In a record-setting show of industry-academic collaboration, Imperial Oil has donated a $37 million research facility to Calgary’s Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) — the largest corporate gift ever made to a post-secondary institution in Alberta.
The 40,000-square-foot Imperial Energy Innovation Centre, located in Calgary’s Quarry Park, will become a new engine for applied research in clean energy innovation, sustainability, and decarbonization. SAIT will assume management of the facility in mid-2025, expanding its nationally ranked Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) programs with a dedicated hub for industry-led projects.
“For more than a century, Imperial has played a role in shaping Canada’s energy landscape through pioneering research,” said Brad Corson, Chairman and CEO of Imperial. “This donation creates new space for collaboration across Alberta’s innovation ecosystem and strengthens the development of future STEM leaders working on lower-carbon energy solutions.”
The Imperial Energy Innovation Centre will serve as a launchpad for addressing in-field energy challenges and accelerating commercialization of clean technologies. SAIT’s ARIS group, one of the top five research colleges in Canada, will use the facility to bridge industry needs with student talent, developing tangible solutions across petroleum engineering, emissions reduction, and systems optimization.
SAIT President and CEO Dr. David Ross emphasized the importance of hands-on industry collaboration. “This donation is a clear reflection of SAIT’s deep connection with the energy sector and our commitment to applied, impact-driven research. The new centre will create a dynamic environment where students, researchers, and industry come together to drive innovation and real-world progress in energy transition.”
While SAIT will operate the facility, Imperial will continue to conduct research from the site, supporting its upstream technology initiatives focused on improving efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of operations — aligning with broader industry goals to lower emissions and advance responsible energy production.
With this historic donation, SAIT and Imperial are creating a blueprint for how public-private partnerships can unlock breakthroughs in energy innovation, train future talent, and build a cleaner energy future.