Innovation is born from a spark
A sudden change, an instantaneous disruption that often happens when least expected. Bang. That spark lights up a mixing, swirling cloud of ideas and catalyzes them into something different, something unexpected, something that reimagines, reveals and rebuilds.
That spark is lit by innovative minds.
And we train those minds, right here at MRU.
For more than a century, Mount Royal University students have been shaping the society we live in. Whether they’re growing nutrient-rich vegetables in indoor, vertical farms or designing confidence-building clothing from sustainable fabrics, Mount Royal University graduates across all disciplines are learning to develop innovative mindsets to propel them into their future careers.
Innovative people, spaces, programs, mindsets.
Carille Mendoza
Meet Carille Mendoza, who propelled her career forward by combining the inspiration provided through Mount Royal’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the support of her profs in the computer information systems program.
Innovative spaces
The tools and the foundation for innovative minds to grow
- CN Supply Chain Analytics Lab
Technology allows students access to the inner-workings of companies in real time - Centre for Psychological Innovation
The “Psych Lab” collides psychology and technology to discover the human condition - Trico Changemakers Studio
A social innovation, collaboration and learning space converging campus and community - Community Podcast Initiative
This podcasting studio uses advanced audio storytelling techniques to amplify underrepresented voices - Child Development Lab
A vibrant space for conversation, observation, practice, reflection, growth and development
- Institute for Community Prosperity
Cultivating new ideas and approaches to foster generations of social impact leaders allowing human potential to flourish - Institute for Environmental Sustainability
Acting as a facilitator and catalyst promoting collaborative multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work in environmental sustainability - Miistakis Research Institute
Specializing in evaluating complex environmental problems, providing functional resources and supporting community-based science - Centre for Community Disaster Research
A trans-disciplinary centre for research and outreach to plan and prepare for natural, social, technological and economic disasters
Logan Grasby
Meet Logan Grasby, who attributes the human connections he made at Mount Royal plus the skills and confidence gained through the LaunchPad program for convincing him he had what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Innovative programs
Innovation drives learning everywhere at MRU
- Growth Catalyst
A pilot initiative to help small Alberta businesses scale up through continued growth episodes - Bounceback YYC
A hackathon on accelerating the restart, recovery and return of the experience economy - High-impact Talent Roundtable
Teams up with city business leaders to foster the right employees for Calgary's future
- Social Entrepreneurship Sprint
Mount Royal students spend their summer creating social enterprises tackling local problems - ActiveCITY Collective
Building Canada’s most liveable region by leveraging Calgary’s natural competitive advantages - JMH LaunchPad
Mount Royal’s ultimate Dragons’ Den-style pitch competition launches ideas into real businesses
- Catamount Fellowship
A cohort-based learning experience committed to building a more just and sustainable future - Alberta Inclusive Innovation Initiative
This series of no-cost workshops provides nuts and bolts training for new entrepreneurs - Changemaking — Ashoka U
As an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus MRU inspires and empowers meaningful change
Ben Pearman
Meet Ben Pearman, who says the tools provided at the Riddell Library and Learning Centre’s Maker Studio and the experiential opportunities offered through his education were instrumental in helping him set up his business.
Innovative learning
Practical education led by professors who have been there
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor or concentration
Offering courses that jump start students’ creativity towards developing entrepreneurial skills and an innovative mindset - Social Innovation concentration or minor
Providing students with a clear practice to lead, design and execute high-impact transformative change in our communities - International education
Fostering learning without borders to develop culturally knowledgeable and internationally sensitive global citizens - Vivacity
A civic innovation course exploring problems facing Calgary and creating experiments/prototypes as potential solutions
- Research opportunities
Student research is foundational, with numerous research assistant roles available and showcase opportunities during Research and Scholarship Days - Capstone projects
Experiential learning applying the culmination of students’ education into a resumé-worthy final project for a strong transition into their profession - Honours projects
Honours students engage in high-level immersive research and analysis, with one example from psychology tying sport and technology together - Humanly
Information design students use systems thinking, changemaking and human-centred design principles to address real-world problems
Priyash Bista
Meet Priyash Bista, who says networking with others in the social entrepreneurship community and a greater understanding of the foundation of innovation made him realize that businesses can make change for the better.