view . summer 2011
17
CEMENT POUR DRAWS CROWD
A crowd of faculty and staff gathered
on May 10 to watch 90 truckloads of concrete
being poured to create a “strong” floor at the Centre for Engineering Innovation. The
thickness will allow students and researchers to test the limits of beams, columns and other
large structures without damaging the floor.
CEI TO BE HOME TO NORTH AMERICAN FIRST
Students who come to UWindsor to learn about wind and renewable energy
will
have access to equipment and facilities unlike any other in North America, thanks to a new
agreement with the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of sound and vibration
measurement apparatus.
“This will truly be a made-in-Windsor educational opportunity that students won’t be
able to get anywhere else,” said Colin Novak, an assistant professor in engineering, of the
agreement with Denmark-based Brüel & Kjær (B&K) to establish the Wind and Renewable
Energies Centre of Expertise in the Centre for Engineering Innovation.
The agreement, announced May 11 means $1.4 million in research equipment for the
University’s Noise Vibration and Harshness-Sound Quality Group, led by Novak, of Mechanical,
Automotive and Materials Engineering.
The new centre and B&K will become the first occupants of the CEI’s industrial courtyard
later this year designed to bring students, researchers and industrial partners together under
one roof.
$2-MILLION “CLEAN ROOM” ANNOUNCED
On June 9, the Ontario government announced $2 million
for the construction of a
state-of-the-art facility in the CEI that will enable the Faculty of Engineering to launch a
new Aerospace Program.
The new “clean room” will provide space for students to learn and conduct groundbreaking
research, said Robert Gaspar, acting dean of engineering. The clean room is a specialized
facility with an atmosphere control system that regulates the temperature, humidity and level
of contaminants to the exact standards needed for aerospace components.
UWindsor president Alan Wildeman said the investment will give the Faculty of Engineering
critical capacity it needs to finalize the creation of an aerospace program.
“We are grateful to the Ontario government for today’s announcement which will enable
the University of Windsor to move forward with a very exciting aerospace engineering program
in a region of Ontario that is witnessing a growing capacity in the aviation industry,” he said.
Sandra Pupatello, MPP for Windsor West and Minister of Economic Development and
Trade, said the investment builds on existing strengths in the city’s educational and
industrial sectors.
CENTRE FOR ENGINEERING INNOVATION
UPDATE:
UWINDSOR COMMITS TO
IMPROVE AN EXCEPTIONAL
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
UWindsor has committed more than
$1.6 million
this year, for new initiatives and
programs to improve the student experience.
The Strategic Priority Fund was established
as part of the University’s 2009/2010 operating
budget to fund new programs that support the
vision and values of UWindsor’s strategic plan.
“The Strategic Priority Fund has already enabled
a number of initiatives to improve curriculum,
enhance the student experience, promote
research and build a basis for future developments
in all aspects of university operations,” says Leo
Groarke, provost and vice-president, academic.
“It has provided a means for faculty and staff to
see their creative ideas come to fruition and
encourages the campus community to take part
in building the future of our University.”
Just a few of the 31 projects approved for
the 2011/2012 budget year include:
• For the first time in Canada, an Integrated
Engineering and Arts undergraduate
program with a multi-disciplinary approach
• An Open Learning position to coordinate the
efforts of all faculties to develop online and
full degree programming
• A new graduate diploma in Advanced Practice
Oncology/Palliative Care Nursing in partnership
with the de Souza Institute in Toronto
• Psychoeducational assessment and consultation
for children and adolescents will be offered to
the community at the Psychological Services
and Research Centre
• Several mentoring and instructional support
programs in the Faculty of Arts and Social
Sciences, and in Chemistry and Biochemistry
to assist first-year students with the transition
to university
• Programs will be developed for faculty to
participate in teaching exchange programs
with China and Tanzania
• Opportunities will be explored to increase
the number of practical clinical placements
for Music Therapy students
• A one-year Master of Biotechnology program
will be developed in partnership with the Centre
for Executive and Professional Education.
A comprehensive list of projects is
available at
