Smart Create Workshop
The SMART CREATE Program offers new, immersive workshops that expose students to the breadth of interdisciplinary topics involved in creating smart rehabilitation technologies.
The workshops occur on an annual basis and are mandatory component of the CREATE program. Students will work in an interdisciplinary cohort to learn cooperative team skills and are engaged as workshop assistants in subsequent years. Each workshop including debrief sessions for students to share their experiences, provide feedback and revise their personal learning plans based on what they learned during the week.
Get Ready for the Next Round of the NSERC SMART CREATE Entrepreneurship Workshop!
Are you interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creating real-world impact? Join us for the upcoming Winter 2026 NSERC SMART CREATE Entrepreneurship Workshop!
Date: 10 Friday afternoons, Jan 23 to Apr 10, 2026
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (MT)
Location: ECHA 2-140 (University of Alberta, North Campus) and Online via Zoom (for participants outside Edmonton)
We are excited to announce that this upcoming round of the CREATE Entrepreneurship Workshop will be offered as an iSMART Micro-Credential Course under the University of Alberta’s Continuing Education (CE) platform. Participants who successfully complete the 10-day workshop will receive a digital badge recognizing their achievement!
This unique workshop is designed primarily for graduate students and early-career professionals interested in entrepreneurship and startup ventures. Last year, participants from across Campus Alberta joined virtually, and many attended the Pitch Presentation Day in person, thanks to the support of A-MEDICO.
The registration fee for the entire workshop series is $75 for students. Thanks to several sponsorships, we are able to offer student scholarships to cover this fee through a simple application process. Industry partners and community organizations are also welcome to participate at an industry rate of $810. For more information, please email the NSERC SMART CREATE Program Coordinator at the University of Alberta.
Google Form Application for Student Scholarship to Cover Registration Fees
Pitching for Impact: Alberta’s Brightest Minds Tackle Healthcare Innovation!
Earlier this year, the NSERC SMART CREATE Pitch Presentation Day marked an inspiring finale to our 4th round of the Entrepreneurship Workshops. Students from the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, Red Deer Polytechnic, and NAIT pitched innovative healthcare solutions demonstrating the creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit that define this program.
What’s Next?
We can’t wait to see what new ideas and collaborations emerge in Winter 2026! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can be part of the next wave of innovation and entrepreneurship in Alberta.
For registration, please email Mahdieh Khoshniat, the NSERC SMART CREATE Program Coordinator at the University of Alberta (khoshnia@ualberta.ca).
Entrepreneurship Workshops
Guided by industry leaders, our Entrepreneurship Workshops are industry-informed and expose trainees to the essential knowledge and skills necessary for career success. Topics include economics, policy, consumer behavior, pitching technology ideas and translating devices to the market.
These workshops are offered annually, providing ongoing opportunities for trainees to engage with real-world entrepreneurial concepts and practices.
For a sample of our content, please see the uploaded webinars available on YouTube.
Knowledge Workshops
Our Knowledge Workshops are led by expert researchers in areas related to rehabilitation technology and blend interactive lectures and demonstrations. Students will be exposed to the breadth of knowledge and interdisciplinary integration required to successfully apply rehabilitation technology, and to stimulate interest for students in additional independent learning projects or in seeking collaborators to augment their current projects.
These workshops are offered annually to ensure students build a strong foundation in key areas that support their academic and professional development.
Skills Workshops
Our Skills Workshops provide students with hands-on projects in lab spaces. Students are assigned to small groups and work collaboratively to plan and implement a project goal. The intent of the skills workshop is to understand the importance and role of each skill set in collaborative projects, and will be able to identify areas of skill development for their personal learning strategy and independent training plan.
These workshops are offered annually to ensure students build a strong foundation in key areas that support their academic and professional development.
Foundational Workshops
Our Foundational Workshops orient students to basic topics that will be revisited and applied throughout training experiences. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training will include exercises on incorporating EDI principles into projects, mentorship and outreach activities. Other foundational topics covered include ethics, interdisciplinary teamwork, leadership, organization change and science communication. Students will have the opportunity to share insights and reflections and to apply these principles to their own projects and personal learning goals.
These workshops are offered annually to ensure students build a strong foundation in key areas that support their academic and professional development.
