Volpe is president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers鈥� Association, representing one of Canada鈥檚 largest manufacturing sectors. A leading voice on industrial policy, trade and economic competitiveness, he has played a prominent role in advancing Canadian manufacturing interests and strengthening the country鈥檚 automotive supply chain.  

Appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023, he serves on both the Prime Minister鈥檚 Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and the Ontario Premier鈥檚 Council on U.S. Trade and Investment. 

Volpe has built a career at the intersection of industry, public policy and public service, said Siu Ning (Sunny) Leung, vice-dean, faculty and inclusive excellence, Lassonde School of Engineering. 

鈥淧rogress takes more than good ideas; it takes people who can bring others together and turn those ideas into action,鈥� said Leung. 鈥淔ew careers demonstrate that more clearly than that of Flavio Volpe.鈥澛�

After accepting an honorary degree before graduands of , Glendon College, and the Faculties of , Education and Science, Volpe reflected on the family and experiences that shaped his journey. 

Returning to 91亚色 nearly three decades after completing his MBA, he said one lesson had become increasingly clear over time: "Nobody gets here alone.鈥�   

That lesson, he noted, was rooted in his own family's connection to 91亚色. Before Volpe earned his degree, his mother, Mirala, returned to school as a mature student while raising four children, becoming the first university graduate in her family.  

鈥淗er effort and her success were both a warning and an inspiration,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he was showing us, through her own work, what we could and should ask of ourselves.鈥�  

Volpe encouraged graduands to recognize the family members, teachers, friends and mentors who helped them reach this milestone, and reminded them that opportunity comes with responsibility.  

"Your education gives you tools. What you do with those tools gives meaning," he said. 鈥淵ou are graduating in different disciplines. You will help communities understand themselves and the world. Your work will affect people you may never meet.鈥� 

Looking back on his own career, Volpe recalled representing Canada's automotive manufacturing sector and the importance of keeping people at the centre of decision-making. 

"When I visit an office or a factory, I see skill, ingenuity, investment. I also see people paying their mortgages and raising their kids and making plans." 

He pointed to the automotive sector's response during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he led efforts to shift production to ventilators and personal protective equipment, as an example of people coming together to solve urgent challenges. 

"When you have the ability to help, you have a responsibility to try," he said. 

Volpe also shared insights from Project Arrow, the nation's first all-Canadian zero-emission concept vehicle created to showcase Canadian technology, talent and innovation. Drawing on this example, he challenged graduands to think boldly about their futures and ability to make an impact. 

"You do not have to shrink your ambition to fit somebody else's assumptions about you," he said. "Confidence does not require you to have every answer; it requires you to believe that your effort can make a difference, and to be willing to learn from the people who sit beside you. I hope you leave 91亚色 with that confidence." 

Volpe encouraged the graduating class to carry forward both the opportunities they have received and the responsibility that comes with them. 

"Wherever you go, carry that responsibility with you. Make room for someone else. Share what you know. Stand up when it would be easier to sit down and be quiet." 

He concluded with a reminder about the values that matter most as graduates begin the next chapter of their lives. 

"Keep your kindness. Keep your honesty. Keep your loyalty to the people who trust you, be ambitious about what you can accomplish and thoughtful about who benefits when you do," he said. 

The post Flavio Volpe urges 91亚色 grads to lead responsibly聽 appeared first on YFile.

Founded in 1995 by Caldwell, Canada's Top 40 Under 40 celebrates emerging visionaries, innovators and business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, leadership and community impact. Over the past three decades, the program has recognized many of Canada's most influential executives, entrepreneurs and changemakers at early stages of their careers.聽

The 2026 cohort includes Nick Frosst, Patrice Njoh and Jonathan Sherman, 91亚色 community members who have demonstrated leadership in AI, consulting and law.

Nick Frosst, former research assistant 

Frosst is a co-founder of Cohere, an AI company that creates large language models and tools specifically for businesses. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, Cohere builds cutting-edge foundation models and end-to-end AI products that help businesses and governments solve real-world challenges with leading security, data privacy and deployment flexibility.  

Frosst plays a key role in the company鈥檚 research efforts with a focus on delivering top-tier user experiences for customers. Prior to founding Cohere, he was the first employee hired by Geoffrey Hinton at Google Brain鈥檚 Toronto lab, where his research focused on capsule networks, adversarial robustness and model interpretability.  

