Canada Research Chairs
BCIT has one current Tier 2 Canada Research Chair:
and two former Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs:
- Dr. Fitsum Tariku, former Canada Research Chair in Whole Building Performance
- Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, former Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation Engineering Design
The Canada Research Chairs program is committed to excellence in research and research training in eligible degree-granting institutions across the country. The Canada Research Chairs program invests approximately $265 million per year to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences. They improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada’s international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people through student supervision, teaching, and the coordination of other researchers’ work.
Rudy North Chair in River Ecology
A leading gift of $1 million from Rudy North, president and founder of North Growth Management Ltd., established the Rivers Institute at BCIT and funded Canada’s first Chair in River Ecology. The Institute will support research and travel, facilitate public awareness activities and provide financial support for students with a particular interest in river conservation for a period of three years. Additional investments will be sought to extend the reach of the Rivers Institute and support future activities.
The current Chair in River Ecology is Ken Ashley.
Centre of Welding Technologies and Metallurgy Research Chair
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) have established the Centre of Welding Technologies and Metallurgy Research Chair. This Research Chair will be the first at BCIT to be exclusively based on funding and collaboration with an industry partner and will enhance BC-based industrial research capabilities in advanced welding and metallurgy. Seaspan has agreed to invest $1.65M over five years to fund the new research chair and a supporting Centre of expertise managed by an industry professional, with instructors, analysts, and associated research equipment and materials.
Dr. Mathew Smith, PhD, PPhys, PEng has been appointed Director of the Centre for Welding Technologies and Metallurgy Research in the School of Construction and the Environment (SOCE).