SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

Wilfrid Laurier University not only prepares our students for careers in a rapidly changing world, but also plays a role in driving innovation in our local communities and beyond. Through our partnership programs and research, Laurier is making meaningful contributions to achieving SDG 9.

Highlights of Progress

The work that Laurier completed in 2023 to advance SDG 9.

Inspired Industry Partnerships report

Industry partnerships are a critical ingredient of Laurier academic excellence. Through philanthropy, mentorship, research and co-operative education, Laurier fosters mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and success.

Balsillie School receives $5M donation to fund new Technology Governance Initiative

Laurier is grateful to Jim Balsillie for his incredible act of generosity and support through a $5M donation to fund a new technology governance initiative at the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA).

Enactus Laurier student team earns top-four finish at Enactus World Cup

Laurier's Enactus team claimed a top-four finish at the 2023 Enactus World Cup in the Netherlands on Oct. 20 alongside Enactus teams from Australia, Tunisia and Egypt. The top-four finish affirms Enactus Laurier’s reputation as a leader in purpose-driven innovation and entrepreneurship.

Research Centres

Laurier research centres advancing SDG 9.

Centre for Supply Chain Management

The Centre for Supply Chain Management (CSCM) facilitates research in supply chain management. Affiliated with the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, the CSCM maintains regular communication between researchers, practitioners and strategic decision-makers in supply chain management. By establishing open communication through seminars, conferences and roundtables, relevant topics are analyzed and research findings are disseminated to stakeholders in a timely fashion.

Co-operators Centre for Business and Sustainability

The Co-operators Centre for Business and Sustainability facilitates and coordinates research related to business and environmental sustainability. The centre ensures regular communication between researchers and practitioners, including strategic decision-makers in the local sustainability community. Located in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Laurier, the centre hosts seminars, conferences and roundtables to discuss relevant topics aligned with practitioner needs and assists in disseminating research findings in a timely fashion to those who can use them.

Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises

The Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises was created to support growth-oriented Canadian technology companies. The Lazaridis Institute empowers current and emerging technology firms to scale rapidly into globally competitive enterprises through:

  • A unique program for C-level executives that identifies the very best Canadian tech firms who are ready to scale and brings them together through personalized mentorship with experts who have ‘been there and done that’ when it comes to growing a company.
  • Insightful research that looks to develop new knowledge about innovation, management and disruption as it relates to tech companies.
  • Programs creating a direct link between cutting-edge, international research; the best, proven practices in global scaling; and curriculum to empower future Lazaridis School graduates with the knowledge they need to make a difference in emerging companies.

Initiatives

Laurier initiatives in 2023 that advanced SDG 9.

Commercialization Framework

As outlined in its Commercialization Framework, Laurier is committed to maximizing the benefits of research undertaken at Laurier for the benefit of the citizens of Ontario and its economy. We seek to create an ecosystem that drives innovation to strengthen human health and well-being, the economy, communities and the planet. We are committed to the management and protection of intellectual property generated by our researchers to maximize commercial opportunities and benefits to society. Our commitment is reinforced in our Research Strategy where knowledge dissemination, research excellence, partnerships and future-readiness are woven throughout. 

Inspired Industry Partnerships report

Industry partnerships are a critical ingredient of Laurier's academic excellence. Through philanthropy, mentorship, research and co-operative education, Laurier fosters mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and success.

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companies supported by the Lazaridis Scaleup program since 2016
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to fund a new technology governance initiative at the Balsillie School of International Affairs
times Laurier's Enactus team has represented Canada at the Enactus World Cup

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