Uncategorized – SDG Innovation Network

Tech Webinar on Advanced Air Mobility, jointly organized by Concordia University’s Institute for Aerospace Design and Innovation (CIADI) and the Advanced Air Mobility Institute of the SDG Innovation Network.

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:30
Format: Online | Offered in English
Presented in collaboration with: Aéroports de Montréal.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is often presented as the next revolution in aviation. But behind the headlines and futuristic renderings lies a much harder reality: building safe, scalable, and economically viable aerial systems is an enormous engineering challenge.

In this webinar, the CEO of Moya Aero will share the real story of launching and growing a cutting-edge aerospace company in this emerging field. The talk will explore the technical, business, and regulatory barriers that define the industry today, as well as the milestones and lessons learned while developing large electric unmanned aircraft for cargo operations.

Special attention will be given to the key technological challenges shaping the future of AAM, including energy limitations and management, aircraft reliability and autonomy, certification of new aircraft architectures, integration with existing airspace systems, and the difficulty of scaling aerospace manufacturing.

Designed to inspire students, the session will also reflect on leadership, innovation, and the role the next generation of engineers will play in turning ambitious visions into real aerospace systems.

✈️ Dive into the future of air mobility!

👉 Register now.

Advanced air mobility could revolutionise how we transport people and goods. The technology for new aerial vehicles, focused on sustainability and automation, is developing fast – but to make them a reality, we need to understand how they can integrate into today’s world. In Canada, Professor Jean-Marc Frayret, of the Polytechnique Montréal, and his colleagues at the SDG Institute of Advanced Air Mobility are using advanced ‘digital twin’ simulations and other industrial engineering techniques to research how technologies such as drones, flying taxis and vertiports could move from science fiction to reality.

Full paper online: https://futurumcareers.com/preparing-the-world-for-the-next-generation-of-flying-machines

Published: February 10, 2026

Online Tech Webinar: Embraer-X Flying on Innovation

Online Tech Webinar on Advanced Air Mobility, co-organized by the Advanced Air Mobility Institute of the SDG Innovation Network and Concordia University’s Institute for Aerospace Design and Innovation (CIADI), and presented in collaboration with Aéroports de Montréal.

Join us for an inside look at Embraer-X, Embraer’s innovation, and venture arm focused on transforming bold ideas into impactful businesses. During this session Daniel Moczydlower, CEO and President of Embraer-X, will share a pragmatic, inside view of how Embraer-X nurtures ideas into ventures—connecting entrepreneurship, technology, and strategic intent to shape advanced air mobility and adjacent opportunities.

Date: Friday, February 6

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (ET)

Speaker: Daniel Moczydlower, CEO and President, Embraer-X

Moderator: Carole El Ayoubi, Director of Education, CIADI

Funding for a new research project with Alstom at the SDG Innovation Network ($960,300)

Project: Improving the efficiency of welding activities through artificial intelligence (led by Professors Michael Morin and Jonathan Gaudreault of Lab-Usine)
Partnership objective: Combine the potential of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and optimization to create the conditions for more efficient design and manufacturing of welded structures optimized to meet the needs of the Canadian rail market and equipment manufacturer Alstom

Industrial partner: Alstom

Funding partners: NSERC & MITACS

Academic partners: Laval University (Lab-Usine), ETS (LOPFA), UQAM (IoT Laboratory)

On September 12, 2025, the SDG Innovation Network held a strategic meeting at ÉTS, bringing together representatives from the eight partner universities. The objective: to review the state of the network and define a common vision for the 2025–2030 period.

🕊️ A morning focused on reflection

The discussions assessed the progress made, particularly in terms of projects and funding. They confirmed that the network is built on solid foundations, ready to support its future ambitions. On this occasion, the new website was unveiled, structuring projects around six key sectors.

🔎 An afternoon dedicated to sustainability

Deliberations focused on long-term strategies, with an emphasis on diversifying funding sources and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. The idea of a major unifying project, involving all universities, was also explored.

🎯 Concrete actions for tomorrow

The day concluded with the identification of action pathways, including consolidating existing committees and organizing events focused on skills development, particularly for SMEs.

🌱 Towards an intelligent, digital, and sustainable society

The SDG Innovation Network continues its journey with determination, driven by a shared vision and a strong commitment to impact. The future is being built collectively—with rigor, ambition, and dedication.

📸 Some moments captured at Lac à l’Épaule

The Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in Montreal welcomed H.E. Ambassador Nabil Mekki, Dr. Hany Moustapha (Director of the SDG Innovation Network), and researchers from Polytechnique Montréal, UQAM, UQTR, and ÉTS to mark the launch of a collaborative project with Galala University (Egypt).

