Canada's Largest Engineering School

Dr. Mary Wells, dean of Waterloo Engineering, recently marked the 100th anniversary of Canada’s iron ring tradition with alumni in Hong Kong. The ceremony took place at the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference, a gathering of academics, business leaders and engineers from across the region and the world.  

The iron ring ceremony remains a defining symbol of Canada’s approach to professional education. It asks new engineers to pledge to do work that is ethical, accountable and socially responsible.  

Waterloo Engineering is mourning the loss of Professor Emeritus Bruce Hutchinson, a respected teacher and early builder of the Faculty’s civil engineering program. Hutchinson passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born in Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia, Prof. Hutchinson grew up in a family that prized work ethic, ambition and adventure. He graduated from Canterbury Boys’ High School and earned his civil engineering degree from the University of Sydney in 1956. 

Dr. Mary Wells, the Dean of Waterloo Engineering, urged the Canadian government in a memo not to allow anyone under 18 years of age to interact with artificial intelligence (AI) companion models “that attempt to develop an emotional bond or have been designed to be manipulative or addictive in nature.”

Wells submitted that recommendation and others after being appointed last year to an AI strategy task force by Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon, who is expected to publish a new government AI strategy as early as next month based in part on input from the expert panel.