Supreme Court justice welcomes first-year students to Osgoode
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Andromache Karakatsanis (LLB ’80), Osgoode Hall Law School alumna and Canada’s longest-serving Supreme Court justice, welcomed Osgoode’s Class of 2026 with an encouraging speech and some words of wisdom.
Andromache Karakatsanis. Photo by Jessica Deeks Photography, Supreme Court of Canada Collection
Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2011, Justice Karakatsanis looked back fondly on her legal education at Osgoode, and especially her experience at Parkdale Community Legal Services, which she called “transformative.”
“That was one of the reasons that I came to Osgoode,” she told the students. “I grew up in an immigrant household, in a warm, supportive environment. At Parkdale, I encountered people who had not had that, and it really opened my eyes. It brought home for me that the law is about helping people.”
Karakatsanis, who grew up in Toronto working in her parents’ Greek restaurant, told the students that they will quickly learn in the legal profession that their reputation is everything. And that, while advocacy is important, it should not cloud their ethical standards, analytical skills or good judgment.
“How you live your life is as important as what you do in your life,” said Karakatsanis. “So how you can enrich the community, the human connections we make and the small kindnesses are just as important as any grade you achieve.”
During a question-and-answer session following her speech, incoming Osgoode Dean and Professor Trevor Farrow noted that Justice Karakatsanis’s message resonated strongly with the school’s distinctive emphasis on legal ethics – beginning in first year with its first-semester Ethical Lawyering in a Global Community course.
Karakatsanis went on to advise students against feeling the need to have a grand plan for their law career. “No matter what you choose to do in life, law school will serve you well,” she said. “These skills will prepare you to open your mind to the world and to become involved in your communities. Be open to opportunities that interest or challenge you.”
She left the students with one final takeaway about dealing with career or academic disappointment and persevering despite it. After law school, she said, her goal was to become a Crown attorney, but she was passed over. “I was devastated,” she recalled. “I thought my career was over before it began.
“Why do I tell you this story?” she asked. “Because when one door closes, another opens.”
Real estate and infrastructure scholarships honour three Schulich students
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York University’s Schulich School of Business recently announced the winners of three prestigious scholarships in the Master of Real Estate & Infrastructure (MREI) program.
Jesica Anane (MREI candidate ‘24), who joins Schulich from Ghana and has extensive experience in project management, is the recipient of the Gary Whitelaw Strength in Diversity Award. Established in 2021 by global real estate investment firm BentallGreenOak (BGO), this $25,000 award draws on former chief executive officer and current Schulich Executive-in-Residence Gary Whitelaw’s continuing commitment to improve diversity and representation in Canada’s commercial real estate industry by investing in future leaders. “I plan to make the most of this opportunity to excel academically and contribute positively to society,” said Anane. “I am determined to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of others, just as BGO has done for me.”
Pictured, from left to right: MREI ’24 candidates and scholarship recipients Bianca Gornik, Jesica Anane and Sonal Bagga
The Edward Sonshine Scholarship, established by RioCan, is offered to students entering the 12-month MREI program who have demonstrated the highest academic standing, leadership ability and commitment to the real estate sector. The $25,000 scholarship has been awarded to Bianca Gornik (MREI candidate ‘24). Gornik has an undergraduate degree in urban studies and art history from the University of Toronto and two years of experience in the real estate private equity industry. “This scholarship will immensely impact my academic journey and professional trajectory,” said Gornik. “I am extremely honoured to have the opportunity to be mentored by RioCan’s top talent, with the potential for a future internship with the company.”
With a background in architecture and urban planning, Sonal Bagga (MREI candidate ‘24) is the winner of the inaugural Graywood Developments Master of Real Estate & Infrastructure Award, which aims to foster the growth of talented young leaders in the field of real estate and construction. “Your belief in my potential empowers me to strive and reach new heights in my career,” said Bagga. “From a young age, I have immersed myself in the world of design and construction, learning invaluable lessons from my father’s wealth of experience. Your investment in me will guarantee a bright future for me, as well as the communities that will benefit from my contributions.”