The project is led by Christophe Danjou (Polytechnique Montréal), Yasmina Maïzi (UQAM), Ygal Bendavid (UQAM), Tasseda Boukherroub, Eng. (ÉTS), Neila El Asli (UQTR). Funded by the Government of Quebec, the initiative aims to:

Train Galala University students in IoT, simulation, and artificial intelligence technologies applied to medicine.
Offer two fully funded master’s scholarships in Canada to top-performing Egyptian students.

The event was also attended virtually by a representative of the Government of Quebec. Dr. Ahmed Gaber, Egyptian Cultural Counselor, congratulated the team and reaffirmed his support for future initiatives on a larger scale.

👏 A significant step forward in academic and technological cooperation between Quebec and Egypt!

Montreal is rapidly becoming a key hub for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), bringing together government, private companies, and academic institutions to foster innovation in aviation. Through initiatives like the SDG Innovation Network, the city supports cutting-edge projects, educational opportunities, and internships, creating a dynamic environment for students and professionals alike.

In the latest episode of The Ways We Move, Hany Moustapha, Director of the SDG Innovation Network, shares insights on Montreal’s unique ecosystem, the future of mobility, and the collaboration driving this transformation.

Tune in and enjoy the podcast to discover how Montreal is shaping the next generation of aviation and transportation.

The 3rd International SDG Innovation™ Forum was held on June 19, 2025, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, bringing together over 400 participants around the theme:
🎯 “Innovating for a Greener Future: Digital Solutions for SMEs.”

Researchers, business leaders, government officials, students, and international partners gathered to discuss key issues in sustainable innovation, in a spirit of collaboration and real-world impact.

🔹 Highlights of the Day

✔️ Opening Ceremony
Featuring remarks by Hany Moustapha, Yaoyao Fiona Zhao, Mohamed Cheriet, Patrick Hamelin (MEIE), and Tamara Arutyunyants (University of Stuttgart – TRACES), showcasing the progress of the SDG Innovation Network since its launch in 2019.

✔️ Panel on Smart and Green Air Mobility
ADM, Wisk, and ÉTS shared their vision for a cleaner, more autonomous, and connected future in aviation.

✔️ Health and Artificial Intelligence
An interdisciplinary discussion on the role of AI and digital twins in enhancing healthcare services.

✔️ Green Digitalization in Québec
Launch of the White Paper on Eco-Responsible Digital Transformation, presented by Nadine Bou Orm (ÉTS) and Youssef El Hjaji (MEIE).

✔️ SME Projects and Frugal Innovation
Concrete initiatives from the Digital Transformation Offensive (OTN) and inspiring examples of sustainable innovation in Quebec’s SMEs.

✔️ Student Workshops & 180-Second Pitch Contest
Workshops led by students from the CREATE program, followed by a dynamic final round where young researchers presented their projects in just 3 minutes.

🏆 Student Pitch Contest – 2025 Winners

1st Prize – Charles Beaulieu
2nd Prize – Daniel Amoshie & Xavier Zwingmann
3rd Prize – Jean-Thoms Sexton & Manuel Chastenay

🙏 Acknowledgments
Thank you to our institutional and industrial partners:
MEIE, Pratt & Whitney, ADM, Alstom, CAE, and the University of Stuttgart (TRACES).
Special thanks to our academic partners: ÉTS, McGill, UQAM, Université Laval, Concordia, Université de Sherbrooke, Polytechnique Montréal, and UQTR.
And of course, a heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers, facilitators, and coordination teams.

This forum reaffirmed the importance of building bridges between research, technological innovation, and sustainable engagement.

At IAMOT 2025 in Montreal, the SDG Innovation Network — official sponsor of the event — had the honor of welcoming Danny Di Perna, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Alstom, as a keynote speaker. In a powerful presentation, he shared how Alstom manages to move over 108 million passengers every day by leveraging a unique combination of technological innovation, operational resilience, and sustainable commitment.

True to Alstom’s philosophy, Danny Di Perna emphasized: “Not technology for technology’s sake” — a reminder that technology only matters when it brings real, meaningful transformation to our societies.

From connected trains and artificial intelligence to predictive maintenance and hydrogen solutions, Alstom demonstrates how the railway sector is adapting to major global trends such as rapid urbanization, climate challenges, and digital transformation.

His presentation strongly echoed the core values of the SDG Innovation Network: innovation that serves both people and the planet.

A heartfelt thank you to Alstom for their inspiring presence and global leadership in sustainable mobility.

On May 28, 2025, we had the pleasure of taking part in the Salon Connexion at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. It was an energizing day focused on digital innovation and practical solutions for businesses. We extend our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy of Québec (MEIE) for the invitation and the opportunity to contribute to this key event.

Our participation was marked by meaningful discussions, inspiring encounters, and promising collaboration opportunities. We’re grateful to all the organizations that stopped by to exchange ideas on digital transformation challenges and solutions.

The event was also a great opportunity to showcase our expertise and demonstrate how we help companies integrate the right technologies to accelerate growth and increase their impact.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring new paths toward sustainable innovation—together.