The six-story, 9,012-square-metre, 50-classroom building, which earlier this year for its sustainability and occupant wellness features,聽聽on 91亚色 U鈥檚 Keele Campus. Its twisted appearance is meant to symbolize the school鈥檚 twist on the traditional mission of continuing studies 鈥� that is, to solve Canada鈥檚 most pressing labour challenges by connecting employers to a highly skilled talent pool through its unique program offerings.

"Our new building has been purpose-built to give our learners and instructors what they need to thrive," said Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies, "whether that鈥檚 excellent teaching and learning spaces, a place to feed your baby, a prayer room, gathering spaces or, most critically, community that welcomes and celebrates your growth."

For the third annual Architecture & Interiors Awards, a three-person jury of U.S. industry experts spent hours reviewing the nearly 200 submissions received from commercial architecture and design firms around the world to determine the 34 winning projects. The School of Continuing Studies Building emerged a standout, with one juror noting its "subtle singularity" and "understanding of the site and relationships."

"This award is a recognition that this is good design for both the physical environment but also in career-focused education," said Brooks-Cappadocia. "We are thrilled to celebrate this win with Perkins&Will and our community of learners and employers."

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In addition to work focused on the political economy of oil and gas in Alberta, Angele Alook 鈥� a professor in 91亚色's School of Gender, Sexuality & Women鈥檚 Studies and a member of Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory 鈥� has been pursuing interdisciplinary projects that underscore how critical Indigenous Peoples鈥� rights and knowledge systems are to developing solutions to the climate crisis and achieving climate justice.

Among Alook鈥檚 efforts are serving as an academic delegate for the Indigenous Climate Action organization and as a member of the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council-funded Just Powers project, which looks to create socially just approaches to decarbonizing energy transitions.

Alook鈥檚 projects are often driven by the desire to champion Indigenous voices and knowledge systems. For example, for Just Powers, she directed a documentary called Pikopaywin: It is broken, which examines energy projects in Treaty 8 territory by sharing the perspectives and insights of Indigenous traditional land users, environmental officers and elders 鈥� notably from the Bigstone Cree Nation.

Recently, Alook attended the annual meeting of the United Nations' Local Communities & Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) Facilitative Working Group, which took place in Bonn, Germany. The event aims to facilitate the integration of diverse knowledge systems, practices, and innovations in designing and implementing international and national actions, programs, and policies in a manner that respects and promotes the rights and interests of local communities and Indigenous Peoples.

By attending the event, organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Alook鈥檚 objective was to produce a series of educational videos showcasing Indigenous climate leaders discussing false solutions, just transition and youth engagement 鈥� all critical elements to understanding climate progress and effectively moving the needle. Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change Professor Martha Stiegman and research assistant Ana Cardoso were also in attendance to support Alook with data collection, filming and note-taking.

"We are actively engaged in the Indigenous Peoples Caucus [of the United Nations] to uphold the principles of safeguarding Indigenous Peoples' rights, promoting ethical and equitable engagement with knowledge systems, ensuring direct access to Indigenous Peoples for climate finance, and advocating for full and effective participation," said Alook.

At the meeting, Alook and her team conducted interviews with youth representatives, elder knowledge keepers, policy experts and members of Indigenous organizations. Their conversations spanned regions, engaging with people from Chad, the Philippines, the Arctic Circle, the Inuit Circumpolar Council, the M茅tis National Council, the Assembly of First Nations in Canada and the Indigenous Environmental Network in the U.S.

Alongside Alook, Stiegman and Cardoso was Indigenous student Ashton Gladue, who is currently pursuing a degree in communications and media studies in 91亚色 U's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. 

"It was a fantastic learning opportunity for Ashton," said Alook. "He got to be in UNFCCC spaces, learn about Indigenous research methods and film educational videos with Indigenous climate leaders from all over the world, including elders and youth."

She added, "There was a special moment when a well-known knowledge keeper and climate leader spoke directly to Ashton during filming. In that moment, we realized we weren't just filming an interview but experiencing intergenerational knowledge transfer and revitalization of knowledge systems."