Frosst is a former research assistant at 91亚色's Tsotsos Computer Vision Lab at the where he worked on visual saliency prediction algorithms, focusing on benchmarking and optimization from 2013-15.

Patrice Njoh, alum (IMBA '13) 

Njoh is a partner at Deloitte Canada, where she advises senior executives on AI, technology, workforce transformation and enterprise change. She has partnered with some of Canada鈥檚 largest financial institutions and public sector organizations to adopt new technologies, redesign work and improve services used by millions of Canadians.  

A frequent speaker on AI, leadership and the future of work, the alum helps shape the global conversation on how organizations can harness emerging technologies responsibly. She champions practical, people-first adoption strategies that help organizations realize value from innovation while building trust and long-term resilience.

Beyond Deloitte, she serves on the board of The Kickback Foundation and mentors emerging leaders shaping the next generation of Canadian business. 

Jonathan Sherman, alum (JD '14) 

Sherman serves as executive Chair of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a partner in its Capital Markets and Public M&A Group and founder of its Cannabis Law Group. He is the youngest partner in the firm's history and a trusted advisor on some of the market鈥檚 most significant and complex transactions. 

His practice focuses on emerging high-growth industries, including technology, beverage alcohol, gaming, cryptocurrency and real estate.  

Sherman, an alum of , has advised on major capital markets and corporate transactions, and provides strategic and legal advice to a range of industry leaders, entrepreneurs and investment dealers. He also plays a central role in shaping Cassels鈥� strategic direction, and he is frequently invited to share his expertise and perspectives on business and law by journalists, conferences and academic institutions. 

The post 91亚色 talent recognized among Canada's top young leaders appeared first on YFile.

Each year since 2017, 91亚色 helps students begin their university experience with fewer financial barriers by awarding to incoming students, complementing the scholarships, grants and bursaries available across the University.

For the second consecutive year, one recipient was selected from each of 91亚色's three campuses: Keele, Glendon and Markham. Valued at more than $7,000, the award offers meaningful support as recipients begin post-secondary studies.

Meet the 2026 recipients, read their stories and watch a video to see their reactions to winning free tuition.

Markham Campus: Temi Ahmed ()

When Ahmed began exploring university programs, she was looking for one that aligned with a long-standing fascination with space and technology.

"I've been really interested in space for a long time, and I like working with computers," she says. "I hope to build a rocket someday in the future."

Her search eventually led her to 91亚色's Space Engineering program, where she hopes to turn that passion into a future career.

As she settles into her first year, Ahmed is excited to immerse herself in her studies and take the first steps toward her career goals.

Winning free tuition, she says, was unexpected. After being invited to what she thought was a routine student experience interview, Ahmed says she had no idea what was waiting for her.

"I wasn't thinking I'd win free tuition," she says, explaining that when she opened the letter, she was in shock. "I saw 'tuition,' so I was like, 'Oh my God. Is this what I think it is?'"

The award will make a meaningful difference for both Ahmed and her family. Soon after learning the news, she called her parents and sister to share it with them. Their reactions, she says, were a mix of excitement and disbelief.

"My dad didn't believe me," she laughs. "He was really surprised, and my sister was really happy too."

Keele Campus: Alexandrea Ursino (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies)

When Ursino developed an interest in law during high school, she began looking for a program that would allow her to explore the field from a broader perspective. 91亚色's Law & Society program stood out as the ideal fit, offering the opportunity to examine legal issues through social, political and cultural lenses.

91亚色 appealed to Ursino because of the possibilities available inside and outside the classroom. As a commuter from Woodbridge, being close to home while still having access to a large campus and a wide range of ways to get involved was a key driver in her decision.

"I chose 91亚色 because of the community and the opportunities that they have," she says. "I liked how it was so diverse and how they had a lot of programs that I could choose from, and a lot of clubs."

As she begins her first year, Ursino is eager to expand her knowledge through university-level coursework and discover new perspectives through her studies.

"I'm looking forward to what I'll be learning and what content the professors will provide me with," she says. "I'm excited to get into the assignments, get into the readings and learn a lot."

The excitement of starting university was made even greater when Ursino learned she had been selected as this year's Keele Campus free tuition recipient. Caught completely off guard by the announcement, she says the award came as a welcome surprise.

