Administration | Georges J. Kipouros

2013-2016 - Dean, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, S.K., Canada

As Dean, College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, I worked diligently and strategically to further the interests of the College of Engineering and the University (see extended CV).

Major Accomplishments:

Raised funds and filled 8 faculty positions, 5 of them endowed research chairs, in 18 months. Began working to fill 6 additional positions.
In 2014, introduced, with the support and sponsorship of industry and APEGS, the first ever, College of Engineering annual Safety Training Program for undergraduate and graduate students to instill in them the culture of safety. Also introduced safety training and monitoring for every laboratory in which students participate.
Established a Hard Hat Ceremony for students as an induction into their various engineering disciplines and as a way to reinforce the high priority placed on safety as well as to remind students of their responsibilities as trained professionals to protect employees and society.
Led the College to achieve a full, **six year unconditional** and maximum accreditation term from the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) for seven undergraduate engineering programs under the CEAB's new outcome-based method of accreditation. A major factor was closing the loop of necessary information, which was achieved by the involvement of alumni, internship employers, and permanent employers, in assessing the outcome attributes of the University of Saskatchewan Engineering graduates.
Inaugurated the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development with two options: The Professional Communication Option (PCO) and the Engineering Entrepreneurship Option (EEO).
Created and filled the Endowed Jerry G. Huff Chair in Innovative Teaching in the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development.
Created the Endowed George La Borde Chair in Engineering Entrepreneurship in the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development. The Chair is now advertised.
Initiated the development of a M. Eng. degree in Project Management (Technical) in the professional school.
Raised the funds, created and filled the SaskPower Endowed Chair.
Developed the NSERC/SaskPower IRC Chair in Smart Grid Technology in Electrical Engineering.
Established an Endowed SISCO Chair in Mining Solutions, currently advertised.
Provided leadership in hiring professors and creating three Mining Engineering options in the Departments of Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Geological Engineering.
Created the Indigenous Peoples Initiatives Office in the College of Engineering and hired its first coordinator.
Worked with industry to create secured student internship employment for indigenous students.
Hired the first aboriginal professor in the College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan.
Raised over 2.7 million dollars in scholarship funds from contributions of various donors.
Introduced Donor and Student Scholarship Night for the College of Engineering where students meet with the donors as a way to thank donors and foster further opportunities for students and the College.
Increased student enrolment and doubled the number of students participating in internships.
Facilitated and implemented international exchange agreements with a number of international Universities globally.
Facilitated and signed transfer agreements with a number of Colleges and Universities in Saskatchewan and Alberta and established satellite engineering campuses in Saskatchewan in order to further increase enrollment for the College.
In 2014, inaugurated an annual month long program of visits, by students from Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) of India in order to showcase our facilities and recruit graduate students from India.
Established new means of communicating directly with undergraduate and graduate students by instituting town hall meetings held during each academic term.
Revitalized and staffed the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence in Transportation and Infrastructure (SCETI) which is the main funding agency for innovative research regarding transportation and road infrastructure. It is located in the College of Engineering and its Director report to the Dean who is the chair of the Advisory Council of SCETI.
Created the University’s first “Search for Experts” public searchable database engine, available for the College of Engineering.
Started the process of engineering building renewal and expansion planning by selecting a team of architectural firms to draft the master plan that will allow the reconfiguration and expansion of the 100 year old building in a way to accommodate the student number expansion that started during my tenure. In the first stage about 70% of the books in Engineering library were securely placed in another library (available upon request) and that created space for student groups to study.

2000-2005 - Assistant Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Dalhousie University

Halifax, N.S.

