UOIT announces new Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science dean

Oshawa, ON - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) proudly announces that Dr. Tarlochan Sidhu will become the new dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS) effective January 1, 2012. Dr. Sidhu comes to UOIT from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario where he is currently professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

"I am excited to be a part of UOIT's bold vision as well as its innovative approach to teaching and research," said Dr. Sidhu. "I look forward to collaborating with students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders to build upon the considerable accomplishments that the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science has achieved in a very short period of time."

Dr. Sidhu's distinguished track record in the field of engineering includes working for the Regional Computer Centre in Chandigarh, India; the Punjab State Electricity Board in India; and for Bell-Northern Research Ltd. in Ottawa, Ontario. From 1990 to 2002 he served as professor and subsequently graduate chair with the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Sidhu earned his bachelor's degree from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Patiala, India in 1979. He moved onto postgraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where he received his Master of Science degree in 1985 and a PhD in 1989.

"Over the years, Dr. Sidhu has demonstrated impressive personal and professional qualities as an engineer, student mentor, researcher, chair holder and university administrator," said Dr. Richard Marceau, provost and vice-president, Academic, UOIT. "He brings depth and breadth of experience to UOIT thanks to a career path which has taken him through different universities, in different provinces and countries. His commitment to excellence is matched only by his commitment to student success. We are absolutely thrilled that Dr. Sidhu will be pursuing his career at UOIT."

Dr. Sidhu is the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)/Hydro One Networks Senior Industrial Research Chair in Power Systems Engineering. He regularly contributes to the activities of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power Systems Relaying Committee and served as chair of its Relaying Practices Subcommittee from 2007 to 2009. He has published more than 200 papers in various journals and conferences, some of which have won major awards. He is regularly invited to give lectures/tutorials around the world on the subject of power system protection, automation and monitoring. He has served regularly as a consultant to power system industries both nationally and internationally.

More than 50 graduate students have completed their thesis work under his supervision/co-supervision. He serves as the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems, an editor of the IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery and that of IEEE Power Engineering Letters. He is on the editorial boards of Electric Power Systems Research, Electric Power Machines and Components, and Relay (China).

Dr. Sidhu is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India), a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (UK), a Fellow of the Engineering Institution of Canada, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (USA).

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About UOIT

As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; Science; and Social Science and Humanities. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

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