"It means it's a super big gift, a big surprise," she says. "Free tuition gives me the ability to pursue my goals of having a good first year, to focus more on my education and my growth as I begin this new chapter of my life."

Glendon Campus: Xander Venne (Ethics and Political Philosophy)

Venne's connection to Glendon runs deeper than academics; the campus is part of his family history.

"My parents actually both went here to the Glendon campus and they met here," says Venne. "So, I've been hearing great stories about it my whole life."

Now in his first weeks as a student, he says he has already experienced the close-knit and diverse community that drew him there.

"I've been able to make a wide variety of friends from across the world, which I've really enjoyed," he says.

Venne is eager to embrace the opportunities that come with university life, from new experiences and friendships to expanding his knowledge and developing new skills.

Winning free tuition, he says, will make a meaningful difference for both him and his family, easing financial pressures and allowing him to focus more fully on his studies.

"It means a lot for me and for my family," he says.

Watch the video below for more.

The post 91亚色 students awarded free first-year tuition appeared first on YFile.

This fall, 91亚色 U welcomes new full-time, permanent faculty members in the , the Faculty of Education, the , the , the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Markham Campus and the Faculty of Science. 

In this issue:

AMPD scholars offer diverse expertise across arts, media, dance

New faculty members bring expertise to 91亚色's Faculty of Education

Faculty of Health welcomes leaders in psychology, nursing

Lassonde School of Engineering welcomes machine learning innovator

Faculty joining LA&PS bring scholarship on diverse disciplines

New Makham Campus faculty enhance sport management teaching, learning

Inclusive, student-centred learning focus of new Faculty of Science prof

The post Welcome to 91亚色: New Faces 2026聽 appeared first on YFile.

The welcomes one new full-time, permanent faculty member this fall.聽

鈥淲e were delighted to welcome Shweta to Lassonde earlier this year, bringing her expertise in machine learning and experience across industry and academia to our growing research community,鈥� says Dean Jane Goodyer, 鈥淎t Lassonde, we鈥檙e always looking ahead, challenging conventional thinking and creating space for different perspectives and ideas. Shweta embodies that spirit and I鈥檓 excited to see how her research, leadership and mentorship will help advance innovation and inspire the next generation to make a meaningful difference.鈥� 

Shweta Mahajan

Mahajan joins 91亚色 as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. Prior to this, she was a senior machine learning researcher at Qualcomm AI Research. From 2022-23, Mahajan was a postdoctoral researcher with the Computer Vision Group at the University of British Columbia and a postdoctoral affiliate at the Vector Institute in Toronto. She earned her PhD from Technische Universit盲t Darmstadt and her MSc from Universit盲t des Saarlandes, where she was a member of the Machine Learning Group and affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Informatics. 

Mahajan鈥檚 work has earned international recognition, including a best paper award from the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research in 2020. Her PhD thesis was also featured by Gesellschaft f眉r Informatik in 2022. Her research explores computer vision and machine learning, with a focus on generative modelling, multimodal learning, scene understanding, data synthesis and visual inference 鈥� areas with growing potential to shape how intelligent systems understand, generate and interact with the world around them.

The post Lassonde School of Engineering welcomes machine learning innovator appeared first on YFile.

As Hadfield's voice echoed "three, two, one鈥�" during Canada's largest student rocketry competition, the 91亚色-built "Red Robin" soared 20,000 feet into the air, leading to two second-place finishes and the team's strongest result to date.

Competing against more than 30 university teams from nine provinces, 91亚色's students delivered a strong performance at the annual Challenge. The week-long event, held Aug. 15 to 22, is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in engineering, manufacturing and testing, and brings together aspiring engineers, scientists and aerospace innovators from across the nation.

The landed a second-place finish in its launch competition category and second place in the science payload challenge, placing the University among the country's top-performing student rocketry teams.

鈥淭he team鈥檚 achievement is the result of increasing opportunities for hands-on STEM learning and student-led innovation at 91亚色, not to mention a successful multi-faculty collaboration,鈥� says Robin Metcalfe, 91亚色鈥檚 associate dean, student affairs in the Faculty of Science. Metcalfe is the team鈥檚 administrative supervisor, alongside Professor Hugh Chesser from the , who serves as the team鈥檚 academic advisor.

