On December 3, 2015, at the World Engineering Conference and Convention in Kyoto, Japan, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) announced Chandana Wirasinghe, P.Eng., PhD, as the 2015 recipient of the Medal of Excellence in Engineering Education.
On December 3, 2015, at the World Engineering Conference and Convention in Kyoto, Japan, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) announced Chandana Wirasinghe, P.Eng., PhD, as the 2015 recipient of the Medal of Excellence in Engineering Education.
The professor in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Calgary and founding dean of the Schulich School of Engineering becomes the first Canadian and the first Sri Lankan to receive this medal.
The biennial award honours individuals with noteworthy contributions to the improvement of engineering education and significant educational accomplishments. Wirasinghe has dedicated his career to teaching, research and service in the engineering community.
“This award means a lot to me because it is also a recognition for the Schulich School,” said Wirasinghe in a press release from the University of Calgary.
“I believe that much of this award is due to what we achieved as a whole school while I was dean. It’s a big component of my accomplishments. I’m proud to share this recognition with the entire school, faculty and staff.”
Wirasinghe became the dean of the Schulich School in 1994 and held the post until July 2006. During his tenure, he advanced the school to be one of the best in Canada.
Under his leadership, the school launched new Bachelor of Science programs in manufacturing, oil and gas, computer and software engineering, and a specialization in biomedical engineering. He oversaw the expansion of the internship program from 35 to more than 400 placements, grew the Engineering Associates Program from 35 to over 100 members, increased first-year enrolment from 370 to 730 students, and established more than 30 research chairs. He also initiated the Women in Engineering Committee (now called the Gender and Diversity in Engineering Committee).
“My vision as dean was to become the top engineering school in Canada and to do that, we need to attract the best faculty, students and researchers,” said Wirasinghe. “We are at a point where people are choosing Schulich as their first choice not because we are in Calgary […] but because we offer a high-quality educational experience.”
Wirasinghe continues to be active in the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and Engineers Canada.
