Building Talent Pathways for Canada’s transition to the Net-Zero Economy

What is the QVENT Project?

In partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada, the Queen’s Venture Creation, Experiential Learning & Net-Zero Training (QVENT) project is a cross-institutional initiative, led by the Experiential Learning Team within the Smith School of Business. 

The purpose of the QVENT project is to prepare undergraduate students across Queen’s University as responsible leaders equipped with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to meaningfully tackle the root causes and challenges related to Canada’s transition towards a net zero economy.  

 

Our Commitment to Net-Zero

Achieving net-zero targets is a major priority for Queen’s University, with plans to meet its net-zero goals by 2040. In the most recent 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, Queen's University was ranked 3rd globally and 1st in Canada out of 1700 participating Universities in 117 countries. Developing future corporate, community and academic leaders in net-zero is also a priority for Queen’s University.

The QVENT project supports these student-facing sustainability goals by providing exposure to hands-on partner collaborations and learning, building net-zero businesses, as well as gaining knowledge through leading practitioners in the space. 

View the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking

QVENT Project Overview


This project includes four distinct program streams, each providing an innovative WIL experience that supports the development of a student green talent pipeline. Participation by industry and community partners in the many project streams will be integral to the student learning experience.


QVENT Project streams:

  • Stream 1: Course-Embedded Green Industry Projects
  • Stream 2: Certificate in Leadership Towards Net-Zero
  • Stream 3: Net-Zero Venture Creation
  • Stream 4: Net-Zero Focused Internships

Stream 1: Course-Embedded Green Industry Projects

Through their undergraduate courses, students will gain hands on experience solving challenges, completing cases and developing prototypes for industry and community partners with support of faculty members.

Learn more about green industry projects

Stream 2: Certificate in Leadership Towards Net-Zero

Led by the Smith Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Social Impact, this certificate is designed by faculty and industry practitioners to provide students with the awareness, capabilities, and confidence to tackle issues related to Canada’s transition towards a net-zero economy.

To earn this certificate students will participate in immersive workshops and will have the option to specialize in either the venture creation or industry-focused stream.

Learn more about the Certificate

Stream 3: Net-Zero Venture Creation

Through partnership with a net-zero focused incubator program, students will have the opportunity to build businesses focused on tackling issues related to environmental sustainability and the circular economy. Students will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses at the end of the program for seed funding.

Contact us

Stream 4: Net-Zero Focused Internships

Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by completing an internship experience in a role focused on supporting environmental or sustainability efforts.

Provide a net-zero internship

How to get involved in the QVENT project

We invite community and corporate partners, as well as industry practitioners to get involved in any number of the project streams. A few ways to become involved include:

Offer a course-embedded green industry project

Let students develop recommendations, proof of concepts, prototypes or solve cases for your organization’s net-zero related needs. This is a great opportunity to identify talent and build your organization’s capacity.

Hire a Net-Zero student intern

Hire a student intern to work with your organization and tackle net-zero related challenges. This is a great opportunity to identify talent and support student learning experiences.

Design and deliver a workshop

Apply to teach or co-deliver a workshop with Queen’s faculty members through the Net-Zero Certificate. This is a great way to build your brand and gain exposure into Queen’s net-zero ecosystem. 

QVENT Project Partners & Collaborators

Project Partners and core collaborators on the QVENT project include Queen's University faculties and Centre's, government organizations, as well as industry and community partners.

Get in touch

Whether you are a student wanting to learn more about the certificate or venture stream, an industry partner keen to support a project or internship, or topic area expert wishing to teach a workshop, contact us to learn more about the QVENT Project and all the ways to get involved.

 

Contact us