For the students behind the project, it was the culmination of months of design, testing and preparation.

"Red Robin wasn鈥檛 just one project. It was multiple projects, tests and launches spread out over the course of a year, and we worked on it constantly,鈥� says Ido Shakarghi, Arbalest team president, noting the 10-foot, solid-fuelled rocket reached a maximum speed of Mach 1.3.

The year-long effort involved first proving the concept for Red Robin would work during a smaller-scale launch, followed by a series of tests and flights that led to the project鈥檚 success.

The flight was especially meaningful for members of Arbalest, with Red Robin reaching a record altitude for 91亚色 at the Launch Canada Challenge. Last year's Goose 4 launch reached roughly 13,000 feet.

Red Robin鈥檚 award-winning payload also included an experiment involving algae cells that move in response to light 鈥� similar to astrophage in the 2026 sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary 鈥� to learn more about how the cells' movement is influenced by the changing gravitational forces experienced during launch.

鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to design and build something ambitious, but it鈥檚 another thing entirely to see it succeed in the real world,鈥� says Shakarghi.

The competition, which received $1.2 million in federal funding, drew aerospace industry representatives and government leaders from across Canada to observe and engage in presentations, technical demonstrations and launches throughout the week.

91亚色's turn to liftoff also drew special attention because of Hadfield's presence.

"For the past few years, Launch Canada organizers have tried unsuccessfully to arrange a visit by Colonel Hadfield," says Metcalfe, who also serves as a member of the Launch Canada outreach team. "Just by chance, he arrived on the same day as 91亚色's launch and delivered the countdown from the launch control tower. It was an exciting moment."

The project also highlights the growing opportunities available to 91亚色 students interested in aerospace engineering, space technology and applied STEM learning, says Metcalfe.

"Through competitions such as Launch Canada, students gain experience solving real-world engineering challenges while working as part of multidisciplinary teams."

For the 91亚色 students watching their rocket ascend after Hadfield's countdown, the moment was more than a successful launch. It was national recognition for months of work and a chance to showcase 91亚色 talent at one of Canada's largest student aerospace competitions.

鈥淭his current team has always had a lot of heart. They are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed,鈥� says Shakarghi. 鈥淣one of us will forget the countless nights spent in the garage working like our lives depended on it, or the ridiculous drives and last-minute problems we had to solve just to keep moving forward.

鈥淪econd place was an incredible moment for us, but we鈥檙e not done. We proved that we belong here, and now we鈥檙e coming for that grand prize trophy.鈥�

The team continues to work on new developments, including an innovative roll-control system on a series of rockets named Blue Jay, while setting their sights on 91亚色's first liquid-fuelled rocket, the Moose, with their first static firing test early this fall.

The post 91亚色 students' rocket soars to record result at national aerospace competition appeared first on YFile.

The projects highlight the breadth of undergraduate research taking place at Lassonde, where students are contributing to solutions for challenges in health care, energy systems and future space missions through hands-on research experiences.

More than 70 students participated in summer research projects supported through the Lassonde Undergraduate Research Awards (LURA) and the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada鈥檚 Undergraduate Student Research Awards.

The programs provide opportunities for students to pursue full-time research alongside faculty members. Outcomes of these research initiatives were presented during Lassonde鈥檚 annual Undergraduate Summer Research Conference, which celebrates creativity, innovation and academic excellence.

Projects spanned topics such as wastewater monitoring, satellite technologies and trustworthy AI.

鈥淭he research demonstrates the important role undergraduate students can play in advancing discovery while gaining experience that prepares them to become the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,鈥� says Suprakash Datta, associate dean academic and students at Lassonde.

Among the projects recognized by judges was the first-place research project by Diego Romero Rincon, an electrical engineering and computer science student. Working in the QUANTIMB Lab, Rincon developed an AI-assisted platform designed to automate the monitoring of brain tumours following radio therapy treatment.

The cloud-based system integrates advanced AI models with MRI imaging analysis tools to help clinicians track tumour changes over time. It is designed to automatically identify and monitor tumours of varying sizes, classify treatment outcomes and generate reports, reducing the time required for assessments while improving consistency in clinical decision-making.

Second place was awarded to mechanical engineering student Simone Ferrara for research focused on improving the measurement of two-phase flows, which play an important role in technologies such as heat pumps and thermosyphons.

