Between 2020-2025, despite challenges from the global pandemic, the Faculty of Science achieved historic highs in total student enrolment, reflecting the growing reputation and appeal of its programs. For 2024-2025 the Faculty of Science enrolled 5,137 undergraduate and graduate students by headcount, a 12% increase over 2019-20. It welcomed more than 25 outstanding new faculty members, including three distinguished Black scholars, strengthening the Faculty’s commitment to academic excellence and equity.

Under Dean Wang’s leadership, the Faculty established its first International office, spearheading global engagement and partnerships, securing 36 active MOUs with universities and institutions in more than a dozen countries, including 12 dynamic collaborations in mainland China alone. These connections fostered global exchange and created invaluable pathways for international student recruitment and research collaborations.

The Faculty’s research funding during Dean Wang’s term reached unprecedented heights, surpassing $20 million three years in a row between 2022-25. During this time, the Faculty recruited talented researchers, celebrated new and renewed Chair positions, pioneered strong research clusters, and established new industrial partnerships.

Dean Wang has been deeply committed to ensuring that curriculum and pedagogy remain at the forefront of academic excellence. During the last five years, the Faculty of Science developed a range of innovative academic programs including its BA / BSc in Data Science and its Master of Biotechnology Management at Markham Campus.

Dean Wang also led the creation of non-traditional academic programing in the Faculty of Science, creating significant new revenue streams and attractive offerings for prospective students. These include the Visiting International Fee-Paying Students Program and the Faculty’s first microcredentials in Vaccine Production and Quality Control, NMR Spectroscopy for Industry, and Visual Analytics & Modelling. These microcredentials offer in-demand, industry-skills-focussed programming.

And, recognizing the need to enhance employability for its students, the Faculty improved co-op offerings to help graduates gain real-world career experience, expanding co-op to nearly all Science programs, with a 32% improvement in placement rates.

Fundraising and philanthropy were a key focus of Dean Wang’s mandate, with more than $14 million raised over five years in support of our students and researchers. This includes a $1.6 million gift secured by Dean Wang for the new 3,843-square-foot Taihua Wang Science Student Success Centre, opened in Spring 2025.

During his tenure, Dean Wang also focussed on strategic communications, hiring staff to coordinate the Faculty’s communications, website, and social media presence in support of its strategic objectives. As a result, the Faculty’s communications capabilities and brand have been enhanced, with significant growth in social platforms, a revamped website, and improved communications to our key audiences.

Furthering its community outreach and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the Faculty’s Science Engagement Programs now reach more than 3,000 youth annually, with 43% from marginalized communities, through fully subsidized initiatives and partnerships supporting Black youth in STEM, girls, and gender-diverse students.

And, last but not least, Dean Wang fostered an inclusive, supportive community within the Faculty of Science—most notably through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic—demonstrating adaptability and care for students, faculty, and staff. He launched the Community 2022 initiative, helping community members reconnect in person, supporting the return to a more robust on-campus presence, and addressing key challenges together.

These achievements are a testament to Dean Wang’s inspiring leadership in partnership with dedicated faculty and staff, and the support of the entire Faculty of Science community. As we look to the future, the Faculty of Science at �첥��Ƶ is poised for even greater innovation, global engagement, and impact.

With gratitude and pride,

Dr. Mark Lievonen
Chair, Dean’s Special Advisory Board
Faculty of Science

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The Faculty of Science held its 4^th annual Dean’s Special Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, June 19, at �첥��Ƶ’s Markham Campus.  

Board members—drawn from industry, academia, government, and healthcare—offered strategic advice on key issues, including responding to industry demand for science programs, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhancing partnerships with local companies. 

Dean Rui Wang provided an annual progress report, highlighting the achievements of the Faculty of Science in the strategic areas of teaching, research, and service, including a total of $14.2M in philanthropic donations raised over the last five years.  The Board further brainstormed and advised on opportunities and challenges for the Faculty of Science in the coming years.  
 
The meeting also marked Dr. Mark Lievonen’s appointment as Board Chair, recognizing his leadership in the science and biotech sectors, having served as President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Co-Chair of Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, and within numerous high profile industry boards and organizations.  

The Faculty of Science thanks all members for their valuable insights and looks forward to another year of collaboration and progress. 

The post Advisory Board Offers Strategic Guidance to Faculty of Science at 2025 Markham Campus Meeting appeared first on Faculty of Science.

J. Mark Lievonen

Chair

Dr. Lievonen, C.M., is the former President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited, the Canadian vaccine division of Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical company. Under his leadership, Sanofi Pasteur became a billion dollar enterprise in Canada. Dr. Lievonen... READ MORE

Allan Carswell

Dr. Carswell joined �첥��Ƶ in 1968 as a Professor of Physics, focusing on high-power lasers and the application of laser radar “LIDAR” techniques for remote sensing and environmental diagnostics. 1974, Dr. Carswell founded Optech... READ MORE

Barbara Bellissimo

The former Canadian head for the largest Property and Casualty company in North America, State Farm Insurance, Bellissimo was accountable for 3,000+ employees, 650+ independent agencies and over $3B of revenues. Having worked in many... READ MORE

Catherine Zahn

Dr. Zahn was appointed Ontario Deputy Minister of Health in September 2021. Dr. Zahn has a 35-year history of contributions to the Ontario health care sector, as a practising physician and in progressive leadership roles... READ MORE

Charles Hantho

Dr. Hantho is a highly respected executive in the chemical industry in Canada, who has held leadership positions in numerous professional and community organizations. Dr. Hantho graduated with a BSc In Chemical Engineering from University... READ MORE

Dion Neame

Dr. Neame graduated from Medical School in 1991, followed by postgraduate training in Internal Medicine at Michigan State University and Pediatrics at McMaster University. He completed a fellowship in Primary Prevention of Disease / Clinical... READ MORE

John L. Wallace

Dr. Wallace is a medical scientist and Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Antibe Therapeutics Inc., a publicly-traded biotech company based in Toronto. Dr. Wallace is also founder of the Inflammation Research Network at the University of Calgary... READ MORE

Justin Poy

Poy is an award-winning advertising executive who has built his career in the context of Canada’s diversity and inclusion. The Justin Poy Agency (JPA), established in 1993, has created some of the country’s most iconic... READ MORE

Laura Pagnotta

Pagnotta leads communications for the Roche Canada Pharmaceuticals Division, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. A passionate collaborator, Pagnotta has dedicated nearly 25 years to giving voice and presence to patients, families and healthcare workers in service... READ MORE

Peter Pekos

Pekos is CEO of Dalton Pharma Services, which he co-founded in 1986. He has managed all phases of its growth into a leading supplier of contract drug development and manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical... READ MORE

Samer Bishay

Bishay is President and CEO of Iristel and Ice Wireless, leading providers of wireless and wireline IP services. As Iristel's founder, Bishay led the company from a small startup to an international telecommunications service provider... READ MORE

Shehzad Iqbal

Dr. Iqbal is the Country Medical Director at Moderna Canada, leading research initiatives and implementation of mRNA vaccines and future medicines. Dr. Iqbal comes from an extensive academic and industry-based Research & Development (R&D) background.... READ MORE

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