Valued at $17,500, the merit-based VSAIs are bestowed upon top candidates pursuing studies in either Vector-recognized master’s programs, which provide students with the AI skills and competencies sought by employers, or individual AI study paths in Ontario.
“The Vector Scholarship allows me to have peace of mind while pursuing my MMAI and serves as a reminder that hard work does pay off,” said Singh. “The countless late nights that I had spent studying, working on assignments and programming during my undergraduate degree in astrophysics and computer science at York University played a large role in me receiving this award.”
Singh says the scholarship will allow him to focus more on his studies and less on funding his education. He is also looking forward to familiarizing himself with Vector Institute’s vast network which will accelerate his learning and education in AI.
“The MMAI, being a 12-month professional degree related to artificial intelligence, allows me to obtain a graduate degree without needing to remain entirely in academia,” says Singh. “The Artificial Intelligence Consulting Project (AICP) that is part of the degree will enable me to obtain relevant work experience before I graduate and enter the workforce.”
Scholarship recipients become part of the Vector Institute’s community of renowned researchers, major Canadian companies and AI startups solving high-impact problems. Recipients receive support for their education, and affiliation with Vector can open high-quality career options through Vector’s networking and career events, Digital Talent Hub and professional development programming.
Five York community members invested to Order of Canada
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Five individuals with connections to York University are among the 85 new appointments to the Order of Canada, announced in June by Governor General of Canada Mary Simon.
The new member list includes one Officer (O.C.) and four Members (C.M.). The Order of Canada is one of the highest honours awarded to civilians in Canada. Created in 1967, it recognizes people whose service shapes society, whose innovations ignite imaginations and whose compassion unites communities.
Officer
The Honourable Robert James Sharpe, donor Sharpe was appointed for his distinguished contributions to the advancement of law in Canada as both a judge and academic.
Members
John Anthony Lederer, alumni, donor Lederer was appointed for his leadership in business, and for his philanthropy in support of the community and health sectors.
Daniel Levy, former student Levy was appointed for his trailblazing advocacy of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and for advancing Canadian television as a critically acclaimed actor, writer, director and producer.
Susan Swan, former faculty, donor Swan was appointed for her contributions to Canadian literature and culture, and for her mentorship of the next generation of writers.
Robert J. Foster, donor Foster was appointed for his visionary leadership and acumen as a successful entrepreneur and for his transformational contributions to developing Toronto’s arts communities.
Wendy Ruth Eisen, donor Eisen was appointed for her commitment to enhancing the welfare of Jewish people and Canadian society as a whole through her philanthropy, volunteerism and activism.
More than 7,600 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order of Canada. Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. For more information about the Order of Canada program, visit www.gg.ca/en/honours/canadian-honours/order-canada.
Professors create VR summer program for high school students
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York University Faculty of Science Associate Professor Derek Jackson, and Kyle Belozerov, a sessional assistant professor, have partnered with Science Engagement Programs to develop a new Spark Lab virtual reality (VR) research course that will introduce high school students to pharmaceutical chemistry.
Derek Jackson
Kyle Belozerov
Spark Lab courses are week-long sessions designed for students in grades 9 to 12 who are interested in gaining hands-on experience in the science labs. The Faculty of Science offers courses in the experimental and research categories.
Experimental courses are developed and taught by York undergraduate and graduate students, teacher candidates, or Ontario-certified teachers, while research courses are developed and led by graduate students and/or professors and are based on the research they are conducting at York.
As a postdoctoral researcher at the Emory University Medical School, Belozerov worked on pre-clinical development and testing of drug candidates targeting an aggressive form of brain tumor called glioblastoma. He also has taught pharmacology to students in the nursing program at York.
Jackson’s expertise is in organic chemistry, a field of study that is used to synthesize the molecules found in a large number of medications, ranging from everyday medicines, like Tylenol, to complex and life-saving cancer medications. The professors have combined their respective areas of expertise to develop an engaging and dynamic summer lab course for curious Toronto high schoolers.
Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living: Building a better future with Shooka Karimpour
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Throughout the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living, six of York University’s world-renowned experts share research, thoughts and advice on a range of critical topics related to sustainability. Their leadership and expertise, however, extends beyond the six-minute presentations.