Beyond that powerful interaction, Alook believes her team's participation in this event 鈥� and others like it 鈥� is an active demonstration of Indigenous research methodologies in action, and one that she hopes will contribute to the gradual decolonization of climate change policy.

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As part of recent operational actions underway to help 91亚色 meet its aspirational target of becoming a net-zero university by 2040, 91亚色 U has stopped running its fossil-fuelled co-generation units around the clock this summer.

No longer running the co-generation units 24-7 will lead to a more efficiency-based operation schedule that maintains service to the 91亚色 community while minimizing strain on the provincial energy grid. The change is expected to reduce emissions by 22,000 tonnes and account for 80 per cent of the University鈥檚 2030 emission reduction target.

Co-generation is the simultaneous production of two or more forms of energy from a single fuel source. In 91亚色鈥檚 case, natural gas has been used to produce both electricity and steam, which is then used for heating and cooling the campus. In traditional generation, excess heat generated through the process of producing electricity is expelled as waste into the atmosphere and waterways. The dual production of both electricity and recoverable heat made co-generation more efficient and cost-effective than other options previously available. 

As years have passed, the measure of sustainable practices has changed. Operating the co-generation units around the clock is no longer the most sustainable means to deliver services on campus, and it accounts for a significant portion of 91亚色's annual carbon dioxide emissions.

To reduce the continuous operation of the co-generation units, the University's Energy Management team created a plan to deliver heating and cooling to the campus by employing strategies that use data analysis to help determine the most effective, efficient and sustainable way to do so, while maximizing comfort and minimizing carbon emissions. While the co-generation units may still be used, it is expected that they will run only when necessary and for approximately five per cent of the year 鈥� a significant shift from around-the-clock operation.

In November 2023, President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton 91亚色鈥檚 goal of achieving net-zero emissions a decade earlier than originally planned. The aspiration is part of the University鈥檚 recently renewed Sustainability Policy, which includes a commitment to develop and implement a process to track, measure, evaluate and report progress toward net-zero emissions.

The adjustment to the co-generation units will get 91亚色 80 per cent of the way to its target of curbing emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 鈥� a near-term target on the journey to net zero.

鈥淚n the 1990s, 91亚色 was an early adopter in making operational improvements to reduce our emissions, including transitioning away from coal-generated electricity and using natural gas instead to help lower our emissions,鈥� says Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. 鈥淭his significant step to decarbonize our central plant for heating and cooling highlights our continued leadership and innovation to support our net-zero target.鈥�

The co-generation shift is the first of many projects the Energy Management team expects to implement as part of its action plan to decarbonize the central plant and modernize energy management at 91亚色. Additional projects that better use data to inform operations are forthcoming.

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At 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering, building relationships with external partners is a key objective that not only enhances Lassonde鈥檚 reach and reputation but provides students with unique learning opportunities and experiences.

Recently, Liam Butler, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, teamed up with construction company Printerra, which offers 3D construction printing. Together, they are helping to address Canada鈥檚 growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing by manufacturing 3D-printed concrete homes. Using state-of-the-art printing technology and low-carbon concrete materials, the project's goal is to transform the future of housing construction by reducing both labour costs and construction time.

In support of this initiative, Butler received funding through the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada's Alliance Advantage program. In addition to aiding research objectives, this funding will allow for the training and recruitment of graduate-level student researchers, who will have the opportunity to advance their engineering skills through lab testing and field monitoring.

鈥淭he major goals of this project are testing the feasibility of 3D-printed concrete homes and their long-term performance against different climate conditions,鈥� says Butler.

This project will take advantage of innovative facilities at Lassonde, including the High Bay Structures Lab and the 鈥� a unique space that allows for outdoor testing and monitoring of natural and infrastructure materials to evaluate their performance under realistic climate conditions.

鈥淧rinterra is the first industry partner to directly undertake work at the CD3 Facility,鈥� says Butler. 鈥淭his project fulfills the entire vision of the facility, and we hope it will put us on the map and generate further interest from industry partners.鈥�

In addition to performance testing, Butler will focus on the development of low-carbon concrete mixtures that can be used to 3D print structural components.

