December 13, 2013
U of T Engineering alumni throughout Asia-Pacific showed their enthusiasm for the Faculty’s new Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CEIE) at events held in five countries in late November. Graduates gathered with Dean Cristina Amon in South Korea (Seoul), Hong Kong, Indonesia (Jakarta), Singapore and Taiwan (Taipei) to get a first look at the building design, hear about the latest news from campus and network with fellow alumni. Photos from the events are available on Flickr.
Alumni in Asia-Pacific demonstrated a strengthening community and growing commitment toward their alma mater by pledging their support to the construction of the CEIE. Alumni groups in each of the five countries are sponsoring spaces within the new building that will be recognized with their country’s names, symbolizing U of T Engineering’s strong ties to the region. Dean Amon will reconnect with Asia-Pacific alumni upon her return visit this spring.
“The initiative and generosity of our Asia-Pacific alumni in response to the new building is truly inspiring,” said Dean Amon. “It shows that U of T Engineering alumni across the globe recognize the need for an environment like the CEIE that fosters creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship. This transformative space will enable us to continue at the leading edge of engineering research, education and innovation, and drive us even further in our pursuit of excellence.”
The Faculty’s first-ever alumni event in Korea was hosted by Canadian Senior Trade Commissioner Richard Dubuc, who welcomed Dean Amon and U of T Engineering graduates to the Canadian Embassy in Seoul for an alumni dinner.
In Hong Kong, more than 50 U of T engineers gathered to celebrate the launch of the Engineering Alumni Association (EAA) Hong Kong Chapter and the Hong Kong campaign in support of the CEIE. Dean Amon announced a $5 million fundraising goal, $4 million of which has already been pledged. She presented the EAA Hong Kong volunteers and campaign committee members with a small token of the Faculty’s gratitude – the Nanoleaf, the world’s most energy-efficient light bulb, developed by Gimmy Chu (ElecE 0T6), Tom Rodinger (IBBME PhD 0T7) and Christian Yan (ElecE 0T6), who were also present at the event.
In Jakarta, Canadian Senior Trade Commissioner Tracy Reynolds hosted Dean Amon and a group of alumni for a dinner at the official Canadian residence to publicly launch the Indonesia Campaign for the CEIE. This was Dean Amon’s first visit with U of T Engineering alumni in Indonesia, several of whom flew to Jakarta for the occasion.
A record crowd of U of T alumni met for the launch of the Singapore/Malaysia campaign for the CEIE, hosted by the Honourable Heather Grant, High Commissioner of Canada to Singapore, at her official residence. The campaign committee members are so confident in their ability to rally support for the new building and the naming of the Singapore/Malaysia Alumni Room that they guaranteed they would meet and surpass their $250,000 campaign goal. Several alumni plan to join Dean Amon in Toronto for the CEIE ground-breaking ceremony, planned for late autumn.
In Taipei, a spirited group of 25 alumni gathered for lunch at the American Club to launch the Taiwan campaign for the CEIE. Dean Amon announced an initial $100,000 gift from campaign chair James Tai (CivE 6T8), and Michael Lee (IndE 7T4) also pledged his support during the event. In addition, Dean Amon met with former Taiwanese Premier and U of T alumnus Dr. Liu Chao-shiuan (Chemistry PhD 1971), who agreed to serve as honorary chair of the Taiwan campaign.
The CEIE is the centrepiece of U of T Engineering’s $200-million component of Boundless: The Campaign for the University of Toronto. The building is scheduled to open in 2016 and will provide innovative, collaborative spaces for students, researchers, alumni and industry partners.