Equity & Community Inclusion
At the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS), we are working towards two important, mission-advancing goals: We want our students, staff and faculty to be able to reflect on different life experiences and to understand the role they can play in representing equity, diversity and inclusion values. To ensure that these goals are achieved, we created the Equity and Community Inclusion (ECI) Office.
Our ECI team is dedicated to fostering a culture both inside and outside the classroom that is truly inclusive of all identities, including race, gender, sexual orientation and disability. Workshops, networking events and mentorship opportunities are offered via this office, as well as access to local and international conferences, and facetime with industry professionals and employers.
The Future of STEM
In his editorial for The Voice, “It’s Time for a Culture Shift (external link, opens in new window) ,” FEAS Dean Dr. Thomas Duever talks about a crucial change in perspective that our Faculty has undergone regarding equity, diversity and inclusion. With a clear and progressive vision, Dr. Duever also outlines what action must be taken if the STEM fields are to advance and benefit from the innovation that diversity promotes.
The Path to Reconciliation
Toronto Metropolitan University supports the calls to action as delivered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the 2015 report on the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system for Indigenous children. In response, Toronto Metropolitan University conducted a series of community consultations and released our own version of the report, Truth and Reconciliation at Toronto Metropolitan University: Building a Foundation for Generations to Come, outlining key areas of focus. Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to continuing its work towards the implementation of these calls to action, including building on existing outreach and recruitment efforts within Indigenous communities, and the development of an Indigenized curriculum. Visit the Office of the Vice President of Equity and Community Inclusion website to learn more.
Contact the FEAS Manager of Equity and Community Inclusion if you have any questions.
FEAS’s Women in Engineering (WIE) community is dedicated to providing education and outreach for young women who are considering a rewarding career in engineering, and to promoting a supportive and inclusive environment in which women can pursue their engineering studies and careers barrier-free.
Become a Member of Women in Engineering
If you are a current Toronto Metropolitan University Engineering student, we invite you to join our community! To sign up for the mailing list, please fill out the form (http://eepurl.com/hJYUXT (external link) ). You’ll have exclusive access to events, mentorship opportunities, conferences and work/volunteer opportunities.
Women in Engineering Engineer-In-Residence
Lyla Garzouzi
Lyla Garzouzi is a professional engineer and the director of distribution asset management at Hydro One. As engineer-in-residence at Toronto Metropolitan University, Lyla provides invaluable advice to current Toronto Metropolitan University engineering students, helping them navigate their studies and experiences.
If you have any questions for Lyla Garzouzi related to succeeding as a woman in a field dominated by men or what it’s like to work at Hydro One, contact her via email.
Five Questions with Lyla
At its root, engineering is the practical application of mathematics and science to the betterment of our society. I am a socially-conscious person with a pragmatic and practical approach to problem solving, so engineering was a natural fit.
Engineering is problem-solving. Being an engineer is a daily privilege, with constant opportunities to find solutions through collaboration and creative thinking.
I joined Hydro One as a student through a co-operative program—and I never left. It is truly a unique workplace that allows me to apply my skill set to ensure safe and reliable electricity for the people of Ontario. “Partners in Powerful Communities” is our slogan, but it also our guiding philosophy, contributing to making Hydro One such a compelling and stimulating place to work.
Having been there before, I know first-hand how valuable mentorship can be when it comes to navigating through experiences, both good and bad. An outside perspective from someone who has been there before is invaluable, and strengthens our networks and opportunities. I can help students by providing an objective perspective on issues that we all have been through as engineering students.
The sky is the limit. Do not get discouraged by the workload required to obtain your degree or the pressures encountered early in your career. It is a challenging profession but it is also incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts are directly contributing to the betterment of our profession. Every one of us challenges the very real issue of under-representation and our perspective is channelled through our work.
"Being an engineer is a daily privilege, with constant opportunities to find solutions through collaboration and creative thinking."