Similar to 3D printing with plastics and metals, using concrete involves the successive deposition of thin layers of material through an extrusion nozzle. The properties of the concrete must be closely controlled to ensure each layer hardens and holds its shape prior to adding the next layer.

Typically, these mixtures contain significant amounts of Portland cement, a conventional material used to make concrete 鈥� and a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. By developing new, low-carbon concrete materials, Butler will establish a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete, helping to offset the associated carbon footprint of 3D-printed housing.

This project also gives student researchers the chance to collaborate with industry professionals and achieve research outcomes that directly relate to industrial applications. Such opportunities are crucial for career preparation, offering learners hands-on experiences and connections that are invaluable as they transition from academia to their professional careers.

鈥淭his project is going to demonstrate the strong potential of 3D-printed concrete homes while building trust in new, low-carbon concrete materials and construction technologies 鈥� it is a very exciting time for our research group,鈥� says Butler.

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91亚色鈥檚 Schulich School of Business, the top ranked school in Canada for sustainability, has joined forces with Corporate Knights, one of the world鈥檚 leading sustainable economy media and research companies, to develop one of Canada鈥檚 first climate finance indexes. The new national index will track and measure corporate spending targeted at accelerating decarbonization efforts.

The index will serve as a useful tool for companies to track and measure their climate performance against peers within their industries while also providing important information for governments formulating public policy decisions around decarbonization.

Professor Olaf Weber, the CIBC Chair in Sustainable Finance at Schulich, is spearheading the initiative on behalf of the school. According to him, the development of a climate finance index 鈥渁ddresses the uncertainties around what companies really do to achieve their climate goals.鈥� Adds Weber: 鈥淎n index that addresses how much companies invest to achieve their goals presents a more objective indicator than general announcements in sustainability reports.鈥�

As part of the process of developing the index, Corporate Knights and Schulich hosted a session on June 26 involving two dozen leaders from the building, transportation and power sectors who engaged in a cross-sector approach to find ways to measure decarbonization. The session took place in the former Toronto Stock Exchange boardroom at Schulich鈥檚 Miles S. Nadal Management Centre and was moderated by public policy expert Diane Fox Carney.

Corporate Knights magazine will soon publish a synthesis report detailing Canada's climate investment gap and will unveil the new climate finance index, with index weightings by sector to show Canada's climate investments versus requirements. Sustainability experts from Schulich will provide in-depth analysis of the results.

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A research paper by master's student Ethan Owen, from 91亚色's Faculty of Science, was recently published in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation. Titled "," Owen's first-ever published study involved scouring 43 sites across California鈥檚 deserts with his team to understand how the density of native shrubs affects local wildlife.

Armed with high-resolution satellite images and citizen science data sourced from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) 鈥� an international, open-access network and data infrastructure funded by the world's governments 鈥� the researchers set out to uncover hidden patterns in these rugged landscapes.

The team's findings showed that areas with higher shrub density had significantly more abundant, rich, and diverse reptile and amphibian communities, proving the shrubs are indispensable for the creatures' survival by creating microhabitats that offer cooler temperatures and crucial hiding spots.

鈥淭hese shrubs are more than just plants; they are lifelines,鈥� explains Owen. 鈥淚n the central drylands of California, they provide essential shelter, food, and protection for a variety of reptile and amphibian species, helping them survive the extreme conditions.鈥�

But the study didn鈥檛 stop at counting reptiles and amphibians. Owen鈥檚 team looked at different levels of aridity to see if the relationship held up. 鈥淚t was fascinating to see that regardless of how dry the area was, the presence of these shrubs consistently boosted the diversity and abundance of the local wildlife,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t really underscores their importance in these arid ecosystems.鈥�

Owen believes the implications of this research are profound, offering valuable insights for conservationists and land managers alike. 鈥淏y maintaining and promoting native shrub species, we can support biodiversity, even in the face of climate change,鈥� he says.

