Congratulations, President Abd-El-Aziz!

One year after UPEI announced the launch of the School of Sustainable Design Engineering, the association for professional engineers on PEI recognized President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz with the prestigious “Friend of the Profession Award” at its annual awards banquet.

Presented to someone who is not a professional engineer, the “Friend” award pays tribute to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the practice of Engineering on PEI. New Engineers PEI President David Taylor, who happens to be Manager, Environmental Services at UPEI, read the citation.

“Dr. Abd-El-Aziz has worked closely with groups inside and outside the University to identify and develop new programs that benefit students and our communities. One such development is the UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering, the first of its kind in Canada,” said Taylor. “Through its innovative model, this program provides students, industry, and community organizations with unprecedented opportunities to collaborate on ‘real world’ challenges and solutions.”

“He has contributed great time and energy to fulfilling a vision of UPEI becoming a national leader in Sustainable Design Engineering, and has done so ‘at the speed of business’.”

“Dr. Abd-El-Aziz has engaged many PEI engineering professionals and UPEI alumni to ensure the integrity of the program and candid input of employers and industry is considered at all times. He has also led the building of an outstanding Engineering Industry Advisory Committee to ensure the program maintains timely input on industry needs.”

“I am so honoured to receive this award from Engineers PEI, and especially to receive it from my colleague and new President of the association, David Taylor,” said President Abd-El-Aziz while accepting the award.

“Three years ago I spoke of the dream that UPEI and Engineers PEI shared, to build a School of Sustainable Design Engineering,” added Abd-El-Aziz. “And now, due to the efforts of many in the engineering and broader community, that dream has come true. I share this award with, and thank, everyone who has worked on making this program a reality.”

Engineers PEI President Taylor’s final comment summed up the sentiment in the room.

“Dr. Abd-El-Aziz’s willingness to take a risk in programming and his considerable passion in following through on this vision is historical for UPEI and our province.”