The Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education recognizes an engineer who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to the education and development of engineering students at a Canadian higher education institution.
Eligibility criteria
Recipients must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be registered in good standing as an engineer (P.Eng., or ing.) with one of Canada’s engineering regulators.
- Be a full-time or part-time faculty member at a Canadian higher education institution with teaching responsibilities in an CEAB-accredited engineering program.
- Have not previously received this award, the Meritorious Service Award for Community Service, or the Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession.
- Engineers Canada’s Board Directors, staff of Engineers Canada, staff of Canadian engineering regulators, and sitting councillors for Canadian engineering regulators are not eligible until two years have passed between the last day of their term of office or employment and the nomination deadline.
- Where an institution or organization is a lead nominator for multiple nominations, they may only nominate a successful recipient in a maximum of two award categories, excluding the Gold Medal Student Award. The order of precedence for determination of eligibility will be:
- Gold Medal Award
- Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education
- Meritorious Service Award for Professional Service
- Meritorious Service Award for Community Service
- Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession
Selection criteria
To be considered, nomination packages must be submitted in full, on time, and not exceeding character, word, or page limits. Late or incomplete nomination packages will not be considered. Content in excess of the character, word, or page limit will not be considered.
In preparing a nomination package, you are encouraged to use concrete examples and be specific in describing the role(s) performed by the nominee, the impact of the contribution, and relevance to this award.
The Engineers Canada Awards Committee will assess each nomination using the following criteria:
Impact of teaching effectiveness (40 points)
Using specific examples, nominees should demonstrate some or all of the following:
- Development of effective and innovative teaching strategies.
- Effective delivery of teaching strategies.
- Effective and appropriate use of technology to enhance teaching.
- Effective use of assessment methods.
- Sustained development of excellence in students.
- Teaching that is effective for, and accessible to, all students.
- Promotion of mastery by students of content, ideas or sophisticated processes beyond the normal program expectations.
- Commitment to continual improvement in instructional techniques.
Leadership and service to students (40 points)
Using specific examples, nominees should demonstrate some or all of the following:
- Leadership and special assistance to enhance academic and personal development of students both within and out of the classroom.
- Support of student access to effective engineering education regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.
- Support of leadership opportunities for students in the engineering industry in areas such as:
- The development of mentorship and other programs outside of the classroom setting to support undergraduate students.
- Assistance in the development and delivery of valued-added co-operative education programs, internship programs and, professional mentorship programs.
- Promoting awareness of the benefits of engineering licensure to students.
- Support of student leadership opportunities to engage in the engineering profession in areas such as:
- Support of local engineering student chapters.
- Support of participation in design competitions.
- Support of student events and outreach initiatives.
- Support of student engineering conferences and competitions.
- Support of independent projects.
Contributions to engineering education (10 points):
Using specific examples, nominees should demonstrate some or all of the following:
- Sharing of effective teaching methods.
- Contributions to the professional development of engineering educators through venues such as organizing and participating in seminars, workshops, conferences, or other events for colleagues on teaching/learning topics.
- Contributions to teaching and learning research that goes beyond the engineering discipline-focused research of the nominee.
- Contributions to effective curriculum design.
- Contributions to the improvement of student learning assessment.
- Leadership and mentorship among their faculty colleagues.
Service to the profession (10 points)
Using specific examples, nominees should demonstrate some or all of the following:
- Exemplary service to the profession through active and impactful participation in engineering associations, societies, institutes, and other professional bodies.
- Significant contribution to the advancement of the profession through activities that address challenges within the profession and/or inspire and mentor the next generation of engineers.
- Success in advancing Canadians’ understanding of the role of engineering and professional engineers in society.
Award benefits
- The Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education recipient is presented with their award and certificate during the annual Engineers Canada Awards Gala, held each year in conjunction with Engineers Canada’s Spring Meetings and Annual Meeting of Members. The event typically takes place in late May.
- Recipients of the Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education are admitted as a Fellow of Engineers Canada (FEC).
- Award recipients participate in promotional activities arranged by Engineers Canada.
How to apply
The nomination form must be completed online in a single session (you cannot save your work and come back to it later). It is strongly recommended to read the nomination form entirely before you begin to ensure you have all necessary information and documents ready. In addition to completing the form, required documents include:
- Three letters of support
- Each letter should provide evidence and validation of the contributions described in the nomination package. (2 pages maximum per letter).
- At least one letter of support must be from an engineer.
- At least one letter of support must be from a current engineering student with direct knowledge of the nominee’s contribution.
Nominations are currently closed. The nomination period for the upcoming year will open in the fall of 2024.