A Message from Dean, Cristina Amon
As a part of our on-going commitment to excellence, and prompted by the Provost’s commission of our External Review in May, we initiated our comprehensive Faculty Self-Study. Through this consultative and broad-based process, we critically reflect upon our collective achievements and assess our Faculty-wide academic and administrative performance.
Over the past 18 months, we have analyzed data across a variety of metrics and created the inaugural Faculty Annual Report based on the resulting performance indicators. The Report presents data from 2008-2009 and compares them with both historical data from the Faculty and from peer institutions. Through data-evaluation and critical analyses, we set the milestones by which we measure our progress. The Self-Study incorporates many of these metrics to assess our Faculty, reflect on our achievements and identify areas which require improvement.
The Self-Study also provides the foundations of our Academic Planning process. In our next Engineering Newsletter we will share more on the Academic Plan within the University’s Towards 2030 strategic initiative and as a part of the cycle of reviews and planning.
Thank you to everyone who has so far contributed to the Self-Study. I now invite you to review and comment on draft sections, including Undergraduate Studies, Research, Graduate Studies, Diversity, Resources/Organizational Structure and External Relations, available at http://www.engineering.utoronto.ca/about/dean/selfstudy.htm. As we complete more sections, they will be posted throughout February. We welcome your feedback by March 5, 2010. Written comments may also be sent to input.engineering@ecf.utoronto.ca.
February 10, 2010
Volume 3, Issue 9
In this issue:
Self-study
What's New
Honours and Awards
Research
Governance
Engineering Events
In the News
Engineering Self-Study
The Faculty Self-Study process began in the fall of 2009. We have collected and synthesized data and we are currently drafting each section of the Self-Study. This is an inclusive and consultative process because it presents our collective story. To that end, we have already consulted several groups, including Chairs and Directors, Undergraduate Student Leaders, Standing Committees of the Faculty Council, Outreach and Recruitment, Associate Chairs and Associate Directors, Presidents of Engineering Graduate student groups, members of the University’s Central Administration, Faculty Innovation Administrative Team, Registrar’s Office and Undergraduate Counsellors. The production of the Faculty Self-Study was prompted by the Provost’s commission of our External Review. Prior to their visit on May 5-6, 2010, our three External Reviewers will receive the Self-Study as their primary reference document for their consultations and assessment of our activities. The members of the review team are:
During their visit, the reviewers will receive input from faculty, staff and students when they asses a number of aspects of our Faculty. The review will consider the quality, size and scope of our academic activities, research activities, interdisciplinary activities, our external relationships within the University and more broadly with organizations, government and industry. The reviewers will also take into account the appropriateness and effectiveness of our financial and organizational structure, the scope and nature of our diversity and an over-all assessment of our strengths, social impact and opportunities as Faculty, compared to national and international peer institutions. In addition to these purposes, the Self-Study will serve as a foundational document for our current Faculty Academic Planning exercise, implemented within the context of the University’s broad Toward 2030 strategic initiative. Our next Engineering Newsletter will share more on the Academic Plan within the University’s cycle of reviews and planning. To consider the Self-Study process, the Dean struck the following Self-Study Working Group: Cristina Amon, Dean The Working Group constructed an outline of the Self-Study and gathered preliminary feedback from the respective constituencies. Members continue to develop draft sections of the document for review and input from our Faculty-wide audience. |
What's New
Fire Alarms
When you hear the alarm, UT Fire Prevention asks: evacuate building immediately, do not wait, do not question
New 'Math, Stats and Finance' Major Approved for Engineering Science
January 12 AP&P approved new Option; first Canadian program of its kind
Leaders of Tomorrow Program Hosts Mayor David Miller
Mayor Miller shares vision of 'engineering the city'; students filled Blue Room to hear seminar
CEMI Seminar Brings Theory and Practice to Life
Lassonde Institute, NSERC colaborate to bring leading industry on-campus; over 80 attendees participate in mining talks
Wood pellets displace conventional fossil fuels
Professor Heather MacLean (CivE) investigates alternative fuel sources; findings show 91% reduction in greenhouse gasses
Tech Tip: End-of-Day Computer Refresh
While we are encouraged to shut down our computers at the end of each work day to conserve energy, not everyone follows this practice. If your computer remains on for two or more days, it slows down and misses important updates. For those (few) who leave their computers on, restart your computer before you leave the office. This will ensure your computer will be refreshed and ready for another busy day.
Do you have a Tech Tip to share? Do you have a Tech Tip question? Contact us.
Previous Tech Tips can be found here.
Honours and Awards
Save the date: Celebrating Success 2010
Dean Cristina Amon invites all staff and faculty members to join her on April 22, 2010 for a reception to recognize the outstanding achievements of our Faculty and celebrate another successful academic year. We will also take this opportunity to honour the recipients of our staff and teaching awards, as well as the new McCharles Fellow.
April 22, 2010 | 4-6 p.m. | Michael E. Charles Council Chamber (GB202)
Please RSVP by Monday, April 12 to Carolyn Farrell
Phone: 416-978-8666 / Email: carolyn.farrell@utoronto.ca
Professor and Alumnus Receive Order of Ontario
Levente Diosady (ChemE) and alumnus Paul Godfrey (ChemE 6T2) are among the 29 Ontarians appointed to the Order of Ontario, province's highest honour
Two Professors Receive Society of Chemical Industry Awards
Elizabeth Edwards (ChemE) and Paul Santerre (IBBME) honoured for significant contributions to chemical industry
Research
Chul Park and research network receive NSERC Strategic Network Grant
Professor Chul Park (MIE) receives $5-million grant; collaborative research to develop innovative plastics, enhance Canada's economy
Funding Opportunities
NSERC Strategic Research Grants – Deadline: April 15, 2010
NSERC Strategic Research Networks – Deadline: May 1, 2010
NSERC Representative Fund – Open Call
NSERC and NSC in Taiwan – Calls for Proposals for Joint Research Projects – Deadline: April 30, 2010
Governance
Reminder to place future Faculty Council dates in your calendar
Feb. 24, 2010 | May 26, 2010
Time: 12:10 - 2:00 p.m. | All meetings take place in the Michael E. Charles Council Chamber (GB202).
Engineering Events |
| February 12 February 12 February 16 February 22 February 24 March 1 March 3 |
F!rosh Friday: Engineers in Medical School |
In the News
PRISM magazine explores the brains behind 'user friendly'
Greg Jamieson (MIE) applies cognitive engineering in human response to technology
Alumnus appointed to Board of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
William Deluce (ChemE 7T1) recognized for distinguished career in aviation; supports work of federal Crown corporation
Modiface application for FBI, security agencies
Age progression program expedites security checks. Parham Arabi's (ECE) visualization firm highlighted in nextgov
Toronto tech firm turns mental energy into profitable process of illumination
Globe and Mail discusses Steve Mann's (ECE) compnay, InterxXon; brainwave sensors used in bright ideas
UTIAS professor partners with Clearpath Robotics
Clearpath Robotics and Tim Barfoot (UTIAS) collaborate in project for unmanned lunar research vehicle
Newsletter Archives
Did you miss a past issue of the Engineering Newsletter? Revisit past articles and catch up on Faculty news on the Engineering homepage.
The Engineering Newsletter is a twice-monthly summary of key headlines, events and opportunities for faculty and staff in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. If you have questions or comments, please contact: dean.engineering@ecf.utoronto.ca.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/uoftengineering