To our U of T Engineering community,
The entire U of T community is shaken by the devastating war that has unfolded in Israel and Gaza over the weekend. I have heard from many students, staff, faculty and alumni who are deeply concerned for family, friends and colleagues in the region. I share in your sorrow and concern.
I encourage everyone to check in on each other, engage in respectful dialogue and seek support if you are feeling overwhelmed. The Faculty’s Mental Health & Wellness page outlines several resources for different groups within U of T Engineering and across U of T, as well as information on how to connect with our Mental Health Programs Officer. I’d like to highlight a few resources here:
- Students can connect with 24/7 support through U of T Telus Health Student Support
- Undergraduates with academic concerns should connect with their departmental academic advisor (upper-year students) or their first year academic advisor
- Undergraduates may also seek community among affiliated engineering student groups
- Graduate students can contact their departmental graduate administrators
- Staff and faculty can access the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- All community members are welcome to connect with Marisa Sterling, Assistant Dean, Diversity, Inclusion & Professionalism or leverage the confidential disclosure process
- Each Friday, the Engineering Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Group meets to discuss culture and inclusion among an engaged group of peers — all at U of T Engineering are welcome to join
- Students across U of T are also welcome to attend the Grief Support Sharing Circle, led by clinicians and campus chaplains
Many in our community are impacted in different ways by this conflict. As the University continues to monitor the situation closely, it is important that our actions are guided with compassion and kindness.
Take care,
Chris Yip
Dean
From the Office of the Vice-President & Provost
From: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Date: October 6, 2023
Re: Reappointment of Professor Christopher Yip as Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering (PDAD&C #13)
I am pleased to announce that the Agenda Committee of Academic Board has approved the reappointment of Professor Christopher Yip for a five-year term from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029.
Under his leadership, the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering is the #1 engineering school in Canada. His expansion of research supports, the launch of interdivisional interdisciplinary certificates with Public Health, and the Munk School of Public Policy, and further engagement in Tri-Campus initiatives like the Tri-Campus Partnership on co-op internships, and the newly launched Global Leadership Minor are all part of his investment in research, learning and innovation inside and outside of Engineering. His strategy of diversification of partnerships, internationally and with corporations is demonstrated through the University of Toronto Electric Vehicle Research Centre partnership with Porsche and new offerings such as Artificial Intelligence Engineering. Also known for his advocacy of the profession, Professor Yip maintained a vibrant, engaged Engineering community through the pandemic.
Professor Yip is an internationally renowned scholar for his work on molecular imaging. He has received numerous honours and awards, including the Premier’s Research Excellence Award, the Faculty of Medicine Graduate Faculty Teaching Award for sustained contributions to excellence in teaching, and a Tier II Canada Research Chair Award in molecular imaging. Professor Yip is also a fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Previously, Professor Yip has served as Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships, and Director of the Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering. As Associate Vice-President and as Director of IBBME, Professor Yip made strategic advances for the University, leading to the creation of new awards and funding opportunities.
Professor Yip received his BASc from the University of Toronto and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto, Professor Yip was a research scientist at Dupont Canada and held a postdoctoral fellowship at Eli Lilly and Company.
Professor Yip’s leadership, commitment to students, and dedication to the profession will be key to the continued success of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering in the years ahead. Please join me in congratulating Professor Yip on this reappointment.
Professor Glenn Hibbard’s first term as Chair, Department of Material Science & Engineering, ends on June 30, 2024; he is eligible for reappointment. In accordance with the Policy on Appointment of Academic Administrators, we will be commencing the process to seek approval of an Advisory Committee to the Dean on the appointment of a Chair, Department of Material Science & Engineering.
The Committee should normally be composed as follows:
- the Dean of the Faculty;
- three to five members of the teaching staff of the department;
- the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies or representative;
- one or two members of cognate departments;
- one or two students;
- a Vice-Dean of the Faculty, where appropriate;
- a librarian, where appropriate; and
- in addition, the committee may include an alumnus/a, a member of the administrative staff and, in the case of professional faculties or schools, a senior member of the
- appropriate professional community.
I would appreciate receiving nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee by November 15, 2023. Please forward all nominations to the attention of the Dean (dean.engineering@utoronto.ca).
Thank you for your input.