American Concrete Institute (ACI) – University of Toronto Chapter
Biomedical Engineering Students Association (BESA)
The Biomedical Engineering Student Association (BESA) is a student-led organization that aims to build an actively engaging community for BME graduate students by organizing social, academic, professional, and community events. Serving as the voice of the BME students, BESA’s ultimate mission is to achieve a growing and entertaining student life both academically and socially.
Key Accomplishments for 2025-2026
Toronto Biomedical Engineering Conference (ToBE) 2026
BESA utilized CPSIF funding to organize ToBE 2026 at Hart House on May 25th, the university's longest-running student-led biomedical conference. The initiative reunited the distributed BME community, showcasing graduate research to peer networks and three world-renowned keynote speakers: Dr. John A. Rogers, Dr. Amy Herr, and Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novaković. Funding directly enhanced the digital infrastructure, updated the website license, provided student award plaques, and delivered custom conference merchandise, directly driving academic engagement.
BESA utilized CPSIF funding to organize ToBE 2026 at Hart House on May 25th, the university's longest-running student-led biomedical conference. The initiative reunited the distributed BME community, showcasing graduate research to peer networks and three world-renowned keynote speakers: Dr. John A. Rogers, Dr. Amy Herr, and Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novaković. Funding directly enhanced the digital infrastructure, updated the website license, provided student award plaques, and delivered custom conference merchandise, directly driving academic engagement.
BESA Graduate Orientation Week
Held in early September, this multi-day initiative integrated incoming and returning graduate students who otherwise conduct research isolated across distinct Toronto sites. Led by the VP Events team, programming included an annual BBQ, bowling, and trivia nights, culminating in a Blue Jays game ticket raffle. The CPSIF grant fully subsidized all food and non-alcoholic beverages, successfully removing financial barriers, establishing critical peer support structures, and fostering departmental cohesion from day one.
Cross-Association and Student Wellness Programming
Throughout the winter term, BESA executed targeted community-building events to support student mental and physical health. This included high-impact collaborative pub and game nights with peer associations (PSGSA and CEGSA) to expand interdisciplinary networks. Furthermore, BESA introduced dedicated wellness initiatives, including Pilates sessions and skating events. These programs provided a crucial creative and athletic outlet during peak academic stress periods, structurally shifting BESA’s focus toward holistic graduate student wellbeing.
CPSIF Funding Impact
CPSIF funding was instrumental in enhancing the BME graduate experience by eliminating financial barriers for our community. Because of this support, we offered all Orientation Week social events free of charge, ensuring incoming students connected across disparate Toronto research sites. Additionally, this funding allowed us to invest in high-quality infrastructure for our flagship conference, ToBE 2026, by securing updated web licensing, student award plaques, and keynote recognition. We extend our sincere gratitude to BME and the Engineering Alumni Association; your investment directly fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, student wellness, and professional growth across UofT.
Trivia Night at Prenup Pub, part of our O-Week events. Photographer: President Reke Ferdinand Avkipe.
Arcade Night, the second day of O-week activities. Photographer unknown.
Our final O-Week event, where members attended a Toronto Blue Jays game. Tickets were won through an online raffle, to engage members with our social media. Photographer unknown
Board game night, hosted collaboratively with the Chemical Engineering Graduate Students Association on campus. Photographer Nicholas Fok, VP Events.
Pub night with the Pharmaceutical Science Graduate Student Association at Firkin on Bay Street pub. Photographer unknown.
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