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 RankingQVENT 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 projectsStream 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 CertificateStream 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 usStream 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 internshipQVENT 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.