All month long, National Engineering Month (NEM) Ontario is continuing to highlight leaders who are shaping the future of engineering in Ontario. In this exclusive conversation, we speak with Janusz Kozinski, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Lakehead University, and Edward Evans, Manager of Communications, Strategy, and External Relations, to explore how Lakehead is breaking barriers, fostering innovation, and making engineering more accessible for all.
Lakehead University has a long-standing reputation for innovation in engineering education. What inspires your approach, and how does it align with NEM Ontario?
Dean Kozinski: At Lakehead, we see engineering as an extremely creative field. Many of our students come in with ambitions shaped not just by universities but also by the companies and industries driving technological advancement. Our role is to equip them with the knowledge and skills to thrive. National Engineering Month aligns perfectly with our mission—we want to ensure the public truly understands engineering’s contributions to society and inspire future generations to join the field.
Edward Evans: This year’s theme, Engineers Open Doors, resonates with us. Engineering has traditionally had a narrow entry path, with most students joining directly from high school. At Lakehead, we’ve worked for over 50 years to change that through our diploma-to-degree transfer program, providing pathways for college and polytechnic students and working professionals. The demand for engineers is growing, and we believe they shouldn’t all have to follow the same linear path to enter the profession. We are continuing to innovate by developing more pathways into engineering for underrepresented groups and for people whose experience and credentials are often not recognized, such as military veterans.
National Engineering Month kicks off with P.Eng. Day. How does Lakehead celebrate professional engineers, and what does earning a P.Eng. mean to you?
Dean Kozinski: We are deeply committed to professional engineering. We are hosting all of our graduating students for a session on ethics and law, preparing them for the transition to professional practice. Additionally, our student clubs, engineering societies, and local PEO chapter actively engage with high school students and even international delegations. This year, we are welcoming students from Germany to showcase how engineering is celebrated globally.
Edward Evans: Our strong partnership with the Lakehead PEO chapter reflects our dedication to the profession. Many of its members are our alumni, which speaks to the impact of our programs on engineering in Northwestern and Central Ontario.
How does Lakehead embrace new technologies, trends, or disciplines to stay ahead of the curve?
Dean Kozinski: One of our biggest initiatives is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across all engineering courses. AI is transforming the field, and we want our students to be at the forefront. We’re leveraging hybrid learning, AI, and virtual labs to make our engineering programs more accessible.
Edward Evans: Every day, I receive emails from prospective students asking if they can study engineering remotely due to their professional and personal commitments that makes a traditional campus education impossible for them. While the options have been limited up to now, AI and augmented reality could create new ways for students to gain hands-on experience virtually. This is something we are actively exploring.
Lakehead is also expanding its presence in Ontario. Can you tell us about the new STEM Hub in Barrie?
Dean Kozinski: This is one of our most exciting projects. We are establishing new engineering programs to be delivered in the heart of downtown Barrie starting in 2026 in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Software Engineering – and soon, Computer Engineering. We will offer accredited Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) programs for high school students and post-diploma pathways for college and polytechnic students. There will also be Master’s degrees and PhD programs available in engineering at the new location, as we will be partnering with employers and industries in the Barrie and Simcoe County region to offer co-op opportunities for students and to develop collaborative research projects. This initiative will make engineering education more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds in Simcoe County, Markham, Newmarket, and Vaughan.
Professional growth is essential in engineering. How does Lakehead support learning, development, or mentorship for engineers at all stages of their careers?
Dean Kozinski: Professionalism and mentorship are at the core of our engineering programs. We offer a course on professional ethics and law to prepare students for careers as engineers-in-training or professional engineers. Additionally, we provide mentorship programs for our students, pairing them with upper-year students and our alumni to help them navigate their academic and career paths.
What inspires your team to make an impact through engineering? Do you have a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?
Dean Kozinski: Our most ambitious project now is the Centre of Excellence in Critical Minerals Processing, which we are establishing, focusing on sustainable mining and mineral processing. We will soon be appointing a new Industrial Research Chair in Critical Minerals Processing to lead this initiative, which has received funding from industrial partners and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), positioning Lakehead University as a leader in critical minerals research.
National Engineering Month is about inspiring the next generation. What advice do you have for young people considering a career in engineering?
Dean Kozinski: Be curious, embrace challenges, and seek experiences beyond the classroom. Engineering is about solving real-world problems—whether that means designing sustainable cities or developing new AI technologies. Engineering opens doors to incredible opportunities, and I encourage young people to explore its many pathways.
What excites you most about being part of National Engineering Month?
Dean Kozinski: The opportunity to connect with engineers, students, and industry leaders. Last year, our participation led to new collaborations with PEO and the Association of Consulting Engineers. National Engineering Month is a catalyst for year-round collaboration and growth in Ontario’s engineering community.
31 days. 31 Reasons to Get Involved in National Engineering Month.
National Engineering Month is your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired by the incredible work happening in Ontario’s engineering community. Attend events, engage with industry leaders, and discover how engineering shapes the world around us. Find an event near you and join the celebration.