Jim Clayton, the Timothy R. Price Chair in Real Estate and Infrastructure at Schulich, expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the program’s corporate partners: “We are grateful for the continued support of our corporate partners in helping us attract top talent and develop future leaders in the industry. It is an honour for us to be associated with these great companies focused on equitable access to opportunity in the real estate and infrastructure sectors.”
Applications open for Commercialization Fellowship
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The Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation (VPRI) will open the call for applications for the Commercialization Fellowship program that supports projects with commercial potential from across York University on Sept. 7.
The fellowship, organized by Innovation York, is open to postgraduate students and postdoctoral Fellows with approval from their academic supervisor. It provides $7,500 in funding to support commercialization of research. Applications close on Oct. 31.
The fellowships aim to support the research commercialization process by providing strategic, short-term funding to assist in the development of commercially viable projects. The goal is to prepare projects for commercial engagement with industry and/or community partners, with a view to licensing and/or co-development of the project intellectual property.
First-year Schulich School of Business student Mehwish Imran sat down for a video-taped interview with York University’s marketing team recently, which she initially thought was part of a recruitment initiative. Instead, she was thrilled to learn that her name had been randomly selected from 3,000 entries to win free first-year tuition – a win that she said will drive her to excel in her studies.
Mehwish Imran
“It’s a privilege and I’m extremely grateful for it,” said Imran of her tuition win. “Even though I was prepared to do my best in school this year, winning free tuition is definitely motivation to work even harder.”
The Bachelor of Business Administration student, who said she was most looking forward to making friends and connecting with her professors this year, was born in Pakistan and immigrated to Mississauga, Ont., in 2014, when she was just nine years old. Leaving her extended family behind was difficult, she said, but her adjustment to Canadian life was smooth and pleasant overall.
Since she was a child, Imran excelled at math, and in high school she pursued her business interests by getting involved in clubs like the Model United Nations and attending DECA student leadership conferences. “I think that’s where my passion for business really came from,” she explained.
Imran chose Schulich for her post-secondary studies because of its international reputation, specialization offerings and tight-knit community environment. “It also has an amazing recruitment network, especially focused on accounting,” she said, “which is what I’m planning to further specialize in.”
After completing her undergraduate degree, Imran currently has her sights set on pursuing her Certified Public Accountant designation or continuing on to law school – but she’s reserving the right to change her mind.
Canadian Writers in Person Lecture Series returns Sept. 19
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The Canadian Writers in Person Lecture Series, which launches its 2023-24 season on Sept. 19, offers the community an opportunity to meet talented award-winning writers, as well as hear them read and discuss their published work.
Canadian Writers in Person Lecture Series 2023-24 poster
Canadian Writers in Person is a for-credit course for students, but the associated lecture series is free and open to members of the York community and the public who are not enrolled in the course.
The series features 11 authors who will present their work and answer questions. Copies of all books can be found at the York University Bookstore or at a local bookseller.
All readings take place online via Zoom, from 7 to 9 p.m. on select Tuesday evenings. A Zoom link will be made available a week before each reading.
This year’s lineup consists of a unique selection of award-winning and award-nominated Canadian writers, who explore a broad range of topics and a variety of geographical and cultural landscapes. Featuring seasoned and emerging poets and fiction writers, the series highlights Canada’s ever-growing literary talent.
The readings scheduled in this series are as follows:
Canadian Writers in Person is a course offered out of the Culture & Expression program in the Department of Humanities in York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Lassonde students place fourth at international unmanned aircraft competition
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This summer, a team of graduate students from York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, in Professor Jinjun Shan’s research group, placed fourth at an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) competition at the 2023 International Conference of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS) in Warsaw, Poland.
Pictured, left to right: Professor Jinjun Shan, Ingredy Gabriela Gomes Carmo and Hunter Schofield. Mingfeng Yuan on laptop screen
The competition, designed to mimic challenges faced by UAVs performing infrastructure inspections in unknown environments, required teams to program a UAV with the ability to navigate an obstacle course safely and autonomously while identifying defects in the course infrastructure.
The Lassonde students, Hunter Schofield and Mingfeng Yuan (both PhD candidates), together with Ingredy Gabriela Gomes Carmo (MASc candidate), formed a team and spent months preparing and qualifying for the ICUAS UAV competition. The team adopted the name SDCN Lab, after Shan’s Spacecraft Dynamics Control and Navigation (SDCN) Lab at Lassonde.