Ferrara's project investigated a low-cost, non-intrusive method for estimating void fraction, a key parameter used to predict pressure drop and heat transfer performance. Using near-infrared lasers and photodiode receivers attached externally to a flow channel, the system offers a potential alternative to more complex and expensive measurement techniques, with applications across a range of heat transport systems.

The third-place prize went to Tina Ly, an electrical engineering and computer science student whose research explored advanced manufacturing solutions for space agriculture.

As space agencies plan for longer-duration missions, reliable food production systems are becoming increasingly important. Ly's project examined the feasibility of using commercially accessible 3D-printing technologies to fabricate nutrient-delivery structures for hydroponic plant growth systems. The research demonstrated that customized agricultural components can be manufactured using adapted material systems and standard additive manufacturing processes, supporting future efforts to produce equipment on demand during space missions.

鈥淭hese projects reflect how undergraduate researchers at Lassonde are applying engineering and scientific expertise to address complex challenges with potential impacts across multiple sectors,鈥� says Datta. 鈥淭hrough hands-on research experiences, students are contributing new knowledge, developing practical solutions and building the skills needed to advance solutions to complex challenges today and in the future.鈥�

The post Lassonde students drive research innovation in medicine, engineering and space appeared first on YFile.

Earlier this year, while updating his CV, Smith realized he had far more to add than expected. More strikingly, unlike previous years, he noticed that every new publication resulted from research led by students in his lab, which explores ice and climate processes on Mars.

In less than seven months, ten papers led by members of Smith's research group have been published. In a typical year, students nearing graduation might publish one or two papers as their projects come together. 鈥淭his year we're doubling that easily,鈥� says Smith, who teaches at the . 鈥淚 thought, 鈥楬oly cow, I鈥檓 not used to this many in such a short amount of time.鈥欌��

The accomplishment reflects both the ambition of Smith's graduate students and his approach to supervision, which emphasizes giving them ownership over their work. That process starts when Smith first interviews prospective students and works to understand what they want to study. He then identifies projects that match those interests as closely as possible.

Helping them find that fit is easier because of the wide range of research questions Smith has pursued. Unlike Earth, Mars has two types of ice, water and carbon dioxide, which behave differently, increasing the number of interesting phenomena to study. Through his lab, Smith has spent years investigating Mars from multiple angles, studying everything from glaciers and polar ice caps to climate processes, ice crystal growth, surface-atmospheric interactions, radar signals and the behaviour of ice under Martian conditions.

Addressing those questions often requires students to develop their own tools and methods through laboratory work, field studies, modelling and the analysis of spacecraft data.

鈥淚've published enough now that I can start picking different lanes,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 really enjoy having students help with that.鈥�

Through this approach, Smith's students have collectively advanced understanding of some of the most significant unknowns surrounding ice on Mars, such as understanding the distribution of buried ice and the history of climate. The published work was led by graduate students and recent graduates, including Ivan Mishev, Kasra Fard, Jamie Isen, Abi Madden, Chimira Andres, Pruthvi Acharya, Akhila Nair and Rushana Karimova, who explored different aspects of the Martian cryosphere.

Their publications investigate how glaciers may have formed and moved across the planet, how polar ice deposits evolved over time, how radar can be used to detect subsurface ice or climate signals and how different forms of ice respond to Martian conditions.  

Smith empowered his students to develop the skills needed to tackle complex scientific questions, whether through modelling, data analysis or laboratory work. But, he says, it was equally important to him that they grow into confident researchers.

It's an approach that students say has helped them find their footing as emerging planetary scientists.

One is Mishev, a PhD candidate, whose recent publication was part of a collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency examining how synthetic aperture radar could be used to detect ice near the Martian surface, a capability that could support future human exploration of the planet.

鈥淗e is always available if I need some guidance or help with motivation,鈥� says Mishev. 鈥淏ut he has also allowed me to work through things independently, which I appreciate.鈥�

Smith gives students room to generate and test ideas, which he considers fundamental to becoming a scientist.

