The Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance (CISWP) will transition from an incubated entity at Conestoga to an independent research institute. This move marks a rare achievement within Canada's post-secondary and research ecosystem, typically reserved for highly reputable institutions with longstanding research.
Founded in 2019 under Dr. Amin Yazdani's leadership, CISWP has grown rapidly into a nationally and internationally respected institute, advancing evidence-informed research, innovation and applied solutions that strengthen safety, wellness and performance across complex and high-risk sectors.
"Dr. Yazdani has guided CISWP to position the institute as a trusted partner to industry, government and the broader research community. His ability to bridge applied research with real-world implementation has differentiated the institute and elevated its standing across multiple sectors," said Interim Conestoga President Norma McDonald Ewing. "CISWP's evolution reflects not only institutional foresight but also sustained excellence, relevance and credibility in applied research."
During its incubation at Conestoga, CISWP has attracted and secured substantial operational, infrastructure and research funding from a wide range of leading federal and provincial agencies and other external partners. This support has helped build strong research capacity, modern infrastructure and a highly skilled interdisciplinary team.
The institute has officially been registered as a non-profit organization. Effective March 2, 2026, all activities housed within CISWP will transition to the new institute. The organization will continue to be based at the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus and maintain strong collaboration with the college.
CISWP's transition to independence reflects the strength of its governance, financial stability, research portfolio and external reputation. It also underscores Conestoga's ability to cultivate and support innovation, enabling initiatives that can stand independently and contribute meaningfully at regional, provincial, national and international levels.
Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Conestoga brings together students, faculty, community partners and industry in collaboration to identify, address and solve challenges across a variety of sectors in an ever-changing economic, social and environment landscape. With the largest gathering of research minds at a Canadian college, Conestoga is dedicated to achieving real-world results for partners, recruiting, mentoring and empowering thinkers, problem solvers, and thought leaders ready to help change the world.
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