Brock University’s Integrated Engineering program will take hands-on learning to new heights thanks to recent support from the province.

The University has received $281,250 in funding from the Government of Ontario for an Engineering and Science Design Studio that will enhance programming in the Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering.

The grant from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Training Equipment and Renewal Fund (TERF) aims to help Ontario universities acquire learning resources that will deliver the education and training required to meet the needs of employers and support the province’s economy.

“We are thrilled about this substantial investment from the Ontario government,” said Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg. “This support enables us to provide students with the latest tools and technologies to align their education with industry standards. It will also significantly enhance our new Integrated Engineering program, fostering innovative learning and equipping students with the skills needed to excel in the evolving engineering landscape.”

The creation of an accessible design studio provides a rich, experiential learning environment that fosters collaboration and creativity for Brock’s science and engineering students.

The studio will be equipped with technology and tools for design through prototyping, manufacturing and testing and will feature hands-on, experiential learning with industry and community partnerships that helps connect theory with practice.

Students will be prepared to tackle complex, real-world multidisciplinary engineering projects in evolving areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, bioengineering, transportation, sustainable agriculture, green energy and more. The first cohort of Engineering students will use the studio and much of its equipment during first-year experiential learning labs starting in September and it is anticipated that the space and more advanced equipment will be available for all Engineering and Physics projects by the end of the Fall Term.

“This support will ensure students at Brock University have access to modern instructional equipment to meet business and industry standards and enhance the overall student experience,” said the Honourable Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries and Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West.

“By investing in post-secondary infrastructure, we are not only supporting our local economy right here in Niagara, but ensuring students develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce,” he added.

The new design studio will play a key role in helping to meet the needs of the engineering sector, which is experiencing a national labour shortage.

This investment will also foster innovation and hands-on learning across the University, serving as an educational resource for some of Brock’s youth programs, such as the two-day on-campus Scientifically Yours conference for Grade 10 and 11 students, along with supporting various events and programs, including Brock’s future robotics teams.

Brock also received more than $3.5 million in funding through the Facilities Renewal Program in 2023-24. This funding supports critical maintenance, repairs, upgrades and renewal of existing facilities, further aiding the development of the new design studio.

“By investing in the future of innovation, we are providing the necessary tools and resources for our students to transform their ideas into reality,” said Shahryar Rahnamayan, Professor and Chair of the Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering. “Our new design studio will be a centre of creativity and ingenuity, where students can collaborate, experiment and push the boundaries of engineering design. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and I am confident that our students will achieve remarkable milestones and make impactful contributions to the world.”