In just four years, Cognizant has made a transformative impact on Nova Scotia’s tech ecosystem, providing valuable partnership to Dal’s Faculty of Computer Science. On Thursday, October 22, students, staff, and industry partners gathered to celebrate this milestone.
Cognizant’s support centres on ensuring that students and community members have access to the skills and resources needed to thrive in a fast-changing digital economy.
Their funding has supported a wide range of initiatives—from entrance scholarships for equity-deserving students to mentorship programs, industry networking events, and hands-on technical training. The annual BrAInstorm Innovation Challenge developed with ShiftKey Labs provides an opportunity for students to apply generative AI to real industry challenges, working collaboratively to move from ideas to functioning prototypes. The challenge gives students an opportunity to practice innovation, responsible technology use, teamwork, and presentation skills in an industry-connected environment.
The partnership has also expanded beyond technical training. Cognizant professionals worked with Dalhousie to deliver Consulting 101 workshop, introducing students to consulting methods, client problem-solving and the professional skills required to translate technology knowledge into business outcomes.
At the heart of this investment is a shared goal: to prepare the next generation for future careers in technology.
Our collaboration with Cognizant is one of our most influential partnerships.
This goal is echoed in Dal’s new strategic framework, A Rising Tide, which outlines the opportunities available through meaningful relationships with community, government, and industry partners.
“Our collaboration with Cognizant is one of our most influential partnerships, enabling us to integrate with our communities and achieve public impact via upskilling the talent pipeline,” says Nur Zincir-Heywood, dean of the Faculty of Computer Science. “We are very grateful to Cognizant for partnering with us on this journey.”
Upskilling for the future
One program to emerge from this partnership is ShiftKey Academy UP, which launched in the summer of 2024. ShiftKey Labs, a not-for-profit run out of the Faculty of Computer Science, helps students connect the dots between the classroom and a career in tech. ShiftKey Academy UP offers a range of technical upskilling programs, all focused around topics which are in high demand in the tech industry.
“[ShiftKey Academy UP] provided a welcoming space for me to explore various possibilities and learn practical, high-demand skills that aren't typically taught in university curriculum,” says Yuhan Fu, a Master of Computer Science student. “This experience bridged the gap between academic theory and real-world industry needs, giving me a much deeper understanding of the tech landscape.”
Since the program expanded, ShiftKey Academy UP has reached over 1500 participants annually, through a suite of programs ranging from workshops and courses to experiential learning opportunities and certificates.
“It’s important for us to identify what tech employers need and then create engaging and exciting programs that fill that need. This way we can stay agile and fill the gaps as we see them” says Emily Fenton, director of ShiftKey Labs. “Two years ago, it was important to be training people in things like React Native and Python, now the key topics are AI and Cybersecurity.”
This experience bridged the gap between academic theory and real-world industry needs, giving me a much deeper understanding of the tech landscape.
The ShiftKey Academy UP initiative and the new consulting course align closely with Cognizant’s Synapse program, a global effort to help individuals’ skill and reskill to help prepare them for jobs of the future. By investing locally, Cognizant is supporting Dalhousie students and expanding access to tech careers for underrepresented and underestimated communities across Atlantic Canada.
A growing tech hub
Cognizant has grown rapidly in Nova Scotia and is now the largest IT services provider in Atlantic Canada. Its continued investment in Dalhousie reflects a broader commitment to developing local talent and strengthening the region’s digital economy.
“Our partnership with Dalhousie is about creating meaningful pathways from education to opportunity," says Dora Jonah, Cognizant's country head in Canada. "Together, we are giving students access to technical learning, AI-focused experiences, consulting skills, mentorship, and hands-on opportunities that connect the classroom with the changing needs of industry. For Cognizant, this is an investment in people, in Halifax, and in the future of Atlantic Canada’s technology ecosystem. We are proud of what we have built together and excited to continue expanding the partnership.”