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Applied Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Centennial
Innovates

Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Centennial is one of Canada’s top colleges for research and innovation. Leading these activities is Centennial Innovates, the college’s Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship department. We work daily to grow Centennial’s capacity for innovation through applied research, engagements with industry, internally funded innovation initiatives and impact entrepreneurship. Our dedicated students, faculty, staff and industry partners support projects that change lives and transform communities.

About Us
Latest News and Blog

In Canada for paid student internships since 2021

Industry and community partnerships in 2023-24

Total hours of student research (2023-24)

Innovation areas

Sustainable Innovation for a Better World

We are committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the past three years, the Centennial Innovates team has mapped each of our innovation projects and activities to the SDG framework. Read more about it in our Annual Reports!

Work With Us

Our Innovation Areas

We engage students, faculty, staff, industry partners, community organizations, sector associations and innovation consortia in 8 diverse innovation areas:

• Aerospace
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Healthcare Technologies
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Social Innovation
• Sustainable Energy Systems
• Transportation

Explore Our Innovation Areas

Centennial Research Academy

Our new Centennial Research Academy is an online repository of training modules for Centennial staff, faculty and students to assist in the development of research expertise as well as provide training on policies and procedures in research and innovation employment at Centennial College.

Learn More

Our Annual Report

Read the "Centennial Innovates" Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Annual Report 2023-24.

How to Get Involved
Get Involved
Research Ethics Board
View Board
Centennial Research FAQs
View FAQs

Centennial Innovates Grant Program
View the CIGP
Policies and Procedures
View Policies and Procedures

Centennial College
Research Board
View Research Board
Scholarship of
Teaching and Learning
View Scholarship
Story Arts
Research Lab
View Research Lab

Centennial Innovates News and Blog

View All Blog Posts

newsFebruary 11, 2025Technology for Food Justice: Centennial College awarded funding to develop application for local food bank users and operators
blogDecember 17, 2024Centennial College works with De Havilland Canada and Canadore College to optimize aircraft emergency exit latch design using additive manufacturing
blogMay 29, 2024Centennial Innovates 2024 Symposium engaged over 200 innovators in a full day of celebrating applied research, innovation and entrepreneurship

Our students are not only leaders, but a community of global leaders that drive innovation, lead social change, and make a positive impact in their communities and industries. This is what makes our college and graduates stand out.

Staff MemberCentennial College

An image of Felipe Rodriguez-Fonseca, a Community Development Work student

My experience working with the Social Innovation Research Centre (SIRC) has been invaluable for my development as a final-semester student in the field of Community Development Work. Through this opportunity, I have been able to significantly strengthen and improve my research skills. In particular, I’ve had the chance to delve into various topics such as working with Individuals with IDD and the use of AI to improve their accessibility to technology, supporting vulnerable populations in emergencies, and addressing socio-economic challenges like food security among others....

Felipe Rodriguez-FonsecaCommunity Development Work

An image of Ahmed Sikiru, a COIE Global Goals Jam Canada Fall 2023 Participant

Stumbling upon the Global Goals Jam Canada at the student resource center on the MyCentennial website was a revelation. These three days have been a rollercoaster of learning and collaboration. The experience of working with unfamiliar faces was enriching. It was an emotional journey, a testament to the power of unity in diversity. The Jam has left an unforgettable imprint on me, fueling my anticipation for more such events: where minds meet and ideas ignite to make the world a better place....

Ahmed SikiruCOIE Global Goals Jam Canada Fall 2023 Participant

Working closely with the Centre for Explainable Data Analytics (CEDA) has been an invaluable partnership for our company. Their expertise in AI development has significantly accelerated our progress in addressing our business challenges, particularly those related to technology. Through their collaboration, we’ve been able to leverage cutting-edge AI techniques to develop our predictive fermentation data model, a critical component of our business strategy. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have consistently exceeded our expectations, resulting in tangible benefits for our company. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and achieving even greater milestones together....

Subhi AlsayedFounder and CEO, Kulture Rebellion

An image of Dr. Glen Lowry, an Associate Vice President, Applied Research, Hyflex Learning and Academic Partnerships

Innovation and entrepreneurship here are commercial products, refined processes, industry collaborations, and meaningful social engagements. They are strident examples and subtle shifts of thinking that provide needed skills and insights. They are new career paths and bright futures. Centennial Innovates!...

