Industry Student Challenge

Program Overview

The Industry Student Challenge connects Alberta transportation, logistics, and supply chain companies with Mount Royal University students to explore real-world business challenges through applied, capstone-style projects during the Winter 2027 semester (January - April).

Participating companies identify a business problem for students to investigate, with support from MRU faculty and Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence (ALCoE) experts. Potential project areas include:

• Data analysis and business intelligence
• Supply chain and logistics challenges
• Operational efficiency and process improvement
• Technology adoption and digital transformation
• Other business challenges requiring research, analysis, or practical solutions

Projects provide students with hands-on industry experience while giving companies access to fresh perspectives, research, and potential solutions.

Target Audience & Fit

• Alberta transportation, logistics, and supply chain companies
• Small and medium-sized enterprises seeking additional research or analytical capacity
• Organizations with a business challenge or opportunity suitable for student investigation
• Companies interested in collaborating with students and academic experts
• Organizations willing to provide relevant business context and engage with students throughout the project

Key Learning or Business Outcomes

Depending on the project scope, participating companies may receive:

• Research and analysis of a specific business challenge
• Fresh perspectives and independent insights
• Practical recommendations and potential solutions
• Identification of opportunities for operational improvement
• Student presentations and findings to inform future business decisions

Why This Matters Now

Alberta's transportation, logistics, and supply chain companies face evolving operational, technological, and workforce challenges. Many organizations could benefit from additional research and analysis but may lack the internal capacity to explore every opportunity for improvement.

The Industry Student Challenge connects industry needs with academic expertise, giving companies an opportunity to investigate practical solutions while providing students with valuable industry experience. Findings will also help ALCoE identify emerging challenges and opportunities for future applied learning and industry collaboration.