Civil engineering student Hosam Sennah wins Ryerson Gold Medal

At the 2019 spring convocation, bachelor of engineering graduate Hosam Sennah was honoured with the Ryerson Gold Medal for his outstanding academic record and significant contributions to the Ryerson community. Sennah’s many accomplishments include graduating with a 4.08 CGPA from the Department of Civil Engineering and publishing a conference paper on his research on innovative concrete structures at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Southern California.

We asked Sennah to reflect on his time at Ryerson, to offer advice to new students and to tell us what’s next for him.

What does receiving the Ryerson Gold Medal mean to you?

The Ryerson Gold Medal, to me, is the physical representation of all of my efforts over the past four years at Ryerson. I’ve had my eye on the medal since my first year, and to receive it made me realize that with a goal and hard work, anything can be achieved.

What advice would you give students entering their first year?

First year is when you figure out how to study, when you get familiar with new people and when you learn what your program is really about. One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is to do research about the program you are entering and plan out the goals you want to achieve in university, like getting good grades, securing a research position, taking part in extracurricular activities or all of the above. With these goals mapped out, it’s up to the student to figure out how to manage and meet them. The most important thing is this: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Take time to relax and clear your head; that really makes a difference.

What do you wish you knew when you began your undergraduate studies?

I wish I knew more about all of the services available at Ryerson, like the math support, study halls and English essay-writing support. There are also many workshops happening year-round, especially for career-oriented help, like resumé, cover letter and interview workshops. The Ryerson Career Centre is also a great help when it comes to preparing for any interview, or general help for career-oriented questions.

Do you have a favourite class or teacher? What made them stand out?

In the civil engineering program, all the courses are interesting, and the professors are enthusiastic about what they teach. All the courses are linked to each other, from one term to the next, and lead to the Capstone Design course, where you apply everything you learned. The experiential learning and hands-on experiences in the teaching laboratories and student competitions make FEAS’s civil engineering program stand out from the rest, in my opinion.

How did Ryerson support you during your time here?

Through the variety of workshops and support services provided by the university and different student groups, I was able to get the help I needed. Also, professors are approachable and available, which I think is very valuable for students who need some extra help or just have questions. The environment at Ryerson provides a positive space for student engagement and interaction.

What is your proudest accomplishment at university?

I’m very proud of the awards and scholarships I’ve received, both internally and externally. One that stands out is the Stewart C. Watson Award, which was awarded by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for my future graduate studies. This award is special to me because I was in competition with students from both Canada and the U.S. I was invited to the 2019 ACI Spring Convention for an interview for this prestigious award, and receiving it made me feel proud of my hard work and accomplishments.

What are your future plans?

I am currently a part of the first cohort of the accelerated master of applied science pathway at Ryerson, where I am working toward a master’s degree in structural engineering. This graduate degree will help me develop vital skills in product development, data analysis, laboratory testing, report writing, communication and teamwork. It will also strengthen my knowledge in accelerated bridge construction so that I can contribute to Canada’s transportation infrastructure.