To our U of T Engineering community
I’m delighted to welcome you back to Skule™! Each September brings renewal, and this year I feel that energy more than ever as I look forward to seeing all our students, staff and faculty back on campus.
When we’re together in person, we get to do what we do best here at U of T Engineering: learn from each other, work as a team and create new things. Our interactions spark ideas, improve designs, launch projects and strengthen relationships, and together we celebrate our many successes.
I know it hasn’t been easy getting to this point and we’ve all faced unexpected challenges over the past few years, whether academically, professionally or personally. For many of our students, arriving in Toronto has been more difficult than usual. Let’s take a moment to appreciate that we’ve made it this far — that alone is a testament to our resilience. There will continue to be twists and turns on the path ahead, and you may stumble: when you do, there is help, and I’m including a list of supports below.
A reminder that the University remains a mask-friendly environment, and we encourage masking, especially indoors where physical distancing isn’t possible. We also have a responsibility to respect the decisions, comfort levels and health needs of our colleagues and classmates. Engineering is a tight-knit community: let’s choose to show each other kindness and support as we embark on this new term together.
Finally, a word of reassurance: the year ahead will be a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourselves, take breaks and try to find balance. I look forward to continuing to check in with you in the coming months.
My best wishes for a successful Fall Term — can’t wait to see you.
Chris
Christopher Yip
Dean
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
University of Toronto
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Support Resources for Students
U of T My Student Support Program (MySSP)
Immediate and/or ongoing confidential, free, 24-hour counselling support available in several languages
- 1-844-451-9700 (outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578)
- Download the My SSP app: Apple App Store | Google Play
Campus Chaplains offer spiritual care in times of stress, anxiety or grief
U of T St. George Health & Wellness
Physical & mental health care by physicians, nurses, counsellors and psychologists
- 416-978-8030
U of T Engineering Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health learning opportunities, COVID-related resources, reports, services & supports for U of T Engineering
Student Mental Health Resources
U of T’s mental health resource hub containing the tools, strategies and experts to meet you exactly where you are on your mental health journey
Support Resources for Staff and Faculty
For staff and faculty who are supporting students navigating mental health challenges, the U of T Engineering Student Well-Being Resource Guide outlines additional considerations and a variety of resources for both you and the student. We thank you in advance for all the ways that you continue to foster a culture of care and support here at U of T Engineering.
U of T staff and faculty members have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). If you are experiencing distress, please reach out at any time — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year — by contacting the EFAP at:
- Phone (Toll-free) 1-855-597-2110
- Online: https://login.lifeworks.com/
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Aimy Bazylak as Interim Director of the Division of Engineering Science for a term of six-months, effective July 1, 2022.
Aimy joined the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in 2008, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2013, and to full Professor in 2018. She is the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Thermofluidics for Clean Energy.
From 2015-2018, Aimy served as Director of the University of Toronto Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE). Since 2016 she has served as the Option Chair, Engineering Science Energy Option, and most recently has served as Associate Chair, Research and Associate Chair, Years 3 and 4 in the Division of Engineering Science. In 2021, Aimy served as Acting Vice-Dean Undergraduate for a six-month term.
Please join me in in expressing gratitude to Aimy for serving in this important leadership role for the Faculty.
On behalf of the Faculty, I also extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to Professor Will Cluett for his leadership of Engineering Science these past 3 years. His dedication to the success of the Division, Faculty and indeed the University has been a constant feature of his leadership, even during the most challenging days of the pandemic. Thank you, Will.
I am pleased to announce that Professor Jun Nogami of the Department of Materials Science & Engineering has been acclaimed as the Speaker of Faculty Council for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, beginning July 1, 2022. We are grateful to Professor Nogami for his commitment and leadership within the Faculty.
We express our deep gratitude to Professor Javad Mostaghimi for his exemplary service as Council Speaker since 2020. In particular, Professor Mostaghimi’s tireless leadership during Covid as we moved from in person to online to hybrid Council meetings is very much appreciated.