Over the last several weeks, YFile presented a six-part series featuring the professors’ work, their expert insights into York’s contributions to sustainability, and how accepting the responsibility of being a sustainable living ambassador can help right the future.
Part six features Assistant Professor Shooka Karimpour.
Karimpour is an assistant professor of civil engineering at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering where she leads the Environmental HydroDynamics (EHD) lab. Karimpour’s research aims to investigate how turbulent mixing and entrainment are induced and how they affect mass and contaminant transport. Currently, her team is working on entrainment of multi-phase flow, focusing on aerated flow and microplastic contaminants.
Karimpour’s research has been published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Environmental Science and Technology, and Frontiers in Marine Science. She is also recipient of several international and national awards including the Kefeer Medal from the Canadian Society of Civil Engineering.
Shooka Karimpour
Q: What does it mean to be a “sustainable living ambassador” and how does it foster positive change? A: We are reaching a point in that some of the changes to our planet may have severe consequences in the near future. Our ocean, freshwater lakes and rivers, for example, are under extreme pressure on many fronts from ocean acidification to widespread of plastic pollution. York University’s Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living enables the accessible training of “sustainable living ambassadors” on some of the key environmental issues including water quality and climate change.
Q: What does it mean to be a “sustainable living ambassador” and how does it foster positive change? A: This is a unique and concise program that sets individuals on the right trajectory to understand some of the fundamental issues and it encourages them to take action and to be a part of the solution.
Q: What would make you most proud for viewers to take away from your lecture, and the series as a whole? A: Unfortunately, today, we are facing many environmental issues that are complex and intertwined. Plastic production, for example, leads to greenhouse gas emission, contributing to climate change. Despite their complexities, there are also solutions, like those presented in the Microlecture Series. We have dealt with and managed other environmental issues in the past, for example the “ozone hole,” through collective actions and proper legislation. I want the viewers to know, we do have the knowledge to address some of these challenges, we have to ask ourselves if we have the collective will.
Q: Equity and equality are a common theme throughout these sustainability lectures. Why is that such a critical component of sustainability? A: The inequitable impact of climate change, plastic pollution, water security, etc., is evident. For example, we have communities in the Arctic that have very little contribution to plastic pollution but are reported to have plastics in their diets. Coastal communities in a few developing countries, that have a very small contribution to greenhouse gas emission, are paralyzed by sea water level rise due to climate change. These issues, they aren’t limited to geo-political boundaries. They affect many beyond where they are sourced from. Equity must be in the forefront of the conversation on these topics to make sure solutions aren’t just tailored to those with more resources.
Q: Are there changes you’ve made in your work at York that other York community members can learn from? A: I have made personal changes – carpooling, for instance, to work or going paperless when reading and writing – but I think the most important change I made was to pivot my research. My research is around environmental fluid mechanics and I question myself quite often on how I can incorporate things in my research and teaching with meaningful impacts in terms of making the world more equitable and sustainable.
Q: How do you view collective responsibility vs. personal responsibility in creating a more sustainable future? A: It’s everyone’s personal responsibility to care. This is important on many levels, one of the most important aspects of it is that it holds industry and for-profit organizations responsible. However, large-scale change isn’t really possible without collective responsibility and commitment from governments and industries.
Q: How is York leading the way towards a more sustainable future? A: York has been amazing in terms of supporting research on sustainability, which is woven to the University’s Academic Plan. For example, over the past year, it has supported the establishment of a new research unit, OneWATER, and continuously looks for opportunities to empower teaching and research linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Visit the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living to see Shooka Karimpour’s full lecture, as well as those by the other five experts, and earn your Sustainable Living Ambassador badge. This articles concludes the series. Read more in parts one, two, three, four and five.
York makes substantial leap forward in latest QS World University Rankings
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York University continues to strengthen its global position as a leading research-intensive university as highlighted in the 20th edition of the QS World University Rankings. This year, York climbed more than 100 spots, moving up to 353rd out of 1,500 universities – a 25 per cent improvement in the University’s standing over the past eight years.
“With an unparalleled commitment to creating positive change, York has once again been recognized by the QS World University Rankings for academic and research excellence along with highly valued student outcomes,” said Rhonda Lenton, York University president and vice-chancellor.
