Engineering Research Office
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is home to excellent researchers residing in the departments of civil, electrical and computer, mechanical and mechatronics, ocean and naval architectural and process engineering.
Through strong partnerships with industry and government, the faculty continues excelling in research and innovation in the areas of energy, ocean technology, information and communication technology, environment and sustainable infrastructure and other emerging areas of importance.
Our researchers have advanced in various areas and continue contributing to the wellness of people, the Newfoundland and Labrador economy and Canada’s Blue Economy.
Collaborations with our partners have led to more opportunities to address challenging issues faced by national and international communities.
Industry Engagement Day 2024
On June 27th, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS) in collaboration with the Faculty of Science hosted its third annual Industry Engagement Day at the St. John’s Convention Centre. The event drew a crowd of 120 attendees, including industry professionals, academic experts, and students, all gathered to foster collaboration and innovation.
The day began with a welcome address by Dr. Octavia Dobre, Interim Dean of FEAS. She provided an overview of the faculty's achievements and strategic research themes, which include Clean and Renewable Energy, Cold and Harsh Environment Research, Information and Communication Technologies, and Environment and Sustainable Infrastructure. Dr. Dobre highlighted the faculty’s extensive facilities and research centers, emphasizing the ongoing construction of the Harsh Environment Research Facility.
The event featured several plenary sessions and breakout discussions. Notable plenary speakers included representatives from Boeing, IBM, NRC, Exxon, and Vale. Boeing's presentation was particularly highlighted, focusing on their latest advancements in aerospace engineering and the implications for future research and industry collaboration.
IBM's talk delved into the future of quantum computing, emphasizing its transformative potential and the importance of Memorial University being "quantum ready." IBM highlighted how quantum computing could revolutionize fields such as nature simulation, machine learning, and optimization problems, showcasing their public development and innovation roadmap.
Interactive breakout sessions allowed participants to discuss specific topics and explore synergies between academia and industry. The breakout sessions were led by companies such as Altomaxx, Davie, C-Core, Vard Marine, Transforming Climate Action, Solace Power, Angler Solutions, Avalon Holographics, ABS Canada, Aker Solutions, and Virtual Marine. These sessions covered themes like AI, marine technologies, and innovative power solutions.
The Industry Engagement Day concluded with a strong emphasis on the importance of networking and continuous collaboration between industry and academia. The connections made during the event are expected to lead to ongoing partnerships and advancements in various fields of engineering and applied sciences.
The exit survey revealed that 91% of respondents were satisfied with the event, 86% felt that the event was directly helpful in forming industry-academic partnerships, and 95% said they would likely attend again.
With the momentum generated by this 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.