In this issue of Windsor Engineering (WE), you’ll learn about our new, state-of-the-art micronano fabrication clean room; a socially minded engineering student who is helping young children in India access education; and our incredible alumni — two of whom are the forefront of Canada’s wind energy industry, and another who is using his engineering profession to make a difference locally and worldwide.
The Faculty of Engineering has been on a positive trajectory over the past number of years. In the last three years alone, there has been significant growth in our graduate and undergraduate enrolment; we have modernized and expanded our laboratories; and have increased the size of our secretarial and technical support staff. Our faculty complement has also grown with the addition of 15 tenure-stream — three teaching and learning — as well as five limited-term faculty members, with additional faculty positions to be filled over the upcoming year.
Parallel to this, we’ve continued to focus on experiential learning and expanding our engineering programs. As an engineering school, we believe we have an obligation to meet the needs of the local community and industry. That’s why our Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree, originally designed to create a pathway from college to university, is now available on weekends for working professionals to expand their expertise in mechatronics, industrial automation, robotics, manufacturing and engineering operational functions.
A new collaboration with global tech giant Siemens has also enabled us to launch a world-class industry certification in mechatronic systems. This eight-week program is also offered on weekends to meet the needs of our community. We’ve just graduated our first class of students in the recently created Master of Engineering Management program — an innovative joint degree program between the Faculty of Engineering and Odette School of Business, and the only weekend program of its kind in Ontario. These programs are expanding the expertise of local skilled trade professionals and engineers while helping local companies meet market demands.
Construction of our new student success centre is underway. The one-stop hub for students will bring together the WINONE Office for First Year Engineering, engineering communication support, counselling, co-op and international students advisors, as well as our outreach team.
As we look forward to the year ahead, we’d like to thank our alumni, industry and corporate partners, donors and friends who have helped us bring our vision to life.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mehrdad Saif, P.Eng.
Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering