The Forefront: Ideas for cities

Discover how Toronto Metropolitan University is shaping the next generation of nurses through  immersive, hands-on education. Backed by a $1 million donation from the FDC Foundation, these innovative simulation labs immerse students in realistic healthcare scenarios, preparing them for the complexities of modern nursing by utilizing the latest technology to navigate high-pressure situations with confidence and care. 

TMU’s DMZ has earned its place as the world’s top university-based tech incubator with its 14 years of experience, 1000+ startups and $2.76 billion in funding. By providing entrepreneurs with the tools to build, launch and scale their ventures, DMZ fuels groundbreaking innovation while shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Canada. Discover how Nathaniel Bagnell, co-founder of the tech startup LiveGauge, is transforming industries with support from DMZ.

Shopping for clothes is typically a visual experience, but for those who are partially or totally blind, it can be challenging. Enter Aille Design, founded by Alexa Jovanovic, a Fashion Communication '16 alumna, and incubated in TMU’s Fashion Zone. Aille integrates braille into its designs, making garments fully legible for braille readers. Discover how Aille is breaking down barriers and reshaping the narrative around disability and fashion.

There’s a silent epidemic impacting older Canadians over the age of 50. A new report from Toronto Metropolitan University'’s National Institute on Ageing (NIA) revealed that 40 per cent of Canadians aged 50 and over are at risk of struggling with social isolation. In this episode, we explore the growing issue of loneliness among older adults in Canada and spotlight the NIA’s efforts to curb it.

Artificial intelligence in higher education comes with its challenges, but one Toronto Metropolitan University professor has turned AI into an asset. Meet ProfBot, the revolutionary AI study buddy developed by Dr. Sean Wise. Learn how this innovative tool has helped students increase their grades — transforming the way students learn and the future of education.

What if the next time you see a doctor, you are treated as a person, not just a patient, and your culture and background are embraced, not overlooked? That’s the vision Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine is bringing to life. Through its bold new approach to medical education, TMU is transforming health care in Ontario to provide a person-centred experience that is as unique as you are.

Our award-winning podcast, The Forefront, is back for another season! Join us as we explore disruptions in healthcare, education, technology, fashion, and beyond.

Smoke, noise, disorientation— when firefighters are inside a burning building, the ability to get out safely is a challenge.

In this episode, we speak with Michael Stanfield, a former Toronto fire chief and co-founder of IFTech, and Alex Ferworn, Director of the Computational Public Safety Lab at TMU, about the “As Real as It Gets” suit, which utilizes virtual reality video game technology into potentially  life-saving technology for firefighters. 

The job market is changing at a rapid speed, making it difficult for both those looking to get hired and for those doing the hiring. How can we address this skills gap?

In this episode, we speak with Matt McInnis, an educational technology leader, and with Gary Hepburn, dean of The Chang School, about microcredentials: a skills-based training and certification program developed in partnership with industry to help workers master the skills that employers need.

More than 50 per cent of Canadians report that their mental health has worsened since the beginning of the pandemic. And while treatments like therapy and medication can help, they can be hard to access — and expensive. 

In this episode, we speak with the team behind a music therapy app called LUCID: Aaron Labbé, who turned to music as a source of comfort during a mental health crisis, and Frank Russo, a TMU professor and neuroscientist.