A longstanding partnership between the University of Calgary and Cenovus Energy has been deepened thanks to a new $2-million investment that enhances hands-on learning and prepares students for careers in Canada's evolving energy industry.
The investment establishes the Cenovus Energy Chemical Makerspace in the Schulich School of Engineering and enhances programming in the Cenovus Energy Trading and Finance Lab at the Haskayne School of Business both dedicated spaces that reinforce classroom learning through experimentation, simulation and applied real-world problem solving.
"Cenovus's investment strengthens the future-focused education that defines the University of Calgary," says Dr. Ed McCauley, PhD, president and vice-chancellor, University of Calgary. "By expanding experiential learning and deepening industry connections, we're preparing the next generation of leaders to thrive in Canada's changing energy landscape. Our graduates start their careers already equipped with the skills, knowledge and entrepreneurial mindset to make an immediate impact."
Opening doors through partnership
At the heart of this investment is a shared belief in what becomes possible when students are given access to the right environments. For Cenovus, the investment represents a long-standing commitment to developing talent and supporting students as they prepare to enter a complex and evolving energy sector.
"We rely on bright young minds from schools like the University of Calgary to fuel our long-term success, both as a company and an industry," says Jeff Lawson, Cenovus Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development & Chief Sustainability Officer. "Opportunities where students can apply theory in a meaningful way give them practical insight before entering the workforce."
Hands-on engineering, from concept to application
From left: Adrian Obrejanu, Candace Newman, Jeff Lawson, Julia Hurtaj and Ed McCauley. Photo Credit: Adrian Shellard
The Cenovus Energy Chemical Makerspace creates something students have long needed: a chemical wet lab where they can explore, test ideas and learn through doing. The space gives students room for chemical-based experimentation in a safe, supervised environment, where they can ask questions, take risks and apply what they've learned in class to open-ended challenges that reflect real-world scenarios.
From developing new formulations for battery technologies, processes to clean water and the conversion of carbon into new materials, to exploring how chemicals interact in fermented foods, lotions and cosmetics, the Makerspace allows students to connect theory with application in tangible ways. Just as importantly, it provides a home for students to collaborate, iterate and build together.
Students, whether by themselves or in teams, will be able to use the space to design, test and refine chemically powered systems work that mirrors the complexity, creativity and teamwork required in industry and competition settings, alike.
"The Makerspace is where students finally get the chance to see engineering, not in their textbooks, but crafted with their own hands and experiencing the process in person," says Adrian Obrejanu, third-year chemical engineering student and president of the Chemical and Oil & Gas Engineering Students' Society at the Schulich School of Engineering. "This engineering is brought to life through their own ideas, experiments and creations. Students will be able to gain expertise and build confidence, developing skills that are essential for work or creating your own ventures."
Learning the markets, building confidence
Over at the Haskayne School of Business, students in the Cenovus Energy Trading and Finance Lab practise decision making in environments that reflect the realities of energy markets. Using industry-standard trading simulations, they work with real-time data, manage portfolios, and respond to market signals tied to commodities such as natural gas and crude oil.
Rather than learning trading concepts in the abstract, students apply them through live scenarios testing strategies, adjusting positions, and learning how discipline and judgment shape outcomes. The lab mirrors how professional trading desks operate, helping students understand not only how markets move, but how traders think, collaborate and perform under pressure.
The space also serves as a hub for student clubs and competitive teams, supporting portfolio management activities and preparing students for regional and national trading competitions.
"Trading can feel intimidating from the outside," says Julia Hurtaj, fourth-year risk management, insurance and finance student at the Haskayne School. "The lab gave me a space to practise, make mistakes and learn alongside other students. Working through commodities cases, especially natural gas, helped me build confidence and see myself in the energy industry in a way I hadn't before. With these additions, more students will be able to experiment and learn meaningfully in the Lab."
Preparing students to lead in Canada's energy economy
Together, the Cenovus Energy Chemical Makerspace and Trading and Finance Lab show how hands-on learning accelerates the transition from classroom to career. "By creating environments where students can experiment, practise and collaborate, UCalgary and Cenovus are giving students the opportunity to build real-world skills before they graduate, ensuring UCalgary alumni enter the workforce ready to contribute, adapt and make an immediate impact in Canada's evolving energy sector," says Candace Newman, BA'97, MBA'02, Cenovus Senior Vice-President, People Services.
