During National Engineering Month in 2025, we marked the centennial of the Iron Ring, a symbol and ever-present reminder of the commitment engineers make to serving the public with integrity and ethics. As part of that commemoration, we shared several stories that highlighted the important contributions of engineers and the many ways they help to make our world a better place. Discover more about the future that engineers are building.
Amaury Camarena is using engineering to protect and preserve Canada’s coastal regions
Amaury Camarena, M.Sc., P.Eng., grew up next to the ocean in Mexico’s Baja California state and even worked as a lifeguard, so you might say he’s been contemplating coastlines all his life. He now leads a team of 12 coastal professionals as Manager, Coastal Science and Engineering, at CBCL Limited in Halifax, NS. In this leadership role, he’s opening doors for more coastal engineers to enter the field and improve the resilience of Canada’s shoreline environments.
Ayo Daniel Abiola believes more sustainable buildings are possible and essential
Ayo Daniel Abiola, P.Eng., CDP, PQS, says his drive to support sustainability in the building industry comes from both the past and the future.
Kristen Facciol built her love of robotics into a career with the Canadian Space Agency
Growing up, Kristen Facciol, P.Eng, wanted to be a pediatrician—until her high school algebra teacher pointed out Facciol’s facility for math and physics and suggested engineering might be a good fit. Information about engineering careers wasn't as easily accessible back then as it is now, so she assumed engineers built bridges or conducted trains. But after talking with her teacher and others, she realized that engineering could open doors to vast and exciting job opportunities.
The engineering of sound: Applying AI in the acoustics of mining operations
As a small child, Anthony Gérard, PhD, ing., was afraid of loud sounds—“fireworks, motorbikes, everything noisy”—and would cling to his mother in terror. Today, he is Director of Acoustics and Vibrations at Soft dB, a firm that specializes in solving noise and vibration problems for clients around the world. His journey has taken him from his native France to Quebec, from academia to private industry, and from music to engineering.
From the symbolism of the iron ring to engineering licensure: Enshrining ethics in engineering
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Calling of an Engineer, often known as the Obligation Ceremony, where engineering graduates receive their iron ring and make a commitment to ethical conduct.
Ryan Dunbar: Using engineering to help Indigenous communities succeed and thrive
Engineering has opened the door for Dunbar to make tangible change—not only for his own community, but for other Indigenous communities and engineers.
Canadian Engineering Grand Challenges: How Engineers Can Support Sustainable Development Goals
Adopted in 2015, the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for action to address a broad swath of issues including poverty, hunger, economic growth, energy, clean water, and infrastructure.
The engineering profession's continuing commitment to EDI
The Canadian engineering profession presents endless opportunities for engineers to turn passion and commitment to making the world a better place into solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges. Yet for much of its history—and still today—some people remain underrepresented in engineering, including women, racialized people, Indigenous people, those living with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.
100 years of the iron ring: A symbol of an engineer’s commitment
If you know a Canadian engineer, you may have noticed them wearing a ring on their pinky finger. Far from a fashion accessory, the iron ring symbolizes an obligation, or verbal commitment, that engineering graduates make—a tradition known as The Calling of an Engineer. The Obligation Ceremony has been modernized and updated in honour of its 100th anniversary this year.