鈥淥ne of my favourite teaching models is to get out of their way,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey're going to have their own ideas, and I do not stifle that.鈥�

Smith points to one of the first graduate students he supervised, Pruthvi Acharya, now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Nevada, Reno, as an example of that philosophy in action. Acharya regularly brought new ideas to the lab each day. While many didn't work out, Smith encouraged Acharya 鈥� and his other students 鈥� to continue asking questions and testing possibilities.

Over time, that helped create a culture where experimentation, curiosity and mistakes were viewed as essential parts of scientific discovery.

That mindset has helped shape the environment that led to this year's remarkable run of student-led papers. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 have good ideas, you鈥檙e not going to have a good research output,鈥� he says.

For the early-stage researchers, the rewards extend beyond the publication achievement.

鈥淚t felt really satisfying to publish my work,鈥� says Mishev. 鈥淭he impact on my confidence and future outlook has been large.鈥�

The study has already strengthened his future prospects. As he explores postdoctoral opportunities, Mishev says having published work has proven invaluable when reaching out to potential supervisors.

For Mishev, however, what matters most is the chance to contribute new knowledge to the field.

鈥淭he thing I'm most proud of in this work is the contribution it will make to a potential future synthetic aperture radar mission to Mars,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 hope that it will be pointed to in the future and really contribute to getting this mission to fly. Getting to contribute this early to a potential future mission is really rewarding.鈥�

For Smith, there is a similar sense of satisfaction in seeing students succeed. Reflecting on their accomplishments, he describes his studentsa group of researchers who pursued challenging questions, developed their own ideas and helped advance understanding of Mars.

鈥淚 am very proud of them,鈥� he says.

Learn more about the students and their聽.

The post 91亚色 students drive breakthrough year in Mars research appeared first on YFile.

Thakur is the founding engineer and chief technology officer (CTO) of Tally Rewards, a platform that helps small and medium-sized businesses create customer loyalty programs. The platform allows customers to automatically earn rewards through linked payment cards, while providing businesses with data on customer visits, spending and engagement.

Building a company is demanding in its own right, but while helping lead the company's product development and technical strategy, he is also completing a software engineering degree at 91亚色.

Balancing those responsibilities hasn鈥檛 always been easy.

"There have been periods where assignments, exams, product deadlines and company responsibilities have all happened at the same time," he says.

The challenge has grown alongside the company, as his role has expanded beyond engineering to include leadership, team development and long-term planning.

For Thakur, balancing a startup while completing an engineering degree has become an education in itself.

"It has forced me to become much more intentional with how I manage my time and prioritize what actually needs my attention,鈥� he says.

The opportunity to gain that kind of hands-on learning while studying was one of the reasons he chose 91亚色.

"91亚色 stood out to me not only because of the engineering program, but also because of the entrepreneurial support and pathways available to students," he says.

Thakur says the overlap between classroom learning and real-world experience has accelerated his growth. Concepts introduced through his coursework, including software design, testing and large-scale software development, often influence how he approaches challenges at Tally Rewards.

Classroom learning was only part of the experience. 91亚色鈥檚 entrepreneurship programs have also shaped his approach to building a business. In addition to his software engineering coursework, Thakur has pursued opportunities through Lassonde's BEST (Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology) program and entrepreneurship courses available through .

Designed to help students develop the skills and understanding needed to launch a startup, these learning opportunities encouraged him to think beyond technology and focus on understanding users, validating ideas and building sustainable businesses.

As a result, Thakur has gained new insights into his role as CTO at Tally Rewards.

"Being a CTO isn't only about being a strong engineer. It's also about helping a team make good decisions and ensuring that what we build actually supports the direction of the business,鈥� he says. 鈥淪ome of the most important work happens before you write any code.鈥�

The combination of technical and venture creation education has been one of the most valuable aspects of Thakur's 91亚色 experience.

"My engineering courses at Lassonde have given me the technical foundation to build reliable systems, while the entrepreneurship experiences have helped me understand why those systems should be built and who they should be built for," he says.

Looking ahead, Thakur hopes to continue growing as both an engineer and entrepreneur while completing his degree.

"University is actually a unique environment to experiment because you're surrounded by people who are learning, building and willing to help," he says.

Despite the challenges of juggling both, Thakur believes students interested in entrepreneurship should take advantage of the opportunities available at 91亚色 and not wait until they feel fully prepared before pursuing an idea.

"A lot of students assume they need to have the perfect idea, a complete skill set or a detailed plan before they can build something," he says. "In reality, a huge part of entrepreneurship is learning as you go."

