Celebrating our Inclusive Community
Engineering is a human discipline. Diversity deepens the engineering process: more voices around the table enable better solutions that work for everyone.
We are committed to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion across our faculty and within our profession as a whole, so that we can fully reflect the societies that we serve.
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A blueprint for success
Every year, Black high school students passionate about science, technology, engineering and math come to U of T Engineering to expand their horizons through Blueprint, a four-week Engineering Outreach program that introduces students to the engineering design process.
Through hands-on activities, collaborative projects and enriching course offerings, students learn more about the many possibilities of an engineering career.
For many, this is just the beginning of their journey. Participants are connected with mentors and continue their engagement with U of T Engineering over their next school year through the Prepare program and My Academic Planning sessions. To date, 12 graduates of the Blueprint program have joined U of T Engineering as undergraduates, with many more expected to join in the fall of 2024.
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Strengthening mental health supports
The health and well-being of our students is our top priority. We provide robust supports so that all students are set up to thrive in our dynamic environment.
Launched in September 2021, the Skule™ Mental Health Bursary has become an important source of support for U of T Engineering students, allowing them to access counselling, workshops, peer support groups, resource guides, medication, assistive devices and more. To further enhance the fund, both the Engineering Society (EngSoc) and Dean Christopher Yip pledged to match all contributions received this year, tripling the impact of each gift.
We also kicked off the academic year by engaging more than 250 students in important conversations about mental health issues and the resources available to them through the Build U Up event.
“People might think that engineering, due to its technical nature, is somehow immune to issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, but certainly it is not. Engineers, like everyone, are impacted by these issues, and they also have a direct impact on them through their work.”
– Professor Dionne Aleman (MIE), Associate Dean of Cross-Disciplinary Programs
Making space for important conversations
Growing up in a family with strong ties to engineering, Taleen Kutob (Year 2 IndE) often turned to her sisters Layan Kutob (IndE 1T2 + PEY, MIE MEng 1T4) and Dareen Kutob (IndE 1T7 + PEY, MIE MEng 2T2) and brother Kazem Kutob (IndE 1T3 + PEY) for support.
Hoping to create a safe space for other women in engineering to ask questions and seek advice, Taleen and Layan moderated a public conversation on International Women’s Day. This event was supported by the U of T student chapter of Women in Science and Engineering and the Engineering Alumni Office.
“Hearing these stories is especially important for women in engineering spaces where they may not feel welcome. We want them to feel less alone in their journey,” says Taleen.
Celebrating Pride at U of T Engineering
For many years, U of T Engineering’s Blue & Gold Committee and QueerSphere have partnered on building a float for the Toronto Pride Parade.
Hear from some of the students who constructed the float in the video at left and check out our photo gallery from the parade, held Sunday, June 30, 2024
Blues Engineering: a winning idea
Through coordinated study sessions, peer tutoring and other academic supports, the student-run Blues Engineering has created a supportive community for all U of T Engineering varsity athletes. Their goal? Making sure all student athletes succeed on and off the field.
Taking action on violence against women
On December 6, U of T Engineering students unveiled their monument honouring the 14 women who were killed in the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989.
“It is our responsibility as students to encourage action and awareness to improve inclusion,” says Rebecca Ing (Year 3 MSE), who co-led the construction of the installation.
Certificate in Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
In September 2023, U of T Engineering launched its new certificate in Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering. The program enables undergraduate students to deepen their understanding of intersectional issues relating to race, gender, identity and bias, and how they impact the development and deployment of new technologies in society.
Awards & Honours
In 2024, U of T Engineering professors represented 5.7% of the total Canadian engineering professoriate, but earned 15.7% of the national and international awards for which these faculty members are eligible.
Milica Radisic (BME, ChemE), Humboldt Research prize winner and Fellow, National Academy of Inventors
J.J. Garcia-Luna-Aceves (ECE), Canadian Excellence Research Chair and recipient of the IEEE Harry H. Goode Memorial Award
Alison Olechowski (MIE, ISTEP), Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Award
Bryan Karney (CivMin), Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award
Frank Gu (ChemE), winner, 2023 Brockhouse Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering