Professor Emeritus Richard Soberman of the Department of Civil Engineering will present his ideas on how to improve transit in the GTA and across Canada at the 45th annual Canadian Transportation Research Forum in Toronto.

Soberman argues that transit needs to make a cultural shift, one that places customer needs first. In the past 25 years, population growth has far outpaced increases in the use of transit. Without a change in leadership style, says the retired department Chair, making a huge investment in a glitzy new transportation system won’t result in increased use by the public.

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This video was shown at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Vancouver on May 29, 2010.  Video courtesy of Engineers Canada.

Engineers Canada honoured alumna Julie Payette (ECE, MASc. 9T0) with the Gold Medal Award.

In 1992, Julie Payette was selected by the Canadian Space Agency as one of four astronauts from a field of 5,330 applicants. She worked as a technical advisor for the Mobile Servicing System and flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1999. She served as Chief Astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007, and visited the space station again in 2009 as a Mission Specialist aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. Julie Payette is a member of the Ordre National du Québec and holds 14 honorary degrees.

Julie Payette is one of six members of the U of T engineering community to receive Engineers Canada awards this year.

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This video was shown at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Vancouver on May 29, 2010.  Video courtesy of Engineers Canada.

Mike Klassen (EngSci 1T0) is one of two students who received the Student Gold Medal Award from Engineers Canada. Like Jane Chui (EngSci 1T0), the other award recipient, Mike has shown incredible leadership as an engineering student. Mike served as Co-President of U of T’s Engineers Without Borders chapter, and played a key part in the creation of the Faculty’s new Energy Systems Engineering program and the Centre for Global Engineering. He also participated in the development of the Faculty’s “Promise to Future Generations.” In 2009, Mike spent three months in Zambia, assisting in projects to improve sanitation and reduce disease in the region.

Mike Klassen is one of six members of the U of T engineering community to receive Engineers Canada awards this year.

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This video was shown at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Vancouver on May 29, 2010.  Video courtesy of Engineers Canada.

Along with fellow student,  Mike Klassen (EngSci 1T0), Jane Chui (EngSci 1T0) received the Student Gold Medal Award. As an active member of the University community, Jane is involved in the NSight Mentor Program and the Asian University for Women’s Cybermentor Program. Jane also co-created the Faculty’s Peer Support Initiative to raise awareness of and promote mental health within the engineering community. She also founded the Citizen Engineer student club, dedicated to encouraging engineering students to become more involved in public policy.

Jane is one of six members of the U of T engineering community to receive Engineers Canada awards this year.

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This video was shown at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Vancouver on May 29, 2010.  Video courtesy of Engineers Canada.

Engineers Canada awarded Professor Greg Evans (ChemE) with the Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education. Greg Evans is the Director of the Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research and founding co-Director of the Leaders of Tomorrow program. Professor Evans has served as Chair of First Year and Vice-Dean, Undergraduate. In these roles, he led the redevelopment of the curriculum to integrate skills in design and communication into engineering courses. His contributions have been recognized with the Teacher of the Year Award from chemical engineering and the Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award from U of T. Greg Evans is one of six members of the U of T engineering community to receive Engineers Canada awards this year. Click here to return to the main article.

This video was shown at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Vancouver on May 29, 2010.  Video courtesy of Engineers Canada.

Professor Constantin Christopoulos (CivE) recently won the Young Engineer Achievement Award from Engineers Canada for his leadership and dedication to the field of engineering.

At an age when many researchers are just beginning their careers, Constantin Christopoulos is already recognized as a leader in his field. He has led development of a new damping system that significantly improves the response of high-rise buildings to wind and seismic loading. This system is expected to result in more cost-effective designs and increase the safety of our infrastructure. In 2008, Professor Christopoulos received the Young Engineer Medal from the Professional Engineers of Ontario.

Professor Christopoulos is one of six members of the U of T engineering community to receive Engineers Canada awards this year.

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