Fostering Social Innovation: The Role of Entrepreneurship and Research in Addressing Homelessness, Addiction, Poverty, and Crime in Urban Centres

The Peter Lougheed School of Leadership and the Peter Lougheed School of Politics & Democracy are honored to invite you to a collaborative keynote event with Chancellor Nizar J. Somji, who will be speaking on Fostering Social Innovation: The Role of Entrepreneurship and Research in Addressing Homelessness, Addiction, Poverty, and Crime in Urban Centres.

In the spirit of the Lougheed legacy of visionary leadership, this event is designed to open a door to new ways of thinking. Chancellor Somji will provide a concise 30-min address intended to spark fresh perspectives on these crises, followed by a moderated Q&A session. We recognize that these problems cannot be solved in a single evening, but we can begin the collaborative work required to find a path forward.

About Chancellor Nizar J. Somji:

Nizar Jaffer Somji was elected the 23rd Chancellor of the University of Alberta in March 2024. He was installed on June 21, 2024, at the final Spring Convocation Ceremony and will serve a four-year non-renewable term ending June 2028.

During more than 30 years of leadership developing new initiatives, forging strategic partnerships and driving innovation, Somji founded multiple successful businesses, including the Jaffer Group of Companies, which has invested more than $130 million in Alberta through ventures in construction, staffing, information technology, realty, hospitality, petroleum and property management.

A U of A graduate, Somji holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering. Dedicated to supporting advances in industrial innovation, Somji has funded two engineering research chairs at the U of A, leading to many developments in process control and automation that were adopted by several multinational corporations. His expertise as a seasoned corporate executive also extends to the community. He is a current member of EPCOR’s board of directors and chair of KV Capital, a Western Canadian equity fund enterprise. Somji has also served on the boards of Redline Communications and Critical Control Energy Services Corp. As well, he has served with the U of A Board of Governors and as a global director of campus development and operations with Aga Khan University and Hospital.

Schedule of Events

4:00p.m. | Guest Arrival & Hors d’oeuvres
4:45p.m. | Welcome & Honorary Indigenous Drumming
5:00p.m. | Presentation: Chancellor Nizar J. Somji
5:30p.m. | Moderated Q&A
5:55p.m. | Closing Indigenous Drumming – with New Agency Singers, led by Adrian LaChance
6:00p.m. | Standing Reception with Light Dinner
6:45p.m. | Event Concludes

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