To help shape the future of engineering, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) is launching a unique hands-on engineering innovation challenge designed for University of Waterloo’s engineering students.
The Toyota Engineering Innovation Challenge was part of TMMC’s funding announcement of $2.1 million to Waterloo Engineering -- the largest single financial donation ever made to a Canadian university.
The funding for the challenge and a number of student, outreach and research initiatives was announced December 9 in the University’s Engineering 7 building by Fred Volf, president of TMMC.
Toyota shares Faculty's research priorities
“We see our contribution to the University of Waterloo as an investment,” said Volf. “It’s an investment in education, it’s an investment in innovation and, very particularly, the automotive industry. Toyota shares many of Waterloo Engineering’s research priorities and we hope our latest contribution will help advance the future of engineering.”
TMMC's donation of $2.1 million was celebrated by from left: Scott McKenzie, TMMC's senior national manager of external affairs, Pearl Sullivan, dean of Waterloo Engineering, Fred Volf, president of TMMC, Feridun Hamdullahpur, president of the University of Waterloo, and Stephanie Pollard, TMMC's vice president administration.
In recognition of TMMC’s financial support, a wing on the third floor of Engineering 7 dedicated to faculty and student research in additive manufacturing will be renamed the Toyota Additive Manufacturing Wing.
To reflect the company’s support in increasing diversity in the field of engineering, Outreach space on the main floor of Engineering 7 will be named the Toyota Outreach Space. TMMC will also be formally recognized as a partner in the Engineering Ideas Clinic® at the Founder level.
As well, TMMC will be the title sponsor of the University’s annual AutoTech Symposium for the next five years.
“Our partnership with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada allows our students and researchers to tackle difficult engineering and business challenges facing the automotive industry and come up with truly new and sustainable solutions that will strengthen the competitiveness of the Canadian sector,” said Pearl Sullivan, dean of Waterloo Engineering.
TMMC is a past recipient of Waterloo Engineering’s Friend of the Faculty Award. It was presented to the company in recognition of its strong commitment to joint research ventures, financial contributions to student projects and awards, and mentoring and hiring numerous alumni and students.