The post Student applies 91亚色 learning to growing their tech startup appeared first on YFile.

For many Indigenous learners, choosing a post-secondary institution involves more than academics. A community of support, culturally responsive spaces and a sense of belonging can influence where students see themselves succeeding.

In partnership with Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, 91亚色's Office of Indigenous Initiatives, the five-day Indigenous Pathways Program helps aspiring Indigenous learners ages 18 and older build meaningful and intentional connections ahead of their academic journeys. The immersive experience introduces participants to 91亚色's academic offerings while connecting them to the University鈥檚 Indigenous-focused spaces, resources, supports, staff and faculty across its three campuses.

By helping learners feel welcomed, supported and able to envision a future at 91亚色, the program fosters belonging and helps build confidence, clarity and purpose leading up to the transition to post-secondary education. It also reflects a broader institutional commitment to Indigenous student success, says Holly LaForme, manager, Indigenous initiatives at 91亚色鈥檚 Division of Equity, People & Culture.

鈥淔or many Indigenous learners, education systems have not always felt safe, welcoming or full of possibility. Arriving at a large urban institution, often far from family, community and familiar supports, can feel overwhelming,鈥� says LaForme, who helped lead the IPP project. 鈥淎t the Centre for Indigenous Student Services, connection and community-building are foundational to the way we support student success. My hope is to bring a sense of care, familiarity and relationality to the university experience so Indigenous learners feel grounded as they adapt to a new environment, explore their identity and define their path forward.鈥�

Throughout the week, participants stayed in residence and engaged with faculty, staff, current students and alumni. In collaboration with the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, programming highlighted a range of academic pathways through experiences that included a session with Indigenous scholar, 91亚色 assistant professor and acclaimed author Jesse Thistle; workshops in creative writing and social work; hands-on engineering and AI activities at the ; career-focused programming at the , including an Indigenous alumni panel; and a visit to 91亚色's Markham Campus for a immersive day that concluded with a sacred fire.

For participant Sheena Kitchemokman, meeting other Indigenous students and learning about resources available at 91亚色 were key reasons for joining the program.

"The reason why I signed up for the Indigenous Pathways Program is to see what opportunities are available and to meet other Indigenous students who are going to 91亚色," she says.

That sense of connection is a central focus of the program, says LaForme. By introducing participants to Indigenous faculty, students, alumni and support staff, the program helps learners build relationships and gain a clearer understanding of what life at university can look like.

鈥淩ather than asking students to imagine whether they belong in a post-secondary environment, the program provides a meaningful way for participants to experience that community firsthand,鈥� says LaForme, who notes some learners travelled from northern communities to participate.

Those connections, she adds, extend beyond the classroom. Participants are introduced to Indigenous spaces across 91亚色鈥檚 campuses, including Skennen鈥檏贸:wa Gamig, an Indigenous support centre at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus where Indigenous students can use the space for community and cultural connection. For Kitchemokman, it was a welcoming space that left a lasting impression.

"My favourite space on campus is the native student lounge," she says of Skennen鈥檏贸:wa Gamig. "It really does make me feel at home."

Finding this strong sense of community, as well as a clearer understanding of academic options, strengthened her confidence in choosing 91亚色 for her post-secondary studies. She describes one session she attended as inspiring, noting she had 鈥済oosebumps listening to the panel talk about their life experiences and education stories.鈥�

She says the program would benefit all Indigenous learners 鈥� especially those considering 91亚色.

"Coming to the Indigenous Pathways Program has convinced me that this is the right university for me because of all the love and support you get from faculty and student bodies," she says.

Although the Indigenous Pathways Program spans five days, its impact extends beyond a single week.

鈥淏y helping prospective students explore university life, connect with Indigenous community and experience the care and shared hopes offered by non-Indigenous allies, friends, peers and partners across the 91亚色 U community, the program creates meaningful pathways into post-secondary education,鈥� says LaForme.

鈥淏eing able to physically experience these spaces, build relationships and see oneself at 91亚色 is an important first step in making that future feel real, supported and full of possibility.鈥�

LaForme says the program, which ran July 27 to 31, has already encouraged some of the participants to apply.

The post 91亚色 program builds belonging for Indigenous learners appeared first on YFile.