As the natural world continues to suffer the consequences of global warming, Owen hopes that research like his will serve as a reminder that even small interventions 鈥� like protecting existing shrubs or planting new ones 鈥� can have significant positive impacts on the health and diversity of the Earth鈥檚 ecosystems.

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Each year on June 23,  honours the efforts and achievements of women while highlighting the need for diversification in the field. In celebration of this day, 91亚色's Lassonde School of Engineering is spotlighting Zoi Ralli, Stavroula Pantazopoulou and Baoxin Hu 鈥� three of the many inspiring women at Lassonde who are demonstrating excellence in engineering through their passion, expertise and solutions-driven research.

Zoi Ralli

A postdoctoral fellow in the Civil Engineering Department, Ralli has developed and tested a novel, sustainable concrete formulated with recycled waste material instead of cement.

鈥淐ement production is a very energy-intensive process," explains Ralli, "and it is responsible for seven per cent of carbon dioxide emissions globally.鈥�

Ralli鈥檚 cement-free concrete addresses the extreme sustainability concerns of traditional concrete production, boasting a 70 to 90 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The material was developed with byproducts from a Canadian quarry, comprised of Earth materials and minerals like silicon and aluminum. She also designed the concrete with microfibers to improve its overall strength and performance. These steel, needle-like fibers allow the concrete to withstand harsh conditions, while minimizing cracking and increasing durability.

鈥� shows that it is possible to completely eliminate the use of cement by replacing it with geological and industrial waste materials to develop a high-performance and sustainable concrete,鈥� she says.

Stavroula Pantazopoulou

Another achievement worth celebrating is the recent recognition of Lassonde Professor Stavroula Pantazopoulou 鈥� coincidentally, Ralli's supervisor 鈥� as a fellow of the prestigious Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). This distinction reflects her significant research impact and dedication to science and engineering, further underscoring the exceptional contributions of women at Lassonde.

鈥淔or me, this award represents the most important recognition of my work," says Pantazopoulou, who was one of a small number of highly accomplished individuals to be selected as a CAE fellow this year. "No other award compares to this one.鈥�

This commendation is a testament to the transformative efforts Pantazopoulou has made to the field of structural engineering. Her research focuses on addressing a range of complex and emerging infrastructure concerns. In particular, she dedicates her work to enhancing the structural design of various infrastructure, to improve resistance against earthquakes and other extreme events. Though modern infrastructure is typically developed with resilient materials, many older buildings are constructed with less advanced components, posing safety risks to occupants. To address this concern, Pantazopoulou鈥檚 work aims to upgrade and retrofit older buildings with new and innovative materials.

As a newly appointed CAE fellow, she is positioned to further advance the field of structural engineering and elevate her research to new heights.

Baoxin Hu

Hu, a professor in the Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, is an accomplished researcher at Lassonde who recently secured significant funding 鈥� three grants in total 鈥� from the Canadian Space Agency and Forestry Futures Trust Ontario. She will use this support to advance her forest management research through remotely sensed data analysis and the development of various artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Motivated by the urgent demand for accurate information regarding carbon sequestered forest ecosystems, as well as the need for highly qualified personnel with particular skills and knowledge to help tackle climate change, Hu is leading a multidisciplinary team to address and create solutions for carbon stock in forest ecosystems. Through funding from the Canadian Space Agency, the team will use satellite Earth observation data to develop AI methods that can accurately quantify carbon flux and stocks in Canadian forests.

With funding from Forestry Futures Trust Ontario, Hu's second project is aimed at improving sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation by developing AI methods to survey lichens in Canadian forests. These organisms play many critical roles in forest ecosystem dynamics, like serving as a dietary source for various animals and supporting water and nutrient cycling. Using single photon LiDAR (SPL) data, Hu and her team will map and characterize lichens in the Ontario boreal forest and use this information to develop AI methods that can effectively predict lichen distribution in other forest ecosystems.

