Blues and Gold

Over the past century, University of Toronto Varsity Blues teams have won every major Canadian sporting championship. Several hundred student athletes have qualified for Olympic, International University Sports Federation (FISU), Commonwealth and Pan Am games.

From past chemical engineering student Jeffrey Buttle’s bronze win at the 2006 Winter Olympics to current civil engineering PhD student Donna Vakalis’s participation in the Pentathlon in the 2012 Summer Olympics, U of  T Engineering students have contributed to a culture of excellence in sports at the University. This year alone, over 70 U of T Engineering student athletes are participating in 23 sports on 44 Varsity teams.

At an early morning event on November 12, the Varsity Blues celebrated athletes who have achieved exceptional academic status (>3.50 GPA). Of those honoured, 25 engineering student athletes were recognized. Frank Despond (Mech 1T5) was named the top U of T Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) male scholar athlete for a second year in a row. When asked how it felt to receive the award, Despond said, “For the first few years, I struggled. Over time, I learned the best way to balance my studies and my training. There were rough patches at the beginning, but I figured it out. Because of that, this award is a real honour.”

This month, the Engineering Student e-News is shining a spotlight on our Varsity athletes whose ability and dedication to both academics and sport make them ambassadors for the Faculty and University. Support your Engineering student athletes by attending a game or meet this year. Go Blues!

November 2014

Volume 6, Issue 3
In this issue:

Varsity Life
Dates and Deadlines
Student Services
Money Matters
Campus Life
In the News
Your Faculty

Varsity Life

Dates and Deadlines

Student Services

2014 Fall Session exam schedule

Engineering exams for the Fall 2014 Session are scheduled from December 5 - 19. Exam rule reminder: at a U of T exam, it's not just a cellphone, it's an unauthorized aid. Unless otherwise stated, electronic devices are not allowed at U of T exams. Possession is punishable under the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. Once turned off, cellphones and other electronic devices may be placed in a bag (paper, transparent plastic or non-transparent plastic) under his or her desk.

Beyond your undergrad degree: grad school information session

Have a profession in mind that requires additional knowledge and expertise? Tap your potential. Consider graduate studies at the University of Toronto. To learn more, register to attend this November 19 session

Undergraduate Engineering Wellness Group

Feel overwhelmed and disconnected from others in your program? Are you an international student having difficulty adjusting to your new surroundings? Attend this helpful session

2015 Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Awards

This award is open to registered part- or full-time students in their fourth year of studies who will graduate in either November 2014 or June 2015. Details, deadlines, and the application will become available in the coming weeks

Money Matters

OSAP

A "Confirmation of Student Income" form will be made available on your online OSAP account. This form must be completed to report any changes in income. If there are no changes to report, it is not necessary to complete the form. The Ministry will correspond with students directly; however, it's highly recommended students check their OSAP account in late November for details

University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students (UTAPS)
A second round of UTAPS will be assessed in mid-to-late November. After the deduction of tuition fees, any remaining UTAPS balance will be deposited into your bank account by Student Accounts. Please ensure you have set up direct deposit on SWS/ROSI. Effective for the 2014-2015 academic year, out-of-province students may now apply for UTAPS funding online. Applications close November 30

The online Engineering Portfolio (ePortfolio)
Record your extracurricular activities and store your resume in your ePortfolio. The Faculty's Scholarships Committee considers this information when selecting recipients for awards. Leadership qualities are also used to consider potential candidates for awards outside the Faculty

External Scholarships and Awards
Listed below are a number of external awards. If you feel like you qualify for any of the awards, you're strongly encouraged to submit applications. If you have any questions, or require assistance with your application, please contact Assistant Registrar, Scholarships and Financial Aid, Pierina Filippone at 416-978-4159, pierina@ecf.utoronto.ca or in GB157

CEMF Engineering Scholarships
The Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation (CEMF) offers scholarships in engineering to young women who demonstrate exceptional leadership and are volunteers in their communities. The scholarships, of varying amounts, have an application deadline of January 16, 2015. Candidates may only apply for one CEMF award. For details and applications, visit CEMF's scholarships page

Killam Fellowships Program
Available to Canadian undergraduate students who want to study for one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the United States. Deadline: February 2, 2015. Additional details and the application are available online

2015 Minerva Canada James Ham Safe Design Awards
The awards go to students who make unique and original contributions to the integration of safety into engineering design. Open to all undergraduate engineering students registered in Canadian universities. First prize is $3,500 and the second prize is valued at $1,500. Deadline: January 30, 2015. For more information, visit Minerva

Top 20 Under 20 Award
This prestigious national award is open to all Canadian citizens or permanent residents under the age of 20 as of December 31, 2014. Additional details and the application will be available online shortly

2015 3M National Student Fellowship
The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and 3M are pleased to announce their 2015 3M National Student Fellowship, valued at $5,000. The fellowship is open to second and third year students in full-time studies. Deadline: January 12, 2015. If you are interested in applying, please contact Estelle Oliva-Fisher. Additional details are available online, but you're strongly encouraged to connect with Estelle prior to submitting an application

Campus Life

Polyanyi Conference on Science and Social Responsibility

On November 15, hear Dr. John C. Polanyi speak and engage in a meaningful and informed discussion about nuclear weapons and their role in Canadian society

How's it growing, Skule?
Movember is back at U of T. Join Skule's Movember team to raise awareness about men's health

Community Kitchen at Hart House
Hungry for social change? On November 18, Feast on engaging lectures on social justice issues and a wholesome meal

Soldier's Tower Memorial Room opening hours
From 1:00 - 3 p.m. on November 21, the Soldier's Tower war memorial will be open to visitors

Would you like to become more calm, confident and connected?

Join weekly opportunities Mondays through Thursdays to practice secular mindfulness meditation techniques

Life Management Series: stress management

Space is limited, so register early for this special workshop designed to help empower students to find a better balance between school and caring for others

In the News

Toronto is quickly becoming Canada's hub for high-tech startups

From e-transportation to virtual reality healthcare: how Toronto is fostering a healthy technology sector (Global News)

A new way to get around: the electric hybrid prototype

Two PhD candidates at U of T have come up with a smarter way for city-dwellers to commute (The Varsity)

Skin printing just got faster, cheaper and smaller

PrintAlive, a 3D skin printer developed by U of T Engineering students, garners the 2014 James Dyson Award for Canada (Fast Company)

Your Faculty

Engineering professor opens new Icewire Makerspace for youth and adults

Electrical and computer engineering professor David Johns is taking a leave of absence from teaching in hopes of inspiring young people to pursue science, technology, and engineering studies at a post-secondary level

U of T Engineering launches unique collaborative program in engineering education

EngEd, offered by the U of T Engineering and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, is Canada's first collaborative program in engineering education for masters and PhD students

Three new Canada Research Chairs for U of T Engineering

In October, professors Aimy Bazylak (MIE), Elizabeth Edwards (ChemE), and Goldie Nejat (MIE) were named Canada Research Chairs along with ten other University of Toronto faculty

Tissue engineering pioneer Michael Sefton named to the U.S. Institute of Medicine

ChemE and IBBME University Professor Michael Sefton received a rare honour bestowed upon few Canadian scientists and engineers

U of T Engineering dispels myths about grad studies at Graduate Fair

To pursue graduate studies or not to pursue graduate studies: that is the question discussed at the second annual University of Toronto Engineering Graduate Fair

Newsletter Archives

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The Engineering Student e-News is a monthly summary of key headlines, events and opportunities for students in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. If you have questions or comments, please contact us: registrar@ecf.utoronto.ca.

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