91亚色 is now on the verge of an incredible change that will take us to the next level, said 91亚色 President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri Thursday, just before announcing a $5-million donation from Ignat Kaneff, chair and CEO of the Kaneff Group of Companies.
The donation is in support of the University鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering. Together with previous donations, the Kaneff family has committed almost $8 
million to shaping the learning environment of the future for 91亚色 students.
From left, Ignat Kaneff and Mamdouh Shoukri toast the renaming of the 91亚色 Research Tower to the Kaneff Tower and a $5-million gift from the Kaneff family to the University's Lassonde School of Engineering
鈥91亚色 is very thankful to Dr. Kaneff for his generous gift to the University for the development of the Lassonde School of Engineering,鈥 said Shoukri. 鈥淒r. Kaneff鈥檚 commitment to education that meets the future needs of our students and our society is consistent with his outstanding contributions over decades 
as one of Canada鈥檚 great builders and philanthropists.鈥
Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering, thanking Ignat Kaneff for his generosity as his wife Didi applauds
The research tower at 91亚色 has been named the Kaneff Tower in recognition of this commitment to 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering. Kaneff attended the announcement with his wife Didi and his two daughters, Anna-Maria and Kristina. Several dignitaries, including former premier of Ontario Bill Davis, were also in attendance.
Kaneff, who came to Canada in 1951 with little education or money, was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws by 91亚色鈥檚 Osgoode Hall Law School in 2010 for his role in building Canadian communities and for his support of access to education.
鈥淚t gives me a great pleasure and pride, on behalf of my family, to make this gift to the engineering school at 91亚色. It is our responsibility as a country to provide first-class education to our students and the facilities to match it,鈥 said Kaneff. 鈥淚t enables our students to compete with the rest of the world. I鈥檓 honoured that Canada has provided me with the opportunity to support its 
most important educational institution and our next generation of leaders in engineering, science, technology and research.鈥
Ignat Kaneff and his wife Didi at yesterday's announcement
With the Kaneff family鈥檚 help, the Lassonde School of Engineering at 91亚色 will offer a new type of engineering education.
鈥淒r. Kaneff鈥檚 generosity will help us to educate a new generation of entrepreneurial engineers who, like Iggy, have a social conscience and the passion to achieve their dreams,鈥 said Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering.
Shoukri unveiled a representation of a plaque that will be installed in the lobby of the Kaneff Tower.
Above: The Kaneff family from left, Kristina Kaneff with her father Ignat, his wife Didi and daughter Anna-Maria