The inaugural Digital Innovation Summit, hosted by the McKenna Institute and the University of New Brunswick, saw big names in New Brunswick industry come together to talk digital transformation.

"If we want to maintain our momentum forward, it is necessary to involve all stakeholders in the conversation," says the Hon. Frank McKenna, founder of the institute. "To at once nurture an incoming workforce, reskill the existing and prioritise innovation in our industries, we must all be pulling in the same direction."

New Brunswick has made great strides towards the goal of a prosperous, technology enabled future, but the job is not done. The Digital Innovation Summit allowed those who have fully embraced technology-driven solutions into their business model, and those who are just beginning their journey, to share strategies, create partnerships and develop a deeper understanding of emerging technologies.

Summit partner EY demonstrated these opportunities at its Now, Next, Beyond showcase. The showcase covered topics such as process mining to uncover data that has never before been available to decision makers, the quantum computing revolution, and how businesses can leverage the metaverse.

"At EY, we pride ourselves in our ability to bring highly knowledgeable professionals together to understand and support our clients' unique needs by providing customized approaches - enabled by technology - that challenge the status quo to deliver innovation, transformation and long-term value," says Claude Francoeur, EY New Brunswick office managing partner.

While various sectors across New Brunswick have embraced the use of technology to increase productivity and expand their businesses, we still need to have our eyes on the horizon. How can we make sure that New Brunswick's talent pipeline and business leaders are ready to continue leveraging opportunities in emerging technology? Attendees of the summit rallied to this cause. The ideas shared over the past two days will set the province on target for a future proof economy where all can thrive.

"The University of New Brunswick is the epicentre of research and innovation in New Brunswick, and I have been delighted to co-host such important discussions to advance our province's future," says Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, president and vice-chancellor of UNB. "Gathering the province's leaders in innovation strengthens and reinforces our resolve to work purposefully and in partnership to drive economic growth and address many of the grand challenges we currently face across the community."

About the McKenna Institute

The McKenna Institute fuels economic growth and social progress by advancing the use of digital technologies in New Brunswick. The Institute collaborates to accelerate our talent pipeline, nurture ideas and enable all New Brunswick communities to thrive in a digital world.

Frank McKenna Invests $5-Million In New UNB Institute To Build Digital Economy

Derek MontagueFredericton, New Brunswick, News

UNB President Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle and TD Bank Deputy Chair Frank McKenna. Image: UNB Twitter.

FREDERICTON – Former premier Frank McKenna says it’s time to propel the province forward in the age of computer and digital technologies. He believes, with the right investment, New Brunswick won’t just catch up with other jurisdictions, it will become a global leader in the information era.

On Tuesday, McKenna put his money where his mouth is, investing $5-million to establish the McKenna Institute at the University of New Brunswick. The new institute will have the broad goal of engaging academia, government, and the private sector to advance New Brunswick’s digital economy. Adrienne O’Pray will be the first executive director for the institute.

“To use a hockey analogy, this is where the puck is headed. The whole world is going digital, and the digital workforce is expanding dramatically,” McKenna, who is deputy chair of wholesale banking for TD Bank Group, told Huddle in an interview.

“We’ve got a number of companies wanting to expand in New Brunswick or set up in New Brunswick and we need more workers.”

One of the goals of the new institute will be expanding the number of trained graduates coming out of UNB’s Computer Science department, as well as attracting more tech startups in the province.

“At the most basic level, we’ll be doubling the number of students coming out, tripling the number of graduate students coming out,” said McKenna.

“And we have, as an ambition, to create more companies, more unicorns…”

McKenna said he was inspired to donate the $5-million after hearing a pitch from UNB President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle. He was thrilled at their vision for New Brunswick.

“It’s a really ambitious effort to, not only close the gap that we may have with other jurisdictions but to become a world leader.”

“I’ve listened to a lot of pitches from a lot of people for money, and I found that to be one of the most inspiring because I’ve always felt that should be the role of a university.”

Mazerolle told Huddle the new funding will allow UNB to expand and innovate the university’s Computer Science department. He says there is a high demand from students who want to study computer technology in New Brunswick.

“We need to grow that faculty; we need to grow the student intake…we’ve had a tripling of demand from student applications for our master’s courses in computer science and cybersecurity,” said Mazerolle.

“It’s going to fund scholarships, it going to fund research chairs, but it’s also going to fund mobilization activities, events, summer camps for kids. So, a whole bunch of ideas are on the table.”

Mazerolle is also hoping that an increase in digital job opportunities will turn around New Brunswick’s age demographic problems.

“There’s no question that New Brunswick has challenges; it’s a small province, and the age demographics haven’t always helped,” he said.

“We want to be a place that’s attracting people back, attracting newcomers, but also be a place that’s attracting new ideas and new investments.”

McKenna believes that, despite New Brunswick, currently being behind in adding new technologies, it still has the infrastructure in place to become a global competitor and create thousands of new tech jobs in the process. He says someone just needs to “light a match” to start the bonfire.

“We’ve demonstrated during the pandemic that this is a great place to work remotely,” said McKenna. It’s a great place to live in terms of quality of life and costs of living.”

But the McKenna institute will need more money to accomplish its goals. The former Premier will now be leading a fundraising campaign, with the goal of reaching $50 million.