York University President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, John Milloy, Ontario minister of training, colleges & universities, together with Mario Sergio, MPP for York West, announced a $50 million capital investment yesterday for a new engineering building at York’s Keele campus.
One of the largest expansions in the University’s history, the project is expected to have an important impact on the future academic landscape of the University.
"We are extremely pleased that the Ontario government is investing in a technologically-advanced engineering complex at York University,” said President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “Building on York’s traditional strengths in the humanities, social sciences, law and business, this initiative, while meeting our aspirations to expand in applied science, will provide us with the opportunity to train future innovators who will develop solutions for our growing challenges.”
Engineering has featured in academic plans since the University was founded in 1959. The investment paves the way to an expanded engineering program consistent with the University’s traditional emphasis on disciplinary richness, collaboration and transformation.
Left: York West MPP Mario Sergio shakes hands with John Milloy, Ontario's minister for training, colleges and universities, after announcing that York would receive $50 million in capital investment from the province for a new engineering and science building
“Investing in state-of-the-art sustainable buildings like the new engineering building at York’s Keele Campus is vital to Ontario’s future economic growth,” said Milloy. “Our government’s support for applied sciences and teaching facilities has created jobs, while giving researchers and students the tools they need to become the best in the world.”
Yesterday's announcement was part of the Ontario government's "Putting Students First" agenda which will see some 60,000 new spaces created in the province's universities and colleges. "York University is one of the fastest growing universities in Canada and it is situated in one of the fastest growing communities in Canada," said Milloy.
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Above: The announcement gets an enthusiastic endorsement from York engineering students, faculty, staff and administration, MPP John Milloy (centre) and representatives from Professional Engineers Ontario |
The creation of a new building is the most significant component of York University’s plan to meet the need for engineering graduates in Ontario’s growing knowledge-based creative economy.
The Faculty of Science and Engineering at York currently offers an accredited and high quality suite of engineering streams in computer science, geomatics and space. York’s Space Engineering stream is the only undergraduate program of its kind in Canada with a unique research relationship with Canadian Space Agency and the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) in the US.
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Starting in September 2011, Software Engineering will be available to students. The Ontario government funding will enable York to further expand to a more comprehensive School of Engineering.
Left: Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering
“York University’s School of Engineering will embrace a Global Engineering concept. It will be based on the three pillars characterizing 21st century engineering − cooperative education & industry partnerships, entrepreneurship & leadership, and global learning,” said Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering.
Future announcements around the construction plans and design will be made throughout 2011.