Robert Cook, U of T’s Chief Information Officer, to retire.
Robert Cook, U of T’s Chief Information Officer, has signaled his intention to retire. First employed by the university in 1971 as a theatre animator at the University College Playhouse, Bob returned to head the Technology for Enhancing Learning Centre at the Faculty of Education in 1990, moved to OISE with the merger of 1996, and became the university’s inaugural CIO in 2008. Under his leadership, the university has made significant investment in information technology to support student, faculty and staff success. His administrative integration of infrastructure and HR, Finance, HR, LMS, telecommunications and many other services revealed the [...]
University of Toronto and RBC create startup accelerator for young innovators
by Olivia Tomic, U of T News The University of Toronto and the Royal Bank of Canada today announced ONRamp, a major new initiative that will help support Canada’s innovative entrepreneurs. Located in the Banting & Best Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (BBCIE), ONRamp will provide new collaborative workspaces for students, entrepreneurs and startup companies to support them in developing commercial ideas. “U of T is a global leader in transforming innovative ideas into products, services, companies and jobs,” said Meric Gertler, president of the University of Toronto. “With RBC’s support, this new initiative will further expand the university’s entrepreneurial efforts [...]
F&S helps UC Light It Up Blue For Autism Awareness
U of T joined landmarks around the globe by illuminating UC in blue light on the evening of Saturday, April 2, 2016 for the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day. Thanks to our F&S team for making these things happen every year!
See the latest on plans for the future of the St. George campus
The Landscape of Landmark Quality design project is a proposed revitalization of the major public spaces of the historic St. George campus. You are invited to attend an Open House on Apr. 12, which will include an exhibition of the revised design proposal by our consultant team: KPMB Architects, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) & Urban Strategies. The updated master plan responds to feedback received during the project's competition phase and through consultation with various university groups and community members in February and March 2016. Landmark Open House I (updated design proposal) Tuesday, April 12th, 2016 9:00 AM – 5:00 [...]
TechKnowFile 2016 – Call for Participation
TechKnowFile (TKF) is an annual conference that showcases many of the projects and initiatives undertaken by the IT community at U of T, providing two days of IT learning for you and your colleagues at no cost. After the Call for Ideas was circulated last month, a great round-up of conference presentation, teaching, and discussion ideas for this year's TKF transpired, but there is still time to respond to the Call for Proposals, which will close on March 31, 2016. Read more.
U of T honours sustainability champions
by Terry Lavender Ron Swail, chief operations officer, property services and sustainability, presents Jane Forbes with her award via Skype (photo by Jonathan Sabeniano, Sustainability Office) Kristy Bard, assistant to the chair of the anthropology department, rallied support to restore a derelict greenhouse. Trinity College student Larissa Parker organized more than a dozen speaker events, outings and fundraisers in support of sustainable activities and blogged from the COP21 climate change conference in Paris. Faculty of Medicine professor Patricia Brubaker led an effort to reduce the number of light bulbs in the Medical Sciences Building, and implemented a “bring your own cup” policy in the building. Bard, Parker, [...]
Professor Cynthia Goh named academic director of BBCIE
Goh brings “entrepreneurship experience and passion for the translation of scientific discovery to technologies that benefit society,” Scott Mabury says by Olivia Tomic Professor Goh has published more than 80 papers and has started seven companies with her students Professor M. Cynthia Goh, scientist, educator and serial entrepreneur, has been selected as the inaugural academic director for the University of Toronto’s Banting & Best Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (BBCIE). “The world has changed, and while we provide an excellent fundamental education, our students could use more,” said Goh.“U of T needs to be the leader in training and inspiring our [...]
St. George campus unveils 2015-2016 sustainability yearbook
Take a look at the newest St. George campus sustainability yearbook and see why it really is greener at U of T. Read more here
Federal government backs three U of T startups and their clean tech innovations
by Olivia Tomic, U of T news Nanoleaf founder and U of T grad Gimmy Chu (photo above by Johnny Guatto/photos below courtesy Nanoleaf)) Thee U of T startups are among 36 projects from across the country receiving funding from the federal government in support of their clean technology innovations. Nanoleaf, QD Solar and ARDA Power Inc. received a total of almost $6 million from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a governmental foundation which helps clean tech entrepreneurs commercialize their products by removing the funding barrier that hinders so many high potential startups. “Nanoleaf is creating truly innovative products right here in Canada, [...]
CB Insights now available at U of T
CB Insights venture capital database now available at U of T By Olivia Tomic About CB Insights Made possible by the BBCIE Collaboration fund, CB Insights is a venture capital and private company database used by investors and startups alike. The platform uses machine learning to monitor over 270,000 sources to track startups and private companies and provide data and analytics on deals, companies, and investors-acquirers. In addition, the CBI research and content team creates premium research on global industries as well as a popular newsletter. Accessing the database at U of T Users create an account and sign in [...]