The Ontario government has announced $15 million in support for U of T Engineering’s new Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CEIE).
Announced in the 2016 Ontario Budget introduced on Feb. 25, this investment is designed to strengthen the Innovation SuperCorridor in Ontario.
The CEIE will bring together smart building design and state-of-the-art learning technologies, enabling students, faculty, alumni and industry partners to work together in addressing some of Canada’s most pressing economic challenges.
“We are grateful for this tremendous support for the Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship which underlines Ontario’s commitment to accelerating innovations to address some of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century,” said Cristina Amon, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “U of T Engineering is at the heart of Ontario’s innovation economy, and this investment in the CEIE will catalyze multidisciplinary research and set new standards for engineering education and student experiential learning.”
The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has raised more than $26 million in philanthropic donations to support the CEIE, including a generous $1-million donation from undergraduate students through the U of T Engineering Society.
“I am deeply appreciative of the leadership and generosity shown by our alumni, donors, faculty, staff and students,” said Dean Amon. “With their unwavering support and dedication, we are building one of the finest learning and research environments at any engineering school in the world.”
Designed to support and accelerate economic growth and long-term prosperity in Ontario and Canada, the CEIE will:
- Help enhance Ontario’s private sector productivity and competitiveness
- Modernize the province’s manufacturing sector by generating innovations in robotics and advanced manufacturing
- Accelerate entrepreneurship activity leading to the creation of more technology-based startups
- Produce highly qualified graduates in fields of study that are key to Ontario’s and Canada’s economic success
The CEIE moves beyond traditional classrooms toward unique collaborative learning and design spaces, including Technology Enhanced Active Learning rooms, prototyping, fabrication and visualization facilities, and a dedicated space for The Entrepreneurship Hatchery, U of T Engineering’s student startup accelerator. The building also provides space for many of our multidisciplinary research centres and institutes in areas such as water, sustainable energy, robotics and mechatronics, engineering leadership, multidisciplinary design and global engineering.
“We are pleased at this recognition of the University of Toronto’s excellence and contribution to the economy through innovation, entrepreneurship and work-integrated learning,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “With the province’s support to develop the Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship, we will be able to accelerate our efforts in these key areas.”
