One year ago, we announced an unprecedented, generous, and transformational gift; one that will lead to a new era in engineering education. We presented a vision for a model of engineering that is technically rigorous, experientially focused, socially conscious, and creatively inspired. In short, in a world with increasingly complex challenges, we set out to help engineers change the world; by changing the way we educate engineers. Looking back over the past 12 months, I am now pleased to say that we have taken great strides to begin implementing that vision through collective and collaborative action across our faculty and it is inspiring to see how far we have come already.
From the outset, we have put in place a team of people – staff, faculty members and students – to start the hard work of looking at the details; from where we teach to how we measure success. We have launched a series of pilot projects to find the best ways to bring innovative approaches for teaching and thinking into our programs. And we have engaged experts from outside of our faculty and Queen’s to support our efforts.
The results of those efforts have already had an impact. Applications to first-year Smith Engineering were up by 26 per cent for Fall 2024, including a 13 per cent increase in first choice selections. Our internship program – already seeing tremendous growth – has increased to almost 470 students being currently engaged in internship. And our departments are busy crafting strategies for how best to incorporate new techniques and experiences into the curriculum.
What’s more exciting is that there is still more to come this year. Expect to see the results of pilot programs and the establishment of Communities of Practice to support the changes needed. Expect to see more events as part of our Reimagining Engineering Education Speaker Series, as well as workshops run by international experts to broaden our perspective. And expect to continue the dialogue with me, the Guiding Team and the Department Leads as we continue to build towards this vision.
And yet, we have only just started – and have so much more to do. So, as we mark the first 12 months since we began this journey, I am so happy to share how proud I am of where we are, and what we can do moving forward. Thank you to all the staff, faculty and students that have been working so hard and will continue to do so. I am so excited about what comes next for us in our Reimaging Engineering Education.
Yours truly,
Kevin Deluzio
Dean and Professor
Smith Engineering at Queen's University