Major Accomplishments:

Coordinated and prepared the succesful application to the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) for all undergraduate engineering programs. The application resulted in achievin unconditionally the maximum accreditation term (6 years).
Coordinated and prepared the self study for the Dalhousie University Senate review of the Faculty of Engineering. The resulting Senate Review Report was very favourable to the achievements and the stability of the Faculty of Engineering.
Prepared for the approval of the Faculty Council the “Handbook of the Rules and Procedures” which establishes the governance policy of the Faculty of Engineering. Continued to update, amend and improve the Handbook.
Developed with the help of the Director, Facilities Management, the first ever space study of the Faculty of Engineering which resulted in a plan for space development. Presently, the designed building is being implemented to the Innovation and Design in Engineering and Architecture (IDEA) building.
Directed, as Chair of the Space Committee, the successful construction of the Biological Engineering “N” Building and continued the efforts to complete the internal structure of the building.
Developed with the help of the Director, Facilities Management, the options for Engineering campus redevelopment to create the space for the future needs of the Faculty of Engineering. These options were to be used for fundraising on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Engineering education in Nova Scotia.
Organized and Chaired the meetings for the reorganization of the Departments structure of the Faculty of Engineering.

1997-2000 - Vice-Chair, Dalhousie University Senate, Dalhousie University

Halifax, N.S.

The Dalhousie University Senate is the governing academic body of the university. It is comprised of 73 ex-officio and elected members from the Faculties of the university. The three officers of the Senate are the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Secretary. The Senate, as the elected governing body of the university, approves new programs, oversees the review of existing programs and ensures that comprehensive budget policies are followed.

Major Accomplishments:

My tenure in the Dalhousie University Senate (1997-2000) provided me with the opportunity to obtain a strong understanding of how the university works and to exercise fairness, equity and openness. I have also developed a better understanding and appreciation of the position of Faculties other than Engineering, within the university community.
As Vice-Chair of the Senate of Dalhousie University, in addition to other duties, I was in charge of organizing and carrying, through the Senate Academic Priorities and Budget Committee (SAPBC), the reviews of the Faculties of the university and other affiliated universities.
During my tenure, I oversaw the reviews of the Faculties of Medicine, Science, Arts and Social Sciences, Graduate Studies, and I initiated the review of the Faculties of Architecture and Engineering. These reviews involved Faculty self studies, submissions and interviews to review committees, visits, by invitation, of external referees who advised the Senate on the status of the specific Faculty in Canadian and International Academia. The Senate reviews the final report and its recommendations are implemented within 18 months.
I was also responsible for overseeing the reviews of the Institutions affiliated with Dalhousie that offer Dalhousie degrees. During my term as Vice-Chair, we conducted the review of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and King’s College. I also had an opportunity to participate as a committee member in the review of the Department of Chemistry.
My participation in, and occasional chairing of the Senate and the Senate Academic Priorities and Budget Committee (SAPBC), has resulted in enhancing my knowledge on the academic and budgetary approval of academic programs as well as the management of multi-faculty and multidisciplinary programs, which, I feel, will become very important in the future.

1994-2000 - Professor and Head, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, TUNS (DalTech)

Halifax, N.S.

Duties involved providing leadership in fiscal (annual budget of $1,200,000) and administrative matters for a two-program Department (10 faculty members, approximately 120 students), including undergraduate and graduate recruitment. The two programs of the Department are the only accredited such discipline programs in Atlantic Canada.

Major Accomplishments:

Established an Industry Advisory Committee to create an environment attracting industrial support for the Department.
Expanded the co-op program and combined it with internship to create 16 and 20 month work term periods.
Expanded the B. Eng co-op program and combined it with the graduate degrees of M.Eng. and M.A. Sc. This combined B.Eng./M.A.Sc. degree is now used as a model by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research to extend the co-op program to all engineering disciplines.

1990-1994 - Chair, Metallurgical Engineering Program, TUNS

Halifax, N.S

Major Accomplishments:

Established an Industry Advisory Committee to create an environment attracting industrial support for the program.
Introduced innovative industrial design courses which include entrepreneurship, industry collaboration in the delivery of the course and a corporate “Board” approach in evaluating the final design as part of the undergraduate curriculum.
Expanded the co-op program and combined it with internship to create 16 and 20 month work term periods.
Worked with the students to form the first in North America combined CIM/TMS Student Chapter.