According to the QS World University Rankings, this year’s results saw the largest-ever methodological enhancement, introducing three new metrics: Sustainability, Employment Outcomes and International Research Network. The changes were intended to align with evolving student and societal priorities.
This latest ranking news also comes on the heels of York’s impressive results in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking and QS’ Subject Report Rankings, both results that were revealed earlier in the year.
Released in March, the 2023 QS Subject Report Rankings evaluated more than 15,000 programs from 1,594 institutions and York ranked among the top 100 in the world in three subject areas: English language and literature, philosophy, and for the first time, performing arts.
“These latest QS World University Rankings build on York’s positive global momentum. The impressive results are a testament to the high quality, interdisciplinary research, teaching and learning that take place at York,” said Lenton.
Guided by a University Academic Plan that strives to both inspire and deliver positive change, York’s high-quality academic programming continues to position the institution as a leader in post-secondary education in Canada and around the world.
Schulich launches Schulich Venture Academy with star faculty team
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The Schulich School of Business at York University announced the launch of the Schulich Venture Academy – a new talent upskilling program for tech professionals featuring a star group of program directors from Canada’s startup ecosystem.
The Schulich Venture Academy will launch four Schulich Masterclass Venture Certificates focused on leadership roles, identified by Schulich and its faculty, industry advisors and alumni as crucial to fuelling the country’s next wave of tech ecosystem growth.
The inaugural four Masterclass Venture Certificates and program directors are:
Li will focus on teaching the next generation of finance professionals how to scale a venture-backed company and says: “After a long career, I am honoured to contribute my expertise through the Schulich Venture Academy. Scaling start-ups is a nuanced and complex process, which needs leaders in finance, operations and more to be nurtured in their specific roles.”
Do Forno will work with talent people professionals to teach them advanced strategies for attracting, retaining and developing talent in a venture-backed company and says: “This new Academy has the potential to have a deep impact on Canada’s startup ecosystem. People and talent strategies play a pivotal role in creating standout Canadian companies and, as a veteran in the industry, I feel privileged to be part of building the next generation of talent leaders.”
Gabowicz will work with professionals in operations to dig deeper into the metrics, systems and strategies required to scale operations in a venture-backed company and says: “As an operator who’s lived through raising, scaling and selling a startup, I can attest that having the right talent who understands these needs is critical. In being a part of this national initiative to educate our future leaders, I look forward to giving back and cultivating the next generation of Canadian startup talent.”
Matta will work with aspiring and growth-minded VC professionals to take their investing and career strategies to the next level and build the next generation of Canadian VC talent to support venture-backed firms across the country. Says Matta: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Schulich Venture Academy, which is committed to changing the way we develop startup talent. As one of Canada’s most active early-stage VCs, I know this will make a difference in how Canadian startups compete and scale.”
Schulich also announced it will be taking applications of interest for a fifth Masterclass Venture Certificate from potential program directors at its booth at Collision Conference 2023 in Toronto next week.
The Schulich Venture Academy was designed and built by award-winning Schulich Adjunct Professor Chris Carder and Schulich Entrepreneur in Residence and VC Cherry Rose Tan, in conjunction with the top-ranked Schulich ExecEd, which is among the world’s 30 best executive education providers according to the Financial Times.
“The startup ecosystem is filled with so many talented people in crucial supporting roles,” says Tan. “But as a country, we need to elevate and upskill them more effectively by giving them opportunities to learn from and be mentored directly by senior, proven leaders in their fields of expertise and interest. We’ve spent countless hours mapping the Academy out with senior leaders in the innovation economy and asking them what was needed next in order to scale growth. We’re thrilled to make this announcement on the eve of Collision Conference 2023 and start recruiting the first wave of lifelong learners to join the program.”
The Schulich Venture Academy begins classes in October 2023 in small online class sizes (maximum 25 per class) and will feature exclusive in-person networking opportunities with senior leaders in venture finance, venture operations, venture talent and venture capital.
Taught by industry stars with decades of experience, connections and successes under their belts, these programs are not theoretical. Tech professionals will learn strategies, frameworks and tools that can be immediately applied to their organization.
Upon completing a Schulich Masterclass Venture Certificate program, participants will receive a digital certificate credential.