“The initial event was the qualification round,” says Schofield. “We had to compete in a challenge against 39 international teams to navigate our UAV around a simulated environment and identify any defects at different points of interest.”
After successfully placing among the top five teams, the SDCN Lab team was off to Poland to compete against other top contenders.
In preparation for the final competition, the team combined their expertise in object detection, machine learning, control design, decision-making for autonomous vehicles and more, to develop and implement a code for their UAV. The code was designed to help the UAV achieve the required benchmarks in the final competition – exploration, perception and pose estimation. Exploration allows the UAV to safely navigate the obstacle course and find defects in infrastructure; perception is used to identify and classify defects; and pose estimation helps the UAV evaluate its position and trajectory in a given environment. The team also had the opportunity to work with industry professionals from Quanser Consulting, who provided technical support and practice facilities.
“Preparing for the competition in Poland was a steep learning curve, and we had to collaborate with each other a lot for each benchmark,” says Schofield. “None of us are experts on pose estimation, so we had to work with other lab members to figure it out. It was good experience because it allowed us all to learn something new.”
At the final UAV competition, the team’s drone autonomously navigated and inspected the challenging obstacle course. After each of the teams’ drones made their way through the competition arena, scores were given based on their performance quality. The Lassonde students ultimately finished in fourth place – only 0.5 points behind the third-place team.
“The competition was really difficult, but it was a great experience to collaborate with my team and see the work done by other students,” says Carmo. “I also liked travelling to a new country.”
This opportunity allowed the students to network and collaborate with other international teams at the competition, share interests, build relationships and discuss different approaches and strategies used throughout the competition.
“Professor Shan gave us a great opportunity with this conference and through the partnership with Quanser. We’ve now learned how we can put all our knowledge together to create solutions for real-world problems,” says Yuan.
Faculty and student bringing experiential education to quantum computing
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By Alexander Huls, deputy editor, YFile
York University Professor Randy Lewis and fourth-year student Sarah Powell – both from the Department of Physics and Astronomy – were invited to the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in the U.S. to teach at a summer boot camp capitalizing on the growing interest in quantum computing.
Lewis and Powell were invited to the facility – dedicated to the research of nuclear physics, as well as materials and accelerator science – by Natalie Klco, a professor at Duke University overseeing part of the boot camp meant to make quantum computing accessible. “Quantum computing is this new, exciting endeavour, but people aren’t sure how to use it,” says Lewis.
Familiar with their work, notably a paper about error mitigation techniques for quantum computer calculations, Klco asked Lewis and Powell to help create exercises suited for those looking to become more familiar with the growing field.
Lewis and Powell designed experiences aimed to teach participants how to tackle writing circuits (a model for quantum computation) in new ways, then explore any errors that arose and learn how to mitigate them. It was important to both, however, that the exercises not be lectures, but hands-on, experiential opportunities that would make the boot camp feel lively and engaging for participants.
“They weren’t just fed information. They were able to really sit down and work through problems, talk to each other, learn from each other, learn from us and come away with a set of solutions that they could look back on later,” says Powell, who recently started graduate school at the InQubator for Quantum Simulation at the University of Washington.
Lewis and Powell weren’t sure, at first, what reaction their intended experiential and collaborative approach would get, especially compared to other sessions at the boot camp. “I was there for a couple of days prior, sitting in on the other lectures, and I was a bit nervous before ours,” recalls Powell. “I was seeing how the students were acting in the previous lectures and there was no interaction between them. The instruction was a more traditional approach than what we had prepared.”
When the time came for Klco, Lewis and Powell’s session, they introduced themselves to participants, asked them to jump in, and very quickly realized they didn’t need to worry. “There was quiet in the room, but we just started walking around and we initiated conversations with students, and just like that, the whole place was a beehive of activity,” says Lewis. “It took maybe three minutes.”
