Innovating Canada
Alexandre Poulain
Associate Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship,
uOttawa
With collaboration at the core of its research model, the University of Ottawa brings together industry, government, and researchers to drive innovation that strengthens Canada’s economy and sovereignty.
Known as one of Canada’s top five universities for research intensity and the world’s largest English-French university, the University of Ottawa is well positioned as an innovation leader. Mediaplanet recently sat down with Alexandre Poulain, its new Associate Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship, to discuss uOttawa’s successes, his vision for the future and why businesses should connect with the institution.
What makes uOttawa an ideal place for innovation?
Being in the nation’s capital places us at the intersection of government, industry, and academia, creating opportunities to share expertise and tackle complex challenges together. The uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range is a great example, bringing researchers, students, and partners together to develop and test solutions to real-world cybersecurity threats. Our Kanata North campus, located in Canada’s largest technology park, further strengthens those connections by bringing scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders together in one of the country’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. We also benefit from a strong health and life sciences sector. Opening in 2027, the Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC) will anchor it further by housing the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, bringing researchers, clinicians, and industry partners under one roof to accelerate the path from discovery to patient impact. Across all our partnerships, we apply a strong research security lens to ensure that innovations developed here continue to benefit Canada.
What are some of uOttawa’s recent successful partnerships?
Industry collaboration is central to how uOttawa conducts R&D, with partnerships ranging from multinational corporations to early-stage startups. Our long-standing partnership with Ciena has enabled students to work alongside industry experts to develop AI solutions, some of which have been incorporated into the company’s products. More recently, we signed a five-year partnership with Kinaxis to co-develop advanced supply chain technologies while providing graduate students with valuable real-world experience. We also work with emerging companies such as Edge Signal, Celestra Health Systems and ReasonX Labs, helping advance innovations ranging from smart insole technologies to edge AI and bringing promising ideas closer to market.
How does uOttawa’s broad view of innovation set it apart?
We take a broad view of innovation that extends beyond patents and startups to include public policy, legal frameworks, and social innovation. That approach leads to interesting cross-fertilizations. One example is our work with Indigenous partners to co-develop methodologies that support truth and reconciliation. Another is the pro bono legal clinic offered through the Faculty of Law’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program in partnership with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada. Under the supervision of practicing lawyers, law students acquire clients while entrepreneurs receive free legal support. Our Francophone partnerships are another strength, helping prepare bilingual graduates who can work confidently across disciplines and sectors.
What is your vision for uOttawa’s future?
A key priority is empowering graduate students by complementing their academic training with the professional and entrepreneurial skills that reflect the realities of the market. I also want uOttawa to be even more responsive to the needs of industry and to the challenges facing Canada. By strengthening connections between researchers, partners, and communities, we can accelerate the impact of research and turn discoveries into solutions that benefit society.
Come work with us! The University of Ottawa welcomes innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers from all backgrounds.
Whether you’re looking to develop a new idea, advance a discovery, or address a real-world challenge, visit uottawa.ca/research-innovation to learn how we can work together.
