UOIT and GM deliver Engineering Experience

Oshawa, ON - Hundreds of prospective and current Engineering students joined the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and General Motors (GM) of Canada to take part in the inaugural Engineering Experience event held on April 2 on campus. The event, designed to highlight UOIT's unique Engineering programs and strong partnership with GM, provided attendees with an informative and fun-filled day of activities.

"The event was a tremendous success," said Victoria Choy, registrar, UOIT. "It offered prospective UOIT students a wonderful opportunity to learn more about programs specific to their academic and career goals and to visit the state-of-the-art facilities they will have access to as UOIT students."

Participants heard from leading industry experts who delivered lectures entitled GM's Advanced Propulsion Technology Strategy, presented by Dick Kauling, GM Engineering group manager; and Discover Engineering at UOIT, presented by Dr. Greg Naterer, Canada Research Chair in Advanced Energy Systems, associate dean and professor, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.

"We are happy to support an event and institution that fosters science and engineering excellence in our youth," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM Canada. "Innovation and R&D are essential to be successful in the automotive industry and UOIT gives students access to world-class facilities that ensure the best and brightest are equipped to compete globally."

In addition, the event included tours of the General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) and campus; GM vehicle displays; interactive build activities - Recycling and Reusing Household Materials and Strategies for Global Engineering; a Faculty and Admissions Fair offering information about admissions and the faculties of Engineering and Applied Science, and Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; and the opportunity to speak with current students involved in student-led initiatives such as the EcoCAR and the Formula Motorsports Formula Society of Automotive Engineers teams.

Innovative engineering programs at UOIT include Automotive Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering - these degree programs are unique in Canada; Electrical Engineering; Software Engineering; Mechanical Engineering with specializations in Mechatronics and Energy Engineering; Nuclear Engineering; and Energy Systems Engineering, which is the first stand-alone program in Canada. Students enrolled in Engineering programs at UOIT have the option to select a Management option adding another full year of study.

UOIT is one of 16 elite university teams from across North America (three from Canada) participating in EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, a three-year automotive engineering design competition sponsored by General Motors and the United States Department of Energy. Each team is aiming to convert a GM-donated hybrid into the most environmentally friendly car while maintaining the performance standards expected by consumers. UOIT is the only university to choose to convert to a fully-electric vehicle model.

In 2010 UOIT's Formula SAE team won top honours in the province at the prestigious Ontario Centres of Excellence Discovery Showcase. The team's scaled-down Formula style car and extensive efforts to collaborate with industry partners led to UOIT winning the Best Connections Project ahead of 14 other universities.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
289.928.0268
melissa.levy@uoit.ca