Bridging Computer Science and Entrepreneurship
Author: Sonya Hull
Posted on Jul 23, 2025
Category: Columns
In today’s digital world, the ability to code is just the beginning. At University of New Brunswick (UNB) Fredericton’s faculty of computer science, students are learning how to turn opportunities and problems into products and ideas into impact.
The Barrett Chair in Entrepreneurship for Digital Transformation, led by Dr. Kenneth Kent, is redefining how computer science students engage with aspects of entrepreneurship, preparing them to envision how technology can enable solutions to real-world problems.
The importance of entrepreneurship in technology cannot be overstated. As industries from healthcare to agriculture undergo digital transformation, the demand for technology-savvy leaders who can identify problems and build scalable solutions is skyrocketing. The Barrett Chair Entrepreneurship program seeks to show how computer science programs can not only incorporate solid foundational preparation but also incorporate the missing link of creating an environment that teaches and inspires entrepreneurial thinking with a technology lens.
Dr. Kent’s work addresses this gap head-on. By integrating entrepreneurship into the computer science curriculum, he’s helping students see beyond the code to the people, problems, and possibilities that technology can serve. This mindset is essential for building not just successful startups, but resilient, forward-thinking careers.
As Dr. Kent puts it, “We’re not just teaching students how to build things. We’re teaching them how to build things that matter.”
The Barrett Chair was established in 2022 through a $2.5 million gift from New Brunswick entrepreneurs Edward and William Barrett. Their vision was clear: to embed entrepreneurial thinking into the core of computer science education. While UNB has long been a leader in innovation, the Barrett Chair represents a step forward that recognizes the power of entrepreneurship to turn technical knowledge into societal impact.
Dr. Kenneth Kent, a professor of computer science and director of the Centre for Advanced Studies – Atlantic, was appointed as the inaugural chairholder. With a career that bridges academia and industry, Dr. Kent brings a unique perspective to the role, as he has also co-founded start-ups himself. He understands that today’s students must be creators, collaborators, and changemakers in addition to having foundational computer science knowledge.
Under Dr. Kent’s leadership, UNB has launched two new courses: Entrepreneurship for Digital Transformation I and II. These courses aim to cultivate a mindset that sees technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for business and societal change.
They are designed to help students identify real-world problems, validate market needs, and develop viable tech-based solutions. But more than that, they teach students how to think like entrepreneurs.
In the first course, students explore the intersection of technology and opportunity. They conduct user research, analyze market gaps, and begin to shape their ideas into potential ventures. The second course takes this further, guiding students through the development of minimum viable products (MVPs), client engagement, and investor pitching.
This hands-on, problem-driven approach is already yielding results. Student teams have tackled challenges ranging from legal document management to digital accessibility for seniors. Some have incorporated their startups and secured early client engagement, showing that the program is not just theoretical, but transformational.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Barrett Chair initiative is its emphasis on collaboration. Students are encouraged to form diverse teams, combining technical, business, and design skills. They also engage with mentors from industry, gaining real-world insights and feedback.
This ecosystem approach mirrors the dynamics of successful tech hubs around the world. By fostering connections between students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and investors, UNB is creating a vibrant culture of innovation that extends far beyond the classroom.
Moreover, the initiative is helping to position Fredericton and Atlantic Canada as emerging centers for digital entrepreneurship. As graduates launch ventures and contribute to local technology ecosystems, the ripple effects of the Barrett Chair will be felt across the region.
Of course, not every student who takes Dr. Kent’s courses will become a founder and that’s by design. The goal is to instill an entrepreneurial mindset that students can carry into any role, whether in a startup, a multinational company, or a public institution.
This entrepreneurial mindset characterized by curiosity, resilience, and a bias toward action is what sets the leaders of tomorrow apart. In a world where problems are complex and change is constant, we need problem solvers who can navigate uncertainty, seize opportunity, and drive meaningful progress.
The Barrett Chair in Entrepreneurship at UNB is a catalyst for change. Through Dr. Kent’s leadership, the initiative is equipping students with the tools, mindset, and confidence to lead in the digital age. By blending technical excellence with entrepreneurial vision, UNB is empowering students to create the jobs of the future.
In doing so, the university is fulfilling a vital mission: to educate not just graduates, but innovators, leaders, and problem solvers who will shape a better future for us all.
Sonya Hull is the Managing Director of the Faculty of Computer Science at UNB Fredericton.