Sparking Student Innovation at the Collision Conference
With support from the Toronto Campus Dean’s Fund, four Northeastern University Toronto students attended Collision—North America’s fastest-growing technology conference, renowned for gathering the brightest minds in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Toronto, the fifth largest technology hub in North America with over 24,000 companies and 289,000 workers, has hosted Collision for the past four years.
From June 17–20, Northeastern students immersed themselves in a wealth of knowledge and insights from 800 speakers and 2,000 start-ups representing over 140 countries. The students attended various Collision sessions and workshops, where they delved into critical topics such as using technology to strengthen democracy, venture capital analysis, biotech innovations, and artificial intelligence (AI). The experience was not just educational but transformative, providing the students with a broader perspective on the current state of technology and their potential to shape its future.
Liangjun Zhou, a Master of Professional Studies in Informatics student, reports that, “attending the Collision Conference on behalf of Northeastern University was an incredibly enriching experience. One of the major benefits was the opportunity to connect with leading companies like EQ Bank. These interactions provided insights into the latest industry trends and potential career paths. The discussions about internships and job opportunities were particularly valuable, helping bridge the gap between our academic studies and real-world applications.”
AI Runs Hot
Among the numerous discussions and panels, AI dominated, fueling debates and inspiring engagement and innovation. From exploring the ethical implications of AI to discussing its potential to revolutionize industries, the dialogues were thought-provoking. The students were thrilled to take part in these conversations, gaining valuable insights that will undoubtedly impact their academic and professional journeys. Jeetson Debritto, a Master of Professional Studies in Project Management student, notes, “[there is a] growing emphasis on AI and machine learning applications in diverse industries beyond tech. I learned about innovative AI-driven solutions in fields like healthcare and sustainability, highlighting AI’s transformative potential beyond traditional tech sectors.”
Kendall Cable, a Master of Professional Studies in Analytics student, was pleasantly surprised to be exposed to the vast scope of AI, remarking that, “While I readily acknowledged the future possibilities of AI, before coming to the conference, I was skeptical about the true impact of AI in today’s existing market, industry, and commerce. However, hearing about how AI is currently being used in North America and globally, and seeing so many of today’s startups leveraging AI in unique and interesting ways, I can definitely see the impact of AI today.”
Fundraising to Support Student Experience
Student participation at Collision was made possible through the generous donations to the Toronto Campus Dean’s Fund during Northeastern’s 7th Annual Giving Day on April 11. Organized by the Annual Giving team in Boston, Giving Day is a 24-hour philanthropic drive across Northeastern’s global network, allowing donors to direct their contributions to specific areas in the university, such as a particular campus, college, program, or cause. “This year marked the first time we have activated our colleagues across the network to broaden the programming on Giving Day. This special day is an opportunity for us to showcase the incredible achievements of our colleagues, our students, and our alumni while philanthropically supporting the future of Northeastern. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a positive impact on the experience powered by Northeastern.”, says Jason Nolen-Doerr, Director of Advancement Global Engagement.
Giving Day at the Toronto Campus was a great success, thanks to the community’s generosity. Montse Sanzsole, the Director of Strategic Partnerships and the 125 Campaign Champion at Northeastern University in Toronto, promoted the Toronto Campus Dean’s Fund widely, encouraging the community to support meaningful opportunities for students. Sanzsole notes that, “it was inspiring to see so many staff, faculty, alumni and students donate towards the Toronto Campus Dean’s Fund. They believe in the positive impact the fund can have on the students of today and tomorrow. It is great to see the leaders of tomorrow grow.”
The community’s generous contributions helped boost the Toronto Campus Dean’s Fund. In keeping with the campus commitment to foster innovation and experiential learning, the team chose to dedicate the fund to supporting student initiatives and enhancing their educational experiences, such as covering the registration fees for Collision.
We would like to thank again the Northeastern community members and alumni for their liberal generosity and unwavering support of our students. If you would like to contribute, you can find out more about the Toronto Campus Dean’s Fund here.