The enthusiasm extended throughout the entire experience. “The students were coming in early, staying late at lunch time and in the evening,” says Lewis. Participants were especially thrilled during the last section of the course, as they were provided access to an actual quantum computer prepped by Powell to run the circuits they had been working on, and see results in real time. “By the time they had their hands on the quantum computer at the end, people were saying, ‘How can we stay in touch on this?’ ” says Lewis. When Powell returned home, she even found somebody had continued to run hundreds of calculations on the accessible quantum computer.
For Lewis and Powell, the experience was an expectation-exceeding success. It’s something Lewis now thinks about with potential for teaching and learning at York. “If we could recreate this at York, if there’s a course that really captures people’s imagination, then this sort of experiential approach could be the perfect vehicle for students,” he says.
Archives of Ontario at York offering free tours
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The Archives of Ontario, located at 134 Ian MacDonald Blvd. at York University’s Keele Campus, has been collecting, preserving and making available the history and documentary heritage of Ontario and its people since 1903.
Free one-hour tours of the Archives will be offered every Wednesday at 11 a.m., between Sept. 13 and Oct. 25.
Tours of up to 15 people will be led by the Archives’ staff through one of the largest archival facilities in Canada. Collections consist of a wide variety of records, including unique, multifaceted records donated by individuals, businesses and organizations that illustrate the province’s history and development. These date back to the 16th century and include everything from hand-written letters and diaries to books, maps, architectural drawings, city plans, photographs, films, sound recordings, electronic documents and more.
The Archives are also home to the eclectic Government of Ontario Art Collection, which has over 2,800 original works of art and antique furnishings that can be found in legislative buildings in Toronto and in government offices throughout the province.
The tour will include a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Archive’s vaults, preservation lab and reading room, as well as a personal tour of the exhibit ANIMALIA, which features fascinating records from the Archives’ collections that explore humankind’s changing relationships with animals.
Faculty and students who take the tour will also have the opportunity to learn more about applying for a researcher card, using the microfilm and digital collections, and getting started on research with the assistance and expertise of the reference staff.
Lassonde launches Canada’s first fully work-integrated degree program
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The Lassonde School of Engineering at York University has launched the Digital Technologies program, Canada’s first fully work-integrated degree program, designed to address the country’s digital skills shortage, which finds 80 per cent of Canadian businesses reporting they need more workers to meet their technological needs.
In the new program, learners will be employed full-time for four years, earning a salary while studying for a bachelor of applied science (BASc) degree. The first cohort of students includes professionals looking to upskill; university and college transfer students; and high-potential high-school graduates aspiring to a career in technology.
Students will spend approximately 80 per cent of their work hours on the job, and 20 per cent dedicated to theoretical, in-class learning, delivered during five-day block periods every five to six weeks. Those enrolled will continuously apply their academic learning towards real revenue-generating roles while integrating their industry knowledge in class.
The students have been hired by a range of organizations looking to attract, develop and retain talented software developers, cyber security analysts and data scientists. The organizations include: ALSTOM Transport Canada, Bank of Montreal, Ceridian Canada, Ontario Power Generation, Quanser Consulting and Shopify.
Through Lassonde’s next-generation work-integrated learning program, students hired by the partner organizations can make meaningful connections between academic and work learning experiences, and access the latest expertise, knowledge and resources that a university provides.
Jane Goodyer
“To scale up Canada’s tech workforce, universities and employers need to collaborate to create and facilitate more affordable, inclusive post-secondary education pathways to digital technologies careers. We’re doing just that with the new Digital Technologies program, partnering with six forward-thinking organizations to empower individuals from groups who have not traditionally been represented in the information and communications technology sector,” says Jane Goodyer, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering. “This is important, with research showing that employers with a more diverse workforce perform better financially and contribute to a more decolonizing, equitable, diverse and inclusive society.”
The companies Ceridian and Shopify were a part of Lassonde’s “trailblazer” group of 15 businesses, public sector organizations and industry associations that helped co-design and co-develop the program. Senior technology experts from these organizations contributed to curriculum and learning outcomes, ensuring the program delivers the required knowledge, skills and professionalism of graduates.
