Best of 2023 | Best of YU

91��ɫ Rankings Show Positive Momentum Among World Stage

clazo — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

It is no secret that 91��ɫ is rapidly building momentum on the world stage and the latest rankings, from respected global rankings like Times Higher Ed Impact Ranking, to QS World University Ranking, to Maclean’s annual Canadian university rankings, show the University’s reputation continues to shine.

Guided by a University Academic Plan that strives to both inspire and deliver positive change, 91��ɫ’s high-quality academic programming, transformative interdisciplinary research, and welcoming multi-campus experience continue to position 91��ɫ as a leader in post-secondary education in Canada and around the world.

Annual university rankings are a go-to source of information for prospective students and their parents and other influencers when exploring post-secondary education and future career options.

With an impressive fourth place ranking – up one spot over last year – in Maclean’s Canada’s Best Comprehensive Universities category, 91��ɫ also posted top five results in key areas of evaluation, including: faculty awards, medical/science grants, and scholarships and bursaries.

The University continues its upward momentum in global rankings, including , from its previous place in the 401-500 band over the previous two years.

91��ɫ’s impressive performance was also recognized in the 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings which saw 91��ɫ rise 103 spots to 353rd in the world – a 25-per-cent improvement in the University’s standing over the past eight years.

91��ɫ’s performance is further underscored by the latest THE Impact Rankings, which clearly showcase the University’s commitment to sustainable development, reflected in the global top 40 result.

91��ɫ Awards Honorary Degrees to Outstanding Leaders Recognized as Exemplary Changemakers

clazo — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 08:38:00 +0000

91��ɫ applauds positive changemakers at this year’s convocation ceremonies, awarding outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to society.

The following four most recent awardees were presented with honorary doctor of laws degrees for their exemplary work in their respective fields and for creating positive change for their communities.

Itah Sadu, an international, award-winning storyteller and bestselling children’s author whose work has been translated into various languages, is dynamic entrepreneur and community builder. With her husband, she co-owns the independent bookstore A Different Booklist, a Toronto destination specializing in African and Caribbean-Canadian literature and diverse resources from around the world.

She is also a founder of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, formerly known as A Different Booklist Cultural Centre. Her innovation has brought Toronto the annual Walk With Excellence and the Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride in collaboration with the Toronto Transit Commission.

Wes Hall is the Chair and founder of WeShall Investments, a private equity firm with a diverse portfolio of companies predominantly supporting Black, Indigenous and people of colour entrepreneurs. Hall comes from humble beginnings having grown up in a plantation worker’s shack in Jamaica, one of several children supported by his grandmother.

A staunch philanthropist, Hall is deeply committed to creating positive community change. He founded the ambitious and highly successful BlackNorth Initiative to help end systemic anti-Black racism in Canada and was named the Canadian Business Leader of 2022 by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Hall is also the author of the bestselling memoir, , launched a podcast with the Toronto Star, “Between Us with Wes Hall,” and is on the hit CBC series “Dragons’ Den.”

Andromache Karakatsanis, an alumna of 91��ɫ’s Osgoode Hall School, is the longest serving justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. She was appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 2002 and to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2010, before her current appointment in 2011.

Previous roles include Chair and chief executive officer of the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario, assistant deputy attorney general and secretary for native affairs, and as deputy attorney general. Throughout her career, Karakatsanis has volunteered extensively and served on the boards of many community and professional associations. She has been recognized with numerous medals and awards in her profession and community.

Nnimmo Bassey, architect, poet and environmental activist, is one of Africa’s leading advocates and campaigners for the environment and human rights. He founded Nigeria’s first environmental rights organization which inspired activists to stand up against the malpractices of multinational corporations and led to the formation of Oilwatch International, a network resisting fossil fuel expansion in the Global South. He is also director of the ecological think tank based in Nigeria.

He is a co-recipient of the 2010 , also known as the “alternative Nobel Prize” and in 2012, he received the In addition, Bassey was awarded with Nigeria’s national honour, Member of the Federal Republic, in 2014 and became a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects the same year. His books include To Cook a Continent – Destructive Extraction and the Climate Crisis in Africa, Oil Politics – Echoes of Ecological War and I will Not Dance to Your Beat (poetry).

