For more than 1,200 first-year students, September 5 marked the beginning of their academic careers at U of T Engineering. Faculty leaders, along with accomplished Canadian entrepreneur Som Seif (IndE 9T9) made sure the students started on the right foot, as they shared wisdom and inspiring words at this year’s plenary lecture in Convocation Hall.
“I am delighted to welcome you to the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering,” said Dean Cristina Amon. “Students, today you begin a journey, a journey at the University of Toronto, a journey in Engineering. It is not an easy one, but you didn’t decide to study engineering here because it is easy. You came seeking a challenge. And I am confident you will meet that challenge, with boundless rewards.”
This year’s incoming students make up the strongest class in the Faculty’s history, with an admission average of 91.8 per cent, she noted. “This is an achievement in which you can all take pride,” said Dean Amon.
Dean Amon, along with Dr. Micah Stickel (ECE), First Year Chair, also urged students to take advantage of the countless learning and extracurricular opportunities a premier institution like U of T Engineering provides to students. “Don’t let your time here just fly by,” said Dr. Stickel, “Be active. We are here to support you and help you.”
Being an active, hard-working and well-rounded student is what leads to success, said Seif in his lecture. And he certainly would know a thing or two about success – since graduating from U of T Engineering in 1999, he has become one of Canada’s biggest business success stories. Seif is currently the CEO and President of Purpose Investments Inc., and before that, he founded and built Claymore Investments Inc. into a company with $8-billion in assets, making it the second-largest provider of exchange-traded funds in Canada.
Throughout his academic and business career, he has always been careful to maintain balance, getting involved in the Toronto and U of T community, even coaching the University’s waterpolo team for seven years. It’s a valuable lesson for students to keep in mind as they embark on their own journeys. “Being smart doesn’t cut it. You need to have more in you,” he said. “What matters is what you do in the next four years to learn, to stand out and to push yourself, to be as good as anybody else.”
Seif also commended the ways U of T Engineering has broadened its educational offerings to meet diverse industry and student interests. “Eighteen years ago, when I wanted to pursue finance, it wasn’t easy. Now, the Faculty has opened up so many opportunities for students, it’s amazing. The Faculty recognizes that graduates not only become engineers, but also entrepreneurs, leaders, doctors … [U of T Engineering] supports it,” he said.
“This institution creates phenomenal talent … so make this a springboard for what you want to do in life.”