Hu's third project, also funded by Forestry Futures Trust Ontario, will explore drone-based AI technologies, referred to as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), and their ability to analyze conditions of forest ecosystems. Specifically, these RPAS will collect data concerning the effects of silviculture, which is the practice of controlling the growth and composition of forests. By collecting this data, different forest ecosystems can be classified based on the intensity of silviculture, enabling forest managers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of forest environments.

To learn more about the ways Lassonde provides support, resources and opportunities for women in engineering, visit Lassonde's .

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Join 91亚色's Transportation Services Department to kick off Bike Month 鈥� a month-long celebration of cycling across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area 鈥� on June 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Vari Hall (VH Plaza) on the Keele Campus. 

During the month of June, Transportation Services is partnering with Bike Share Toronto, and Smart Commute to celebrate Bike Month by offering 91亚色 community members a range of bike-friendly resources, including Toronto cycling maps, quick bike repairs and safety handbooks. At the June 5 event, attendees can ask questions to event partners, compete for prizes, and learn about local cycling infrastructure, related services and the benefits of bikes as a form of sustainable travel.

The annual celebration of Bike Month at 91亚色 highlights the institution's commitment to ensuring sustainable travel options are available across its multi-campus network.  

91亚色 was the first institution in the Greater Toronto Area to partner with Bike Share Toronto in 2021, eventually leading to three Bike Share stations being established on the Keele and Glendon campuses. This strategic partnership helped strengthen the cycling culture across university campuses and helped promote sustainable transportation.

These efforts, among others, led 91亚色 to be named a聽 鈥� the first institution in Canada to receive this designation. Among many reasons for the recognition, the University's cycling infrastructure and resources 鈥� including secured bike enclosures and four do-it-yourself repair stations 鈥� were an important factor, providing cyclists with peace of mind and flexibility while navigating 91亚色's campuses on two wheels. The designation reflects 91亚色's commitment to providing a variety of sustainable commuting options aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of students, faculty, instructors and staff.听聽

Over the years, the expansion of 91亚色鈥檚 cycling infrastructure has been equally matched by community adoption, contributing to the University's mission to reach its new accelerated .听

For more information, visit the official  or the Transportation Services website throughout the month of June.

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Climate change is impossible to ignore, no matter your line of work or area of study. And at 91亚色鈥檚 Osgoode Professional Development (OsgoodePD), the curriculum reflects that fact, with professional master of laws (LLM) programs and continuing legal education offerings incorporating the latest climate change legal issues.

Benjamin Richardson broke new ground when he co-taught Osgoode Hall Law School鈥檚 first Climate Change Law course for juris doctor students back in 2008, when he was a full-time professor here. Now based at Australia鈥檚 University of Tasmania, he recently returned to OsgoodePD as an adjunct professor and was pleased to see how teaching on the topic has evolved.

鈥淭here is still a place for standalone climate change law courses,鈥� Richardson says, 鈥渂ut there is now a recognition that they need to be supplemented by embedding the climate change issue across the curriculum, because it has become such a pervasive, ubiquitous issue.鈥�

In his Corporate Social Responsibility course, part of OsgoodePD鈥檚 , Richardson鈥檚 students look at several intersections of climate and commerce, including corporate disclosure and potential greenwashing, developments in the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as how businesses can adapt to global warming for their future survival. 

Considering OsgoodePD鈥檚 particular focus on skills development for lawyers and other working professionals in practice, he says it is natural for the curriculum to contain many classes that could be characterized as climate change law courses.

鈥淢ainstream Canadian law firms are increasingly demanding climate-literate lawyers who can advise their clients on these issues,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not enough just to know what the legislation says. You need a grounding in the economic, political, and ethical issues that affect how businesses and other stakeholders consider climate change.鈥�

As one of three program directors for OsgoodePD鈥檚 part-time , Bruce McCuaig, who has been involved with the program for the past 10 years, has noticed a significant shift in the way climate change is discussed.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a much more mature theme and topic now,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he conversation is no longer about the science of climate change or how it鈥檚 actually occurring, but more about potential action and execution.鈥�

According to Jim Whitestone, McCuaig鈥檚 colleague, it鈥檚 no surprise that climate change law courses are on the upswing, considering the past decade has seen some of the field鈥檚 more consequential developments.