Dr. Glen LowryAssociate Vice President, Applied Research, Hyflex Learning and Academic Partnerships

An image of Walit Zagur, a Global Business Management Student

Today, I had my first experience with the Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (COIE)’s VR Lab, and it was truly amazing because this is my first experience with that kind of technology. What I like most about it, is to feel like you are really in the real environment of, like a big conference room, and then giving a speech in front of many people. We all know that we’re not perfect when it comes to public speaking, so we need to develop further. This technology helps a lot with confidence and your ability to speak. It also allows you to learn from the mistakes that you have made. So it’s really, like, an amazing experience for me. Thank you....

Walit ZagurGlobal Business Management Student

An image of Dr. Siyam Subair, a SETAS professor and ARIF participant since 2018

As a faculty teaching mainly research-based curriculum and capstone projects, the Applied Research and Innovation Fellowship (ARIF) means a lot to me. It provides the flexibility to put the principal investigator in the driving seat, giving us the opportunity to modify and innovate the projects rather than meet the demands of industry partners or external stakeholders. Another application of the ARIF-funded projects is the implementation of the new knowledge/product directly in the curriculum for capstone courses. ARIF also helps to bring the untapped skills of talented student researchers in research and development, which helps them grow in their careers. I am very proud to see the career success of many of my student researchers....

Dr. Siyam SubairSETAS professor and ARIF participant since 2018

An image of Ben Sainsbury, Founder of Marion Surgical

The partnership with WIMTACH is marked by a multidisciplinary approach, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to translating innovative ideas into commercial successes. Active engagement with Centennial College ensures a dynamic exchange of knowledge for mutual success in applied research. The research project with WIMTACH is expected to significantly contribute to AAVAA’s wearables development. By tapping into WIMTACH’s expertise and collaboration with Centennial College, AAVAA aims to enhance its sensor technology, providing valuable insights for hands-free, touch-free operation. The project results are expected to have a lasting impact on AAVAA’s development. Based on the positive experience, AAVAA would strongly recommend WIMTACH to other companies and startups seeking expertise, technology solutions, and a collaborative environment for innovation and success....

Ben SainsburyFounder, Marion Surgical

An image of Sam Sporich, a Graphic Design student

Centennial Innovates was a huge help in both my education and career. It gave me the chance to apply the skills I was learning in class to real world problems with real stakeholders. I’m in graphic design, and while the program is great, there are some things that you can only learn by doing the real thing. Time management, communication, and teamwork all carry more weight when the project you’re doing is going out into the real world. The work I did was also incredibly helpful in my resumé and portfolio. I’m very grateful to have had the chance to work with Centennial Innovates and Wenzi. It was a joy and one of the highlights of my education at the college....

Sam SporichGraphic Design student

An image of Damian Goulbourne, the Dean, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (SHTCA)

I’m immensely proud of the transformative work spearheaded by our Centennial Innovates team, aligning seamlessly with the organizational culture of the School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts. Their commitment to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship reflects our core values. By addressing real-life issues and advocating for marginalized communities, they exemplify our dedication to social responsibility and inclusivity. Mapping activities to the UN Sustainable Development Goals underscores our holistic approach towards sustainability. Moreover, their focus on real-world solutions through applied research not only benefits Tourism sector partners but also enriches our students’ learning experiences, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape....

Damian GoulbourneDean, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (SHTCA)

Our students are not only leaders, but a community of global leaders that drive innovation, lead social change, and make a positive impact in their communities and industries. This is what makes our college and graduates stand out.

Staff MemberCentennial College

My experience working with the Social Innovation Research Centre (SIRC) has been invaluable for my development as a final-semester student in the field of Community Development Work. Through this opportunity, I have been able to significantly strengthen and improve my research skills. In particular, I’ve had the chance to delve into various topics such as working with Individuals with IDD and the use of AI to improve their accessibility to technology, supporting vulnerable populations in emergencies, and addressing socio-economic challenges like food security among others....

Felipe Rodriguez-FonsecaCommunity Development Work

Stumbling upon the Global Goals Jam Canada at the student resource center on the MyCentennial website was a revelation. These three days have been a rollercoaster of learning and collaboration. The experience of working with unfamiliar faces was enriching. It was an emotional journey, a testament to the power of unity in diversity. The Jam has left an unforgettable imprint on me, fueling my anticipation for more such events: where minds meet and ideas ignite to make the world a better place....

