What to expect
Each event is co-developed with local input to reflect the unique strengths, challenges, and goals of the host community.
Activities
Activities at events may include:
Roundtable conversations with community leaders and »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ representatives to learn about the opportunities and challenges that the community is facing. We rely on community leaders to identify people and organizations to join a round table conversation. We welcome suggestions from attendees for additional participants. Ìý
Networking sessions for alumni and friends, people who are interested in learning more about the work Dal is doing and how Dal shows up in their community. Ìý
Public talks, lectures and demos featuring »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ researchers and graduate students. Past topics have included: community preservation of the Atlantic Whitefish, green energy and wind turbines, tracking and counting fish in the sea and more.
Opportunities for student engagement, including info sessions with »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥â€™s recruitment team and networking with alumni. Parents and guardians are also welcome.
Interactive learning experiences for students of all ages in schools or with community groups including computer science coding demos, guest lectures on topics like social work or oceanography, hands-on science experiments, phys-ed classes with varsity athletes and more.
Tours and visits to local businesses, organizations, and innovation spaces.
Where we've been
Our journey began in Bridgewater in December 2024. More visits are on the way as we work together to build a stronger, more vibrant Nova Scotia.
Expanded mental health services: Dr. Shannon Johnson and Dr. Alissa Pencer, Directors of the Centre for Psychological Health, met with not-for-profit leaders to learn more about mental health services in Bridgewater and surrounding areas. Specifically, how various community agencies work together. Shannon and Alissa shared the Centre’s mandate and service delivery model.Ìý
Outcome: Out of this meeting, a new partnership with YMCA Youth Services will enable Dal’s Centre to provide psychological assessments for youth in Bridgewater, addressing the lengthy waitlist and expanding the Centre’s services outside of Halifax for the first time.Ìý
West Hants Municipal Planning WorkshopÌý– West Hants Municipal planners, the Director of Community Development, Energize Bridgewater lead, and Municipal HWA technicians met with members from »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥â€™s School of Planning.Ìý
Outcome: This brainstorm session focused on community issues and resulted in actionable items to further explore for collaboration opportunities, including plans to provide research to support decision making, and work on course-based projects, co-op opportunities, and grant opportunities..
Community Roundtable on the Future of Fisheries:ÌýMayor Pam Moodie and President Kim Brooks co-hosted a focused discussion with »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ researchers and senior leaders to explore how post-secondary institutions can better support the fisheries sector. Participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration, a socioeconomic study to highlight the industry's value, and easier access to »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ researchers.
Outcome: New partnerships formed and a commitment to deeper collaboration. »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ will host a September meeting with the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance to discuss research and the potential for an annual industry symposium. Plans are underway for a »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥-hosted web portal to connect fishers with researchers and support applied research and data sharing.
Engineering Alumni & Donor Meetings: Dean John Newhook and Development Officer Alisha Johnson met with alumni, donors, and CBU faculty en route to Sydney to strengthen research ties.
Outcome: Secured a $50,000 scholarship for Cape Breton students entering Engineering and reinforced research collaboration between »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ and CBU.
Energize Our Communities: A Public Demo on Wind and Hydrogen PowerÌý- DrÌýMita Dasog, along with graduate students from the Faculty of Science, held a public demonstration onÌýhow wind turbines generate electricity and how hydrogen can be used as a clean fuel.Ìý
Outcome: Over 25 members from the community visited the session to speak with Mita and colleagues that accompanied her. They learned how wind turbines generate electricity and how hydrogen can be used as a clean fuel. There is an appetite from the community to have more of this knowledge shared. »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ will undertake developing a communications piece explaining this topic broadly that can be shared with community members.Ìý
Where we're going
Below are just some of the communities we will be traveling to next. We will be visiting communities from shore to shore over the next few years.
Ìý