The ripple effects of the 2015 Paris Agreement 鈥� at which almost 200 national governments agreed to ensure the globe warms by no more than two degrees Celsius this century to avoid the worst effects of climate change 鈥� are still being felt in particular as signatory nations grapple with the consequences of the net-zero emissions targets they have set for themselves in response.

Whitestone鈥檚 own history in the field goes back much further, having served as Ontario鈥檚 assistant deputy minister responsible for climate change and environmental policy. In his Climate Change: International Governance, Mitigation and Adaptation course, Whitestone focuses on the Paris Agreement and other international legal and policy frameworks now in place to address the climate crisis.

鈥淲e鈥檙e updating all the time as standards change and agreements come into place,鈥� he says.

Domestic and international standards also feature heavily in the 鈥� an intensive, five-day program designed for lawyers and other working professionals in a variety of industries where ESG risk has become a critical business priority.

As a law professor concerned with the movement of people and goods from one place to another, Didem Light says there can be few subjects more directly affected by the physical and legal implications of climate change than the one she teaches in International Transportation Law, a course offered as part of OsgoodePD鈥檚 Energy and Infrastructure LLM.  

鈥淐limate change is going to have a very big impact,鈥� says Light, 鈥渘ot just on manufacturers of vessels, cars, buses, trains and other modes of transport, but also the people who use them and the associated infrastructure: things such as ports, airports, train stations, roads and bridges.鈥�

In other courses, the environmental links are not so obvious. At first glance, International Business Law LLM faculty member Emilio Dabed says casual observers may not make the connection between his course on Business and Human Rights and climate change. However, Dabed explores the governance gap that has traditionally allowed transnational corporations to escape effective environmental regulation, thanks to a combination of weak domestic laws and 鈥渟oft law鈥� 鈥� mostly non-binding international guidelines and standards.

In recent years, Dabed says these soft-law frameworks have been hardened by legally binding domestic law initiatives, the adoption of these guidelines by governments and the intervention of courts and tribunals, which have proven increasingly willing to hold transnational companies to account for their voluntary commitments in relation to human rights and the environment.

鈥淲hat the course tries to convey to students is this strong link between the economic activities of transnational corporations and human rights and climate change, and how to develop a model that somehow reconciles the need for economic growth on the one hand, and the fulfillment of commitments to protect human rights and the environment on the other,鈥� he explains.

Vanisha Sukdeo, who has a forthcoming book looking at the impact of climate change on workers, teaches a Business Associations course in OsgoodePD鈥檚 International Business Law LLM that is a popular choice with internationally trained lawyers seeking to requalify in Canada. She welcomes the global perspective her students bring to discussions, as she encourages them to think more deeply about the ideas that are frequently portrayed as solutions to the climate crisis in the western world 鈥� the electric vehicle revolution, for example.

鈥淓lectric vehicles might be reducing pollution in North America, but a lot of the mining that is needed to produce batteries is taking place on the African continent, generating more pollution there,鈥� she says. 鈥淗as that really reduced emissions or just shifted them? That鈥檚 something for us to explore.鈥�

As climate change has gone from an abstract concept to a reality of our daily lives, threatening to severely impact our collective future, academic institutions have been tasked with training future agents of change to tackle the threat head-on. Evidently, OsgoodePD has accepted that challenge.

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Members of the 91亚色 Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response, & Governance Institute (Y-EMERGE) have travelled to the Philippines to establish a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the country鈥檚 Civil Defense Training Institute (CDTI).

Earlier in 2024, Ali Asgary and Eric Kennedy, professors of disaster and emergency management and associate directors of Y-EMERGE 鈥� a 91亚色 Organized Research Unit dedicated to research and training in disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness 鈥� were invited to Manila for the launch of CDTI and the MOU signing ceremony.