91��ɫ Welcomes Largest Academic Gathering in Canada to Tackle DEDI, Sustainability, and More

clazo — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ celebrated its commitment to create positive change as host to Congress 2023, the annual red-circle event for social sciences and humanities scholars that took place at 91��ɫ’s Keele and Glendon Campuses this past spring.

Held over six days in May, 9,000+ scholars, graduate students, policymakers and community members pooled their expertise as part of the largest academic gathering in Canada — identifying and discussing the decisions society needs to take today to build a better world for all as part of the conference theme ‘Reckonings and Re-imaginings.’

Lisa Philipps, 91��ɫ U’s provost and vice-president academic, noted that 91��ɫ is a natural convener for this critical conversation. The University community constantly seeks new ways to put principles of equity, diversity and sustainability into practice. “Right the Future” is the University’s commitment, and it’s woven into campus culture as well as this event.

“The great thing about 91��ɫ is we’ve always been known for this really strongly felt commitment to social justice and social responsibility and we’ve also been known for new ways of doing things,” said Philipps.

“The theme of Congress this year is ‘.’ We took the opportunity to infuse that into the entire event experience, from open-access programming to talks and panels organized by Scholarly Associations. We saw this as our opportunity to create a better world by taking responsibility within the academy to lead the change and commit to action together. I’m very proud of that.”

Prof. Andrea Davis, academic convenor for Congress 2023, says 91��ɫ is the right university at the right time to provide the platform for pressing discussions about how a better world might be created. She says it was also created by and for the 91��ɫ community, “We’re really centering community engaged research. That’s a big shift in what’s happened at Congress before. I think it reflects 91��ɫ’s strengths, as well as this unique location.”

The Keele Campus is set in one of Toronto’s most racially diverse communities populated by a high proportion of youth, refugee and immigrant families. To reflect the community around it, 91��ɫ partnered with residents of the Jane and Finch neighbourhood to work together on how they might help shape the massive gathering and be involved in it. Community members were also invited to attend open conference events, and high school students from the area had an opportunity to connect with 91��ɫ students who grew up in their neighbourhoods.

The 91��ɫ Lions Track and Field Team Showcases Excellence at Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championships

clazo — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 07:30:00 +0000

The 91��ɫ Lions track and field team kicked off 2023 with a great start, setting 21 personal bests, amassing nine podium finishes and achieving 26 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship standards. And as the year comes to an end, the team achieved another 14 OUA standards as well as 14 personal bests and 17 seasonal bests, earlier this month, hosting the 91��ɫ Holiday Open.

While current athletes are right on track excelling in their fields bringing pride to the University throughout the year, a couple of 91��ɫ Lions alumni were having a truly memorable moment in late October. Beach volleyball partners Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson were flag bearers for Team Canada marching into the Opening Ceremony of Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games, and winning silver in the women’s finals.

Another notable event of the year for Lions was alumni Pierce LePage and Khamica Bingham competing at the 2023 World Athletics Championship in August, in Budapest, Hungary.

LePage, the former Lion decathlete who won a pair of medals July at the Canadian national championships, struck gold for Canada at the competition. Meanwhile Bingham, who has competed in two Olympic Games for Canada and won gold in the 100m at nationals in July, finished tied for fourth in her heat at the worlds, which did not qualify her for the semi-finals. The win for Bingham at nationals in July was her third national title.

Speaking of alumni, Steven Chuang, who is a 91��ɫ community policy and planning graduate, was named as the new executive director for Athletics & Recreation, this year.

With Chuang as a leader committed to a culture of excellence and an inclusive environment that athletes would feel welcomed in, we can rest assured of 91��ɫ Lions athletes’ continued success.

91��ɫ Bolsters its Position as a Leader in Creating a More Sustainable World

clazo — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

In 10 years, some trees can grow anywhere from 10 to 25 feet tall, so when 91��ɫ announces its goal to reach net zero emissions a decade sooner, it’s a target that can lead to a significant and positive impact on the environment – enough time for a forest to grow. In November, the University announced additional sustainability measures that follow its sustainability action commitment launched early in the year.

