are limited to 15 delegates.
Sponsored by: Mitacs
Strengthening Canada’s Defence Innovation
As Canada navigates an increasingly complex security and innovation landscape, strengthening collaboration between research, industry and defence has become a national priority. As a NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic test centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is advancing Canada’s contribution to allied defence innovation. Its Digital Integration Centre of Excellence activates specialized expertise in digital innovation, applied AI and machine learning supported by world-class research labs and advanced technical talent. This session explores how Saskatchewan Polytechnic is strengthening Canada’s role in defence innovation by contributing to the NATO alliance.
Speaker:
Dr. Terry Peckham, Director & Research Chair, Digital Integration Centre of Excellence
Redefining Experiential Education for Industry 4.0
In 2025, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada committed $2M over two years to establish the Toyota Smart Factory Learning Hub at Conestoga’s Cambridge campus. The state-of-the-art facility is a live, technology-rich learning environment that provides students with hands-on experience with Industry 4.0 systems in a setting that mirrors modern manufacturing operations.
This session will explore how this industry-education partnership is shaping curriculum to align with evolving workforce needs, strengthen job readiness and build a future talent pipeline, demonstrating how applied learning and innovation can support the long-term competitiveness of Canadian manufacturing.
Speakers:
Christine Burns, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Chris Maltby, Senior Manager, Manufacturing Systems, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
Dr. Marilyn Powers, Dean, Engineering & Technology and Computer Science & IT
Tour of the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation
Discover a building purpose-built for innovation at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation. This guided tour will showcase advanced labs, collaborative learning spaces and industry-driven research environments where students turn ideas into real-world solutions. While navigating the 93,000 square-foot facility, discover how Barrett CTI has become a living lab for mechatronics, automation and advanced manufacturing. Home to the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Consortium – a group of nine leading industry partners – Barrett CTI is a hub where technology, industry and innovation intersect.
Prior sign-up is required. Tours are limited to 15 delegates.
Sponsored by: Riipen
Thursday, May 14
Showcase breakfast will be provided at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel.
Showcase shuttles will be provided at the Sheraton Gateway. Regardless of where you’re staying, all delegates are welcome!
Peter Devlin, President, Fanshawe
Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President & CEO, Humber Polytechnic
Innovation in Education in Action: Canada’s First Post‑Secondary Military Co‑op
In 2025, Fanshawe, in partnership with 31 Canadian Brigade Group, created Canada’s first post-secondary military co-op program. This initiative integrates academic learning with practical Army Reserve experience, offering students paid employment, leadership development and hands-on training while gaining academic credit and supporting national defence priorities. The program is designed to strengthen Canadian Forces recruitment, enhance graduate career pathways and foster innovation by combining military skills with post-secondary education. Together, Fanshawe and 31 Brigade have established a groundbreaking model that enriches student success, supports community resilience and sets a national precedent for successful academic-military collaboration.
Speakers:
Darlene O’Neill, Lead Administrator, Military Connected Campus
Lieutenant-Colonel Carlo Tittarelli, Assistant Chief of Staff, 31 Canadian Brigade Group
Parity of Esteem Between Trades & Business: Building Pathways for Students
Discover how KPU is creating intra-institutional parity of esteem initiatives to build pathways for students between trades and undergraduate programs. This session highlights a credit recognition framework that enables trades students to leverage their training and experience toward undergraduate credentials, including in the Melville School of Business. This collaboration serves as a practical exploration of how vocational learning can be mapped to undergraduate outcomes, reduce barriers to post-secondary advancement, embrace KPU’s polytechnic programming and support lifelong learning through meeting institutional standards alongside labour market demands.
Speakers:
Dr. David Burns, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, pro tem
Laura McDonald, Dean, Trades & Technology
Tour of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Explore the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences labs and specialized learning spaces at Humber’s North Campus, where you will experience innovative, hands-on education in action. This guided tour showcases Humber’s state-of-the-art facilities, where students and faculty collaborate through applied, experiential learning. Featuring spaces that support programs in healthcare, wellness and community services, the tour reflects Humber’s strong commitment to workforce-ready education.
Prior sign-up is required. Tours are limited to 15 delegates.
Building Canada’s Future
Renewed investment in nation‑building infrastructure is reshaping Canada’s economy, strengthening resilience, securing domestic supply chains and supporting long‑term growth. The central challenge is execution: delivering projects at the speed and scale required to generate lasting economic value. An aging workforce and declining interest in the skilled trades have made access to skilled labour a critical constraint on competitiveness. As one of Canada’s largest skilled trades training providers, NAIT is expanding capacity and modernizing facilities, equipment and learning models through its Advanced Skills Centre to ensure Alberta has the skilled talent needed to build, maintain and operate the Canada of the future.
Speakers:
Patti Hergott, Associate Vice-President, Academic Quality & Operational Excellence
Peter Leclaire, Vice-President, Academic
Bridging the Productivity Gap: Scalable AI-Robotics Integration through Collaboration
To maintain global competitiveness, Canada’s manufacturing sector must prioritize advanced automation. This session highlights a collaboration between dry-type transformer manufacturer Rex Power Magnetics and Sheridan to automate transformer sheet stacking — a high-precision, labour-intensive process.
Speakers will analyze the development of an AI-driven, vision-guided robotic cell that optimizes sheet localization and operational consistency. This initiative demonstrates how polytechnic partnerships resolve industrial bottlenecks while immersing students in high-stakes engineering. By merging R&D with workforce development, this model delivers tailored technological solutions to industry while equipping the next generation of engineers with essential, job-ready expertise.
Speakers:
Dr. El Sayed Mahmoud, Professor of Applied Computing, Faculty of Applied Science & Technology
Madushen Paramanathan, Student Research Assistant, School of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Dr. Ethan Shen, Manager, Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing
Tour of the Longo Faculty of Business
Discover the Longo Faculty of Business labs and specialized learning spaces at Humber’s North Campus and experience firsthand the innovative, hands‑on learning that defines Humber. This tour showcases state‑of‑the‑art facilities designed to reflect real‑world industry environments, supporting programs in culinary arts and hospitality. Discover how immersive learning spaces help students build practical skills and gain experience aligned with today’s workforce needs.
Prior sign-up is required. Tours are limited to 15 delegates.
Sponsored by: ApprenticeSearch.com
Meeting the Moment: Pivoting to Opportunity
Canada’s post-secondary institutions are at an important crossroads as the sector goes through a fundamental restructuring that was neither planned nor executed with its long-term health in mind. Rather than getting stuck in reaction-mode, institutions need to band together to embrace a level of shared ambition that will energize government funders and galvanize private sector partners. In this session, one of Canada’s best known post-secondary observers will lay out his vision for a sector that learns from one another, imagines together and builds a compelling vision for the future of public post-secondary education.
Following the keynote, David Agnew, President of Seneca Polytechnic, will moderate a fireside chat focused on how polytechnics can move beyond reaction and work collectively to step into this pivotal moment.
Speaker: Alex Usher, President, Higher Education Strategy Associates
Moderator: David Agnew, President, Seneca Polytechnic
Sponsored by: eCampus Ontario
Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO, Polytechnics Canada
Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President, BCIT