Rami Mayer, the executive director of Schulich ExecEd, adds: “We’re excited to announce that our Academy graduates will celebrate the completion of the program at Schulich ExecEd Centre in downtown Toronto, and privately network with star program directors and other influential leaders from the venture ecosystem. In addition to providing skills and knowledge by way of completing the program, the program’s exclusive events are invaluable to graduates who look to build deeper relationships with marquee business leaders.”
This news follows two recent major tech sector announcements from the Schulich School of Business, including the launch of Canada’s first Tech MBA and the announcement of a joint Venture Studio with OneEleven.
For more information about the Schulich Venture Academy, visit this page.
Leader in student success earns Lynda Tam Guiding Light and Legacy Award
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Agata Stypka, student success coordinator in the Faculty of Health, received the award from the Advising Community of Practice and Peer Leader Community of Practice in recognition of her unwavering commitment to students through her work in delivering excellence in student success and peer leadership programming.
The annual award was established in honour of Lynda Tam, who served as the first assistant dean, students in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) where she had a profound impact on the student experience through shaping student services, advising, and peer mentoring programs. She was also a founding co-chair of the Peer Leader Community of Practice.
Agata Stypka
Through her creative and imaginative approach, she developed programs and initiatives that helped students excel and reach their academic, personal, and professional goals. Tam exemplified student service excellence across York University and was a coach and a guiding light to students, staff, and faculty.
Stypka received this year’s award for exemplifying many of Tam’s qualities. Stypka is known as a leader in student success, who contributes to and has impact in student success programs and initiatives across campus. As the longest standing student success coordinator in Calumet and Stong Colleges, Stypka is credited with the delivery of high impact initiatives such as Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), Agents of Change, Orientation and Peer Leadership Training.
“Agata is a welcoming and empathetic partner who works tirelessly to support her colleagues and champion student success and peer leadership across York’s campus and within our alumni community,” shared Jennine Rawana former head of Calumet College and Department of Psychology associate professor.
“Agata works tirelessly to support peer leaders to help them become proficient in their roles and brings a level of excellence to her programming, all with the intention of support students and their development,” says Mazen Hamadeh, associate dean, students, Faculty of Health and former head, Stong College.
As part of the award, art was commissioned from AMPD student Paria Shahverdi. The artwork is named “Peace” and was inspired by Tam, her illumination of shine, beauty and care, and the hope that she is now at peace. “This painting exemplifies the light and hope Lynda shared with those around her,” shared Catherine Salole, a member of the Selection Committee.
The award was presented to Stypka in a surprise meeting that included colleagues from the Faculty of Health, members of the selection committee and her nominators – Rawana and Robert Bishop, director, Student & Academic Services & Strategic Initiative.
“It is an immense honor to receive this award and I am humbled. I had the opportunity to meet and work with Lynda and she certainly was a guiding light for me as I began my career at York. The beautiful painting of the dove is a wonderful reminder of the important work that universities do in the pursue of justice and peace and creating positive change,” said Stypka.
UIT offers tips to stay safe on social media
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In a digital age, exercising caution and best judgement on the internet is important.
As an institution that leverages technology to learn, work, collaborate and socialize, the York University Information Technology (UIT) department reminds the community of how to best engage online safely.
Below are tips from UIT to help protect privacy when using social media platforms for personal or professional use.
Review and update privacy settings: This allows you to limit who can view your information. Consider all types of platforms, including payment and music applications.
Use two-factor authentication on all accounts: This helps to protect accounts and data from those who may be trying to steal or misuse them.
Do not share personal information: This includes address/location, special events such as vacation, or a new purchase that criminals may target while you are away.
Avoid using apps that track location: If you choose to allow location data to be shared, only enable access when using the app.
Use unique, strong passwords for each site: Use a unique password for each social media site. Use a strong password that does not include info you may have shared online.
Filter content on platforms you frequently use: These platforms also often offer a way to report inappropriate or hurtful content and block users.
Delete accounts you no longer use: Hackers look for unused accounts they can hijack to use for impersonation. Deleting an app from your device does not remove the account – you must delete the account itself.
Beware of social media phishing: Tailored phishing messages can be made from info taken from social media. Beware of unsolicited messages that can be from fake accounts.
For more information, visit the UIT website or contact a member of the team.