The University has strengthened its ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2040, 10 years sooner than its original commitment. It’s a goal the whole University community is pitching in to meet through individual actions, research and innovative solutions and is one of the most ambitious net zero targets in the Canadian post-secondary sector.

Sustainability is embedded in all facets of university life and every new initiative will help drive it forward. Even before the most recent announcement, 91��ɫ was a leader in sustainability. The University is on track to meet its goal of reducing emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, three years early, and recently opened applications for its new $1 million Sustainability Innovation Fund to support community-led projects toward a more sustainable future.

“The United Nations has stated that climate change is the defining issue of our time, and the world is at a pivotal moment requiring urgent action,” says 91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “As an internationally recognized leader in sustainability, 91��ɫ has a responsibility to act on global challenges facing humanity, including ecological degradation, climate change and growing socio-economic inequality.”

More than $2 million from the federal government, through its Decarbonization and Incentive Program, will help 91��ɫ upgrade its Energy Management Information System. This will allow the University to integrate campus operations system data into an analytics platform that uses artificial intelligence to improve energy efficiency for heating and cooling and create student experiential learning opportunities to support its Campus as a Living Lab.

“The urgency for action to advance sustainability and climate initiatives has never been greater. 91��ɫ is on a course to build on an already strong reputation for advancing sustainability initiatives on our campuses, in our community and around the world,” says 91��ɫ Chief Sustainability Officer Mike Layton.

91��ɫ is the first Canadian institution to compile and release data on its ecological footprint and emissions. The report by the provides the University more information than ever to identify new opportunities to reduce emissions and develop innovative solutions to support a more sustainable future.

The event included a panel featuring 91��ɫ scholars – The shrinking act: How 91��ɫ is using data and innovative solutions to shrink its footprint – was moderated by Layton with , director, 91��ɫ’s Ecological Footprint Initiative in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change; Lassonde School of Engineering Associate Professor , Canada Research Chair in Reliable and Secure Power Grid Systems; Lassonde School of Engineering ; and Steve Prince, director, Utilities and Energy Management at 91��ɫ.

There was also short play featuring two students from the theatre department of the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design and a brief video about sustainable travel – – from former Provostial Fellow, Schulich School of Business Professor .

Earlier this year the University launched its Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living, an innovative, open access program that gives participants the opportunity to learn from six of 91��ɫ’s world-renowned academic experts on a diverse range of topics related to sustainability. The series tasks participants with making tangible sustainability-focused changes in their daily lives based on tips from each professor towards earning a first-of-its-kind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living.

In addition, 91��ɫ has more than 1.2 million square feet of green buildings, has diverted 77 per cent of all waste generated from landfills and has the highest recycling rate of any post-secondary institution in Ontario. Through waste diversion, the University has prevented more than 26,000 metric tons of carbon from reaching the atmosphere – equivalent to planting more than 1.2 million trees or eliminating 61,800 barrels of oil.

Through operational improvements, the University has avoided 35,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year since 2020 – equivalent to removing 7,900 gasoline powered cars from the road for a year.

91��ɫ’s School of Continuing Studies State-of-the-art Sustainable Building Opens its Doors

clazo — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The building is designed to meet the post-pandemic needs of students with an inclusive, accessible and sustainable space that will foster learning and help fill Canada’s pressing labour market gaps.

91��ɫ’s School of Continuing Studies celebrated the official launch of its new, signature home in May – opening the doors to a new, state-of-the-art building with a unique, twisted design.

The new, dedicated space on 91��ɫ’s Keele Campus is a testament to the growth of the School, as well as the need for continuing education options to respond to the growing skills gaps and talent shortages in Canada. The six-story, 120,000-square-foot, 50-classroom, building serves as an example of how a post-pandemic learning space can blend in-person and virtual learning formats using the latest technology to support the needs of students.

