Join the ISA Edmonton Section on Monday, November 30 for networking, pizza (from a local gem), and... hear from Dr. Rafiq Ahmad on EVERYTHING he's been up to as it relates to automations role in Alberta's Advanced Manufacturing Transition, plus tour his SMART Lab.
November 30, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
U of A, DICE 8-207
Alberta's advanced manufacturing goes beyond automation and digitalization; it is about creating intelligent, connected, adaptive, and resilient factories. Drawing on my work in advancing smart manufacturing technologies, this presentation and SMART Lab tour explore how the integration of - Industrial IoT, artificial intelligence, advanced automation, real-time data analytics, and digital technologies - is transforming traditional manufacturing systems into intelligent production ecosystems. I'll highlight the journey from developing smart manufacturing capabilities to realizing the vision of next-generation smart factories - where machines, processes, and people work seamlessly together to enable greater productivity, operational efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability.
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Dr. Rafiq Ahmad, Ph.D., ME (Mech), P.Eng. |
Dr. Rafiq Ahmad is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Research Chair in Smart Manufacturing and Industrialized Robotics at the University of Alberta, where he is the founder and director of the Smart & Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Laboratory (SMART Lab) and Agile Learning Factory (AllFactory). He also serves as Executive Director of the Alberta Advanced Manufacturing International Hub (AbAMI Hub). As an entrepreneur and co-founder of an innovative technology startup, he has earned global recognition as a NASA-recognized winner of the LunaRecycling Challenge. He is also the author of The 10P Model for Success. His achievements include Edify’s Top 40 Under 40 and the ASTech Award for Digital Technology Innovation. Through research, entrepreneurship, and education, Dr. Ahmad advances Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies and fosters innovation for a smarter, more sustainable future.
5:30pm - Check-In & Networking
5:45pm - Dinner: Sepp's Pizza ("Classic NY style pizza with a northern twist" - a U of A staple!)
6:30pm - Technical Talk & Tour
This event takes place at the University of Alberta Donadeo Innovation Centre for Learning (DICE), 9211 - 116 St NW, in room 8-207, also known as the Patrick D. Daniel Enbridge Conference Room.
Parking & Walking Directions To Building - Windsor Car Park is the closest parkade. Exit the Windsor Parkade via the southeast corner and turn right. You will see the DICE building immediately on your right. Enter via the east doors. Take the elevator(s) to the 8th floor.
Please sign-up for this event via the below button...