Based on a proven U.K. model and Lassonde’s partnership with Shopify, offering its Dev Degree program at York (50 per cent workplace and 50 per cent classroom) since 2018, the new Digital Technologies program will operate on a full-calendar-year basis, with learners earning 30 credits per year. It will be offered through York’s Markham Campus and in its first year will be delivered through York University’s Learning Space in IBM Canada’s headquarters in Markham, Ont. In addition to accessing York University student services, learners will have a learning co-ordinator, professional skills coach, and a company supervisor to help mentor and support them. The experience and contacts they gain from working full-time throughout their degree are intended to give them a solid base for success after they graduate.
York welcomes international students
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By Elaine Smith
This fall, York University welcomes to its campuses more than 2,000 new international students who bring their unique experiences, perspectives, talents and skills to the University and to Canada.
Home to more than 10,000 international students from 178 countries, York is a community of diverse experiences, languages, cultures and viewpoints, notes Vinitha Gengatharan, assistant vice-president, global engagement and partnerships.
“This is a privilege we don’t take lightly,” she says. “We know that each journey to Canada began well before a plane, train or car ride to Toronto. We appreciate the trust placed in choosing York and the years of hard work that our international students and their families have put in to make studying at York University, far from home, possible.”
Gengatharan says the University is well-equipped to help steer international students through the challenges they may face, such as housing, finances and adjusting to a new culture, through supports and resources offered through York International (YI).
“We know how important international students are to our community and how much strength and value they bring to York and to Canada. York is committed to continuing to advocate with our municipal, provincial and federal governments to improve services, resources and processes that impact international students.”
First impressions
Nargis Rafie
Nargis Rafie grew up in Afghanistan and came to Canada as a refugee. She transferred to York this fall to study computer science and is living off campus. After attending YI’s orientation for international and exchange students, as well as a shopping expedition to help students buy essentials, she shared her first impressions of the University.
“The campus is beautiful and the staff is very friendly, helpful and quick to respond,” Rafie said.
Orientation, she said, helped her become familiar with campus and with the resources she needed to set up her new life. It also helped her meet other international students who she plans to stay in touch with.
Nigerian computer science student Fatima Yusuf transferred to York for her second year after attending another Ontario university.
“I wanted a school that had a co-op program and I wanted to be exposed to a more diverse group of people,” she said. “I volunteered at York’s orientation for international and exchange students, checking people at the registration desk. It was nice meeting different people, even briefly, and it was a diverse group.
Her twin sister, Khadija Yusuf, also transferred to York and will be studying commerce with an eye toward becoming an accountant. She jumped right into action, volunteering at orientation and attending a special session for students in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. She is already planning to join the accounting association and will see if her schedule permits other activities.
“I felt that York had better opportunities: more people, more resources and more activities,” said Khadija.
Sarah Bay-Cheng, dean of the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, is aware of the value international students contribute to the learning experience.
“Knowledge doesn’t stay in one place, but relies on the vital movement and exchange of ideas around the world,” says Bay-Cheng. “Global networks are, therefore, essential to the success of researchers, creatives and students everywhere.”
York International works closely with the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students and Faculties to design and deliver programs and services to ensure international students succeed and feel at home on campus. It serves as a central hub for international students, offering immigration advising, health insurance, orientation, social events, workshops, academic and career supports, and more.
“We are proud to provide so many excellent students from other countries with a home-away-from-home, and we are committed to ensuring their experience is a fulfilling one, academically, socially and developmentally,” says Woo Kim, director of international scholar and student services for York International.
“We work closely with university partners and Faculties to support students and provide an excellent experience for international students.”
For example, York International offers a Global Peer Program to support prospective and incoming first-year students, keeping them active and engaged as soon as they’ve received their offer to York, to better help them navigate their student journey. Current upper-year students remain connected with newly admitted students through monthly check-ins, virtual group connections and ongoing virtual support. This summer, 112 students completed the program.
Once international students arrive on campus, they are invited to an orientation program geared specifically toward their needs. They receive immigration guidance, are introduced to local community resources, such as banks and cellphone providers, and have the opportunity to network with other incoming students. They also engage in academic orientation delivered by the Faculties.
“Our goal is to support international students achieve success, in whatever way they define it, whichever path they choose,” said Gengatharan. “When international students succeed, it is a win for everyone at York and in Canada. “And, to our international students – you belong here, you bring so much to our community and we’re so glad you’ve chosen us.”