“The School of Continuing Studies embodies 91��ɫ’s commitment to 21st century learning which identifies access to a high-quality education and global engagement as core components of 91��ɫ’s University Academic Plan,” says 91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “We have been a leader in the lifelong learning space since our inception and we had the goal to create dedicated space to accommodate the unique needs of continuing education students locally and from abroad.”

A limited engagement plenary session featured speeches from Lenton and Christine Brooks Cappadocia, associate vice-president of continuing studies at 91��ɫ as well as a keynote address from world-champion Canadian hurdler, author, TV host and speaker, Perdita Felicien.

"Our leading edge, cohort programs are co-developed with industry to develop graduates prepared to thrive in a skills-based economy. Last year alone we delivered more than a million hours of learning," says Brooks-Cappadocia.

In 2018, the architecture firm Perkins&Wills was selected to design the building, led by architects Safdar Abidi and Andrew Frontini. The twisted architecture symbolizes the School’s twist on the traditional mission of continuing studies to solve Canada’s most pressing labour market gaps by connecting employers and a highly-skilled, ambitious talent pool through its innovative language and professional programs.

The structure is built to ensure complete adherence to sustainability in design. The building is designed to LEED Gold, and will be certified accordingly, and meets the City of Toronto Green Standards.

Students, instructors and staff were included in both the scoping and design phases of the project and after nine years of planning, the School of Continuing Studies building is finally uniting its programs, students, instructors and staff under one roof.

91��ɫ’s Glendon Campus Launches First-of-its-kind Observatory on Populism in Canada

clazo — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Populism can take on many meanings and align itself with different, sometimes opposing, political ideologies. Whether left- or right-wing, populist rhetoric divides the world between a moral, disadvantaged, and homogenous “people” and corrupt and self-serving “elites” deemed to undermine the general will. Politicians using populist frames present themselves as offering the only legitimate solutions to the threats posed by such “elites”. They also frequently rely on disinformation and demonization of minority “others” to gain influence.

, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Glendon College and the 91��ɫ Research Chair in Populism, Rights, and Legality, is the timely new Observatory’s Director, said that “Comprehending populism’s influence is uniquely challenging in Canada, where, until recently, a pervasive tale of “exceptionalism” insisted that it had not arisen as a significant political force. Yet, the ascent of parties, leaders, and movements that use populist rhetoric to mobilize Canadians’ votes and approval suggests an urgent need to rethink that understanding.”

The Observatory will include collaborations from a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including , Assistant Professor of Economics at Glendon College and quantitative researcher in the social sciences, and , Assistant Professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of Ottawa.

The growing influence of populism is further compounded by a trend known as “mainstreaming,” in which ideas and policies traditionally belonging to the far ends of the political spectrum are increasingly being taken on by mainstream political parties and actors.

This process of mainstreaming is, among other things, driving the explosion of interest in populism, in Canada, and around the world.

91��ɫ Receives $318 Million, Largest Funding in its History, for Connected Minds Project

clazo — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

A massive seven-year interdisciplinary research initiative led by 91��ɫ – backed by substantial federal research funding — is setting out to tame the unruly world of AI and other disruptive technologies, so humans can benefit equitably from advances in a machine-driven world. Making sure everyone benefits from the technological boom reflects 91��ɫ’s signature mission to create positive change in the world, both locally and globally.

“We don’t want to slow progress in technology, but rather, work together to be more thoughtful about the consequences – and try to mitigate the negative outcomes and optimize the positive ones,” says Doug Crawford, a 91��ɫ Distinguished Research Professor in Neuroscience who is the inaugural scientific director of the first-of-its-kind enterprise.

The Connected Minds project will bring together experts from 91��ɫ and Queen’s University who are working across many different fields to develop a framework to guide future innovations in technology with a focus on inclusivity.

“Receiving this second CFREF award in the last two competitions reflects 91��ɫ’s leadership as a research-intensive university that from its inception has understood the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in tackling complex, global problems. Connected Minds is particularly timely as we consider the implications of AI for creating a more equitable and inclusive world,” says 91��ɫ president and vice-chancellor Rhonda Lenton.