Ahmed SikiruCOIE Global Goals Jam Canada Fall 2023 Participant

Working closely with the Centre for Explainable Data Analytics (CEDA) has been an invaluable partnership for our company. Their expertise in AI development has significantly accelerated our progress in addressing our business challenges, particularly those related to technology. Through their collaboration, we’ve been able to leverage cutting-edge AI techniques to develop our predictive fermentation data model, a critical component of our business strategy. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have consistently exceeded our expectations, resulting in tangible benefits for our company. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and achieving even greater milestones together....

Subhi AlsayedFounder and CEO, Kulture Rebellion

Innovation and entrepreneurship here are commercial products, refined processes, industry collaborations, and meaningful social engagements. They are strident examples and subtle shifts of thinking that provide needed skills and insights. They are new career paths and bright futures. Centennial Innovates!...

Dr. Glen LowryAssociate Vice President, Applied Research, Hyflex Learning and Academic Partnerships

Today, I had my first experience with the Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (COIE)’s VR Lab, and it was truly amazing because this is my first experience with that kind of technology. What I like most about it, is to feel like you are really in the real environment of, like a big conference room, and then giving a speech in front of many people. We all know that we’re not perfect when it comes to public speaking, so we need to develop further. This technology helps a lot with confidence and your ability to speak. It also allows you to learn from the mistakes that you have made. So it’s really, like, an amazing experience for me. Thank you....

Walit ZagurGlobal Business Management Student

As a faculty teaching mainly research-based curriculum and capstone projects, the Applied Research and Innovation Fellowship (ARIF) means a lot to me. It provides the flexibility to put the principal investigator in the driving seat, giving us the opportunity to modify and innovate the projects rather than meet the demands of industry partners or external stakeholders. Another application of the ARIF-funded projects is the implementation of the new knowledge/product directly in the curriculum for capstone courses. ARIF also helps to bring the untapped skills of talented student researchers in research and development, which helps them grow in their careers. I am very proud to see the career success of many of my student researchers....

Dr. Siyam SubairSETAS professor and ARIF participant since 2018

The partnership with WIMTACH is marked by a multidisciplinary approach, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to translating innovative ideas into commercial successes. Active engagement with Centennial College ensures a dynamic exchange of knowledge for mutual success in applied research. The research project with WIMTACH is expected to significantly contribute to AAVAA’s wearables development. By tapping into WIMTACH’s expertise and collaboration with Centennial College, AAVAA aims to enhance its sensor technology, providing valuable insights for hands-free, touch-free operation. The project results are expected to have a lasting impact on AAVAA’s development. Based on the positive experience, AAVAA would strongly recommend WIMTACH to other companies and startups seeking expertise, technology solutions, and a collaborative environment for innovation and success....

Ben SainsburyFounder, Marion Surgical

Centennial Innovates was a huge help in both my education and career. It gave me the chance to apply the skills I was learning in class to real world problems with real stakeholders. I’m in graphic design, and while the program is great, there are some things that you can only learn by doing the real thing. Time management, communication, and teamwork all carry more weight when the project you’re doing is going out into the real world. The work I did was also incredibly helpful in my resumé and portfolio. I’m very grateful to have had the chance to work with Centennial Innovates and Wenzi. It was a joy and one of the highlights of my education at the college....

Sam SporichGraphic Design student

I’m immensely proud of the transformative work spearheaded by our Centennial Innovates team, aligning seamlessly with the organizational culture of the School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts. Their commitment to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship reflects our core values. By addressing real-life issues and advocating for marginalized communities, they exemplify our dedication to social responsibility and inclusivity. Mapping activities to the UN Sustainable Development Goals underscores our holistic approach towards sustainability. Moreover, their focus on real-world solutions through applied research not only benefits Tourism sector partners but also enriches our students’ learning experiences, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape....

Damian GoulbourneDean, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (SHTCA)

Our students are not only leaders, but a community of global leaders that drive innovation, lead social change, and make a positive impact in their communities and industries. This is what makes our college and graduates stand out.

Staff MemberCentennial College

Centennial
Innovates

Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Sustainable Innovation for a Better World

Our Innovation Areas

Centennial Research Academy

Our Annual Report

Innovation at Centennial

How to Get Involved

Research Ethics Board

Centennial Research FAQs

Centennial Innovates Grant Program

Policies and Procedures

Centennial College
Research Board

Scholarship of
Teaching and Learning

Story Arts
Research Lab

Centennial Innovates News and Blog

Our Land Acknowledgement

CentennialInnovates

Centennial
Innovates