In pictures: York’s Convocation celebrates Class of 2023
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Spring Convocation for York University’s Class of 2023 ran from June 9 to 23, and featured 13 ceremonies at both the Keele and Glendon Campuses.
This year’s Spring Convocation began on June 9 with a ceremony at York’s Glendon Campus, and continued with a dozen more in the following weeks at the Keele Campus. 6,140 graduands received their degrees during ceremonies overseen by the newly inaugurated 14th chancellor of York University, Kathleen Taylor.
View photos from the Class of 2023 ceremonies below:
Osgoode student, incoming instructor sees string of successes in June
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For his acclaimed doctoral research centred on the history of hate speech prosecution, Osgoode Hall Law School PhD student, incoming instructor and lawyer Kenneth Grad won four academic awards amidst another celebration at home.
Kenneth Grad
On June 7, Grad was awarded this year’s Peter Oliver Prize by the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History. A few days later, in the early morning of June 10, he and his wife welcomed their second daughter into the world. Later that same morning, he was notified that he had been named a co-winner of the Osgoode Society’s other major student prize: the R. Roy McMurtry Fellowship in Legal History, valued at $10,000.
Receiving both the Peter Oliver Prize and the R. Roy McMurtry Fellowship – let alone in the same year – is a rare accomplishment. Then, on June 16, Grad was also awarded the Switzer-Cooperstock Student Prize by the Jewish Heritage Centre for Western Canada. In addition, he also recently received the Avrom Silver Graduate Research Fund Award from York University’s Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies.
A former criminal lawyer with the prominent Toronto firm Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, Grad received the awards for work produced in connection with his doctoral research. His dissertation is entitled “Prosecuting Hateful Speech: An Historical Analysis of Zundel, Keegstra, and the Criminal Law’s Ability to Protect Vulnerable Communities.“
The Peter Oliver Prize is awarded annually for a published work on Canadian legal history written by a student and is named for the Osgoode Society’s founding editor-in-chief. The R. Roy McMurtry Fellowship in Legal History was created in 2007 to help graduate students, or those with a recently completed doctorate, to conduct research on Canadian legal history for one year. It is named for the former chief justice of Ontario, attorney general and founder of the Society. The Switzer-Cooperstock Prize, established by the Switzer family to honour their parents and grandparents, is awarded for the best student essay on Jewish history in Western Canada. And the Avrom Silver award supports the research of graduate students affiliated with York’s Centre for Jewish Studies.
“It’s a huge honour,” Grad said of the awards. “The Osgoode Society does such great work in legal history and it’s just personally rewarding to be recognized by them. The same goes for the Jewish Heritage Centre for Western Canada and Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies, which do incredibly valuable research in the area of Jewish history.
“It’s nice that all the work I’ve put in is paying off,” he added, “and it shows the relevance of my research – especially with the increase in transphobia, racism and hate speech, especially during the pandemic.”
Professor Patricia McMahon, who was on the selection committee for the Oliver Prize, said the Society received an exceptional number of strong submissions from students this year, but Grad’s work rose to the top.
“His article, ‘A Gesture of Criminal Law: Jews and the Criminalization of Hate Speech in Canada,’ stood out not just for its clear prose and excellent research,” she said, “but for telling a compelling story about the role of the Canadian Jewish Congress in the development of Canada’s hate speech laws more than 50 years ago.”
Grad said the award-winning paper and his dissertation both combine his legal interest in criminal law with his personal background as the grandson of Holocaust survivors.
“Issues of racism and empowering minority groups are important to me – and that’s how I landed on this topic,” he explained.
He said his PhD studies at Osgoode have been “incredibly rewarding” but very hectic with the birth of his two daughters and the COVID-19 pandemic. He paid tribute to the support he’s received from his PhD supervisor, Professor Benjamin Berger, and his PhD committee members, Professors Philip Girardand Emily Kidd White.
Berger also paid homage to his accomplished doctoral student. “Kenneth is already a tremendous scholar, making creative and rich contributions to our understanding of Canadian legal history, pluralism and the complexity of public law,” he said. “I am so proud of the careful, compassionate approach he takes to his work and so pleased that he has received this recognition.”
Grad will teach a course on criminal law at Osgoode in the fall of 2023.