The initiative’s equity focus will be applied to many projects that are already underway at the two universities, and also to the issue of Indigenous data sovereignty. Through an Indigenous Advisory Circle and partners, researchers hope to explore a framework for use of Indigenous Peoples’ data in a digital environment.

“Our work will seek to address the unexpected consequences of technological innovation, like the growing digital divide between broader society and Indigenous Peoples in terms of access to internet and also the colonization of it as well,” says Sean Hillier, associate director of 91��ɫ’s Centre for Indigenous Knowledges & Language and associate director of Connected Minds.

Potential projects include explorations into a more inclusive metaverse, virtual reality and community organizing, technologies for healthy aging and how the human brain functions when people interact with AI versus each other.

“We’re trying to figure out the way machines work, but we also need to understand the way the human brain works,” explains D’Agostino. “That’s the secret sauce in the machines and the technology.”

Another project is an Indigenous online gaming metaverse in which Indigenous Peoples can learn traditional language and gaming at the same time by engaging in land-based learning that recognizes the physical, mental, and spiritual connection to the land that is part of Indigenous identity.

Technological disruption is only going to grow, adds Crawford, and it’s not too late to create guidelines to shape the future in a way that incorporates the values of equity, diversity and inclusivity. Already, more than 50 community groups are stepping up to engage in the research, a signal that the initiative is tapping into a recognized need. The City of Vaughan, for example, has contributed $36 million in land. Mitacs, which funds research and innovation, has contributed $1 million for internships and trainees. The Baycrest Health Centre – Rotman Research Institute, which studies aging and the human brain, is giving $2 million.

91��ɫ’s Markham Campus Celebrates Significant Milestone with the announcement of a Major Gift

clazo — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop, 91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton and Metropia Founder and CEO Howard Sokolowski

91��ɫ’s Markham Campus is set to open in Spring 2024.

A milestone event at 91��ɫ’s Markham Campus was held in February and involved a ceremonial signing and installation of the final structural beam and celebrated a $5-million donation from Metropia.

91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton, together with dignitaries, University leadership, local community members and philanthropists, marked the important phase in the building of the new campus with a topping-off ceremony and the announcement of a $5-million donation toward capital construction costs from Metropia, presented by Howard Sokolowski, a 91��ɫ alumnus and the company’s founder and CEO.

The milestone was recognized with a ceremonial signing of the final beam of the Markham Campus structure. The final structural I-beam was then lifted and placed by a crane – completing the building’s frame.

The $5-million donation from Metropia and Sokolowski will go toward the capital construction costs of the campus. In honour of this gift, the student success centre on the first and second floors of the new building will be named the Metropia Student Success Centre.

91��ɫ Partners With OP Jindal to Further Enrich the International Student Experience

clazo — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ and India’s have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will create new exchange programs designed to mutually enrich the student experience. Both universities share a commitment to progressive values underpinned by academic excellence.

The MOU, signed recently in Sonipat, Haryana, during 91��ɫ’s global engagement trip to India, ensures students, researchers, and faculty members will benefit from both universities’ strengths and immersion in innovative, international education experiences.

“As the world recovers from a global pandemic, progressive universities like 91��ɫ and JGU have an opportunity to play a greater role in facilitating global engagement to address incredibly complex challenges,” said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of 91��ɫ, upon signing the MOU.

JGU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor C. Raj Kumar added, “The collaboration with Canada’s higher-education leader 91��ɫ, is an important milestone in our institutional journey. In this partnership, we aim to further progress with student and faculty exchange programs, short-term study abroad programs, dual degree programs, and also focus on collaborative research projects.”

Lenton also highlighted that as part of the MOU, 91��ɫ is developing specific initiatives to strengthen ties with JGU, a longstanding strategic partner in India that started with a collaboration between the two universities’ law schools. “91��ɫ is proud to invest in several critical initiatives that will strengthen our ties to India and create mutually beneficial opportunities for our talented students and researchers, including an India Immersion Program with JGU to help Canadian students understand India, its growth story and the nation’s growing impact on the world.”