The University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute has named Kenneth Kent as its first Barrett Chair in Entrepreneurship for Digital Transformation.
Kent is a longtime professor of computer science at UNB and heads up the Atlantic Canadian arm of the IBM Centre for Advanced Studies, which focuses on commercializing computer science research. He has helped spearhead research and development partnerships with IBM, Google, Linux operating system RedHat and electronics giant Huawei.
He is also a co-founder of Fredericton-based anessa, which sells software for waste-to-energy projects like biogas production facilities, and is known in the startup community as a prolific mentor.
Kent’s new position is funded to the tune of $2.5 million by the Barrett family, including Erin Barrett, CEO of Eigen Innovations, which sells computer vision software for industrial applications.
“Business and industry increasingly seek students with more real-life work and direct business experience,” said Erin Barrett in a statement.
“It is a pleasure to see this chair taking a leading role in creating an environment and programming that will foster business and entrepreneurial spirit in UNB’s computer science students.”
The McKenna Institute’s mission brief is to foster economic growth and social progress in New Brunswick via digital technology.
