Drone view of the John Hodgins Engineering Building

Strategic plan

We are embarking on a transformative journey with the launch of our actionable five-year strategic plan.

Engineering a brighter future

I’m thrilled to share with you our Faculty of Engineering Strategic Plan: Engineering a Brighter Future.  

Our plan will serve as a roadmap to 2029, helping us chart a course together.  

Engineering a Brighter Future is the culmination of months of planning and input from workshops and focus groups including more than 200 student leaders, staff, faculty, alumni and advisors.

I’m tremendously proud to action a strategy informed by our Faculty’s greatest asset – our people. Engineering a Brighter Future incorporates the best elements of our Faculty with a future-focused lens. I’m excited to unite our Faculty around this path forward. 

This strategic planning process reinforced the impact our Faculty has on shaping individual learners, inspiring communities, and transforming industry. The ripple effects of our work are felt locally and globally. 

Sincerely,

Heather Sheardown
Dean, Faculty of Engineering

Download a PDF of the strategic plan

Our vision

Leaders in advancing engineering for global change.

Our mission

Empowering agile and globally conscious leaders in engineering who collaborate to create a brighter future.

Values

Explore the values that inspire our community and fuel our mission to transform the world through engineering.

At McMaster Engineering, our values define who we are and guide everything we do. Rooted in excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, these principles shape our approach to education, research, and community impact. They drive us to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and create a future that is not only technologically advanced but also socially responsible.

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  • Optimistic

    We approach change with curiosity and aspire to have a positive impact on society and the world.

  • Purposeful

    We nurture creativity and innovation, drawing on a foundation of exceptional teaching, research, experiences and service to inspire future leaders to make a real-world impact and drive advancements in engineering.

  • Inclusive

    We build a respectful community and inspire belonging by celebrating our unique perspectives and creating barrier-free pathways to engineering

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  • Resilient

    We are ambitious in our planning, embracing change, setbacks, risk and innovation as catalysts to success in an ever-changing world.

  • Connected

    We promote interdisciplinarity and foster collaboration, showing dedication to continuous improvement with an emphasis on sustainable and ethical solutions.

Priorities

By aligning our efforts with these strategic goals, we empower our students, faculty, and partners to push boundaries, solve global challenges, and create lasting change.

To shape the future of engineering, we are focused on key priorities that drive meaningful impact. These priorities reflect our commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing student experiences, advancing research excellence, and building a more inclusive and sustainable world.

OUR APPROACH IS STUDENT-CENTRIC, PRIORITIZING LEARNERS IN ALL WE DO

Unparalleled Student Experience

1a Continue to evolve our curriculum through rigorous pedagogical research and reflection, preparing globally aware graduates poised to deliver profound impact.

1b Create a world-class and accessible experience, from admissions to post-graduation, by providing comprehensive support, services and resources for the professional, personal, and academic growth of our diverse community.

1c Equip resilient graduates with valuable skills and experiences gained through co-op, research opportunities, clubs, teams and projects, empowering them to thrive in their professional careers.

1d Cultivate a vibrant alumni and industry network to enhance our programs and bolster student success

A woman with a braided ponytail and blue gloves is operating laboratory equipment alongside another individual. They are working with a bioreactor setup, carefully adjusting tubes connected to a stainless-steel apparatus. The setup includes a control screen displaying scientific data.
OUR NOVEL IDEAS AND APPLICATIONS POSITIVELY IMPACT LIVES

Innovation with Impact

2a Strengthen research funding and partnerships aligned with local and national priorities as well as UN Sustainable Development Goals, driving innovation in areas including Bio-innovation, Energy and the Environment, Mobility, and Advanced Manufacturing, while adeptly navigating shifting priorities.

2b Lead the digital revolution in engineering, with expertise in data analytics, AI, automation, smart systems and sensor technologies, and the integration of these into all aspects of our lives.

2c Establish a robust support framework to enhance faculty research by nurturing industry collaborations, streamlining the grant application process and expanding resources to acquire and execute on funding.

2d Build an entrepreneurship ecosystem that grows and empowers student, faculty and staff- led start-ups by accelerating technology transfer and commercialization, while facilitating access to capital and resources for early-stage ventures.

Students working in a materials engineering lab
OUR INCLUSIVE GLOBAL NETWORK IS STRENGTHENED THROUGH COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP

Extended Global Reach

3a Develop an integrated partnership framework for seamless collaboration in building our global network of co-op employers, community and research partners, alumni and donors.

3b Boldly communicate and celebrate our success, strengthening our international reputation to attract and retain diverse students, researchers, faculty members, staff and partners.

3c Enhance global mobility and collaboration opportunities that enrich our social consciousness with diverse perspectives.

3d Foster public and private sector partnerships that support cutting-edge research, elevate the visibility and prominence of unique infrastructure and capabilities, and facilitate international collaborations.

three students working on a torch.
OUR STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SPACE ENABLES SUCCESS

Aligned Investments

4a Thoughtfully design both new and existing spaces to ensure they are well-equipped to serve the evolving needs of our diverse community.

4b Enhance and expand space for experiential learning in academic, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, creating environments for student collaboration to flourish.

4c Invest in our dedicated staff, faculty and researchers, enabling their growth and career advancement, fostering retention and acknowledging their pivotal role in advancing the Faculty’s mission.

4d Implement technological solutions to enhance the administration, teaching and research functions, which will aid in the sharing of resources, assessment of impacts and facilitate decisions based on data insights.