University of Toronto: Don Sadoway, Convocation 2013 Honorary Degree recipient

TL;DR

A graduate reflects on the value of their engineering education and encourages fellow graduates to pursue their passion and aim high in solving society's big problems.

Transcript

the oxford english dictionary defines honoris causa as in order to honor a person mentioned now used chiefly as a description of such university degrees are conferred upon persons in recognition of certain distinctions or achievements without the customary examination or thesis no exam no thesis just this brief commentary it's not bad now i see bef... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤪 Education goes beyond the classroom and laboratory, providing valuable knowledge and transferable skills.
• 🖐️ Role models play a significant role in influencing personal and professional conduct.
• 💗 