The partnership 鈥� and trip 鈥� grew out of an earlier visit to the Philippines by Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Phillips in November 2023 (as part of the Universities Canada Partnership Mission) where queries emerged about areas of specialization that 91亚色 had in common with the country and its researchers.

Because the Philippines is ranked among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, and 91亚色鈥檚 Y-EMERGE is a national leader in emergency management, a natural fit was quickly found.

Asgary and Kennedy travelled to Manila in March for the official MOU signing, which also included a discussion about short-, medium- and long-term collaborations with 91亚色. CDTI was very interested in the work of 91亚色鈥檚 (ADERSIM) team 鈥� where Asgary is a core scientist 鈥� as well as the University's technology and training.

鈥淲e had great discussions with the senior people there,鈥� Asgary says. 鈥淭hey are keen to collaborate, knowing that 91亚色 has strong research and training expertise in disaster management. This formal collaboration initiative through the MOU makes it more impactful.鈥�

The agreement is especially meaningful, since 2024 marks the 75^th anniversary of Canada-Philippines diplomatic relations.

The professors also used the trip to further other 91亚色 partnerships, collaborate and make new contacts. Asgary and Kennedy connected with CDTI personnel, and visited with disaster and emergency management experts at the University of the Philippines鈥� Resilience Institute. They also met with CIFAL Philippines, a sister organization to CIFAL 91亚色 鈥� both part of the United Nations Institute for Training & Research.

鈥淲e used this trip as a way to advance University partnerships in areas where 91亚色 has exceptional strengths,鈥� Kennedy says. 鈥淏uilding collaborative relationships with institutions in the Philippines is a natural connection point, given both sides have significant expertise in disaster and emergency management 鈥� and given the many hazards, including volcanoes, typhoons and earthquakes, faced in the Philippines.

鈥淭he idea is to build mutual learning, collaboration and opportunities for exchange. Our new CDTI partners have an incredible amount of lived experience in managing a wide variety of hazards. Creating relationships and partnerships is so much more valuable than simply importing solutions. The best programs are born out of collaboration, so we are eager to work together to build resilience, conduct research and train the next generation of emergency leaders.鈥�

The first product of the new partnership will be a monthly virtual speaker series about climate change displacement, an issue that is a focus for CIFAL Philippines, the Resilient Institute and the CDTI, which will begin in June as a way to share expertise and resources. It is a practical first step for the partners to undertake, but it promises to be the first of many, including research collaborations and potential student exchanges.

Asgary and Kennedy also met with numerous faculty members at the University of the Philippines for a presentation about some of their current projects and a tour of their various labs. They were able to assess where synergies exist and connect 91亚色 colleagues with researchers who have similar interests.

In addition, Asgary, a specialist in volcanic emergencies and emergency simulations, and Kennedy, an expert in wildfire emergencies and decision-making during disasters, were each able to find commonalities with Filipino researchers and consider individual research collaborations.

Asgary also had the opportunity to visit two active volcanoes, as well as volcano observatories, facilitated by CDTI and their regional directors, and is already busy in working on simulations used for planning and training.

鈥淲e can now broker mutually beneficial connections and match up teams in both directions,鈥� Kennedy says. 鈥淚t was also a fruitful space to foster relationships beyond those with our three official partners. At the launch, we met representatives from a variety of organizations with overlapping interests, such as the World Food Programme and the International Organization for Migration.

鈥淚t is so important that 91亚色 prioritizes this kind of in-person relationship building. There are a lot of ways to sustain relationships in the virtual world, but they are built on the foundation of in-person relationships. In-person connections are incredibly valuable.鈥�

Vinitha Gengatharan, 91亚色鈥檚 assistant vice-president, global engagement, says Asgary and Kennedy are modelling the type of relationship the University is eager to create with its international partners.

鈥淜nowledge sharing, respect and mutually enriching collaboration are vital ingredients for successful international partnerships,鈥� Gengatharan says. 鈥淎li and Eric set the standard for the type of relationships we continue to build worldwide.鈥�

The seeds of this relationship may have just been planted, but they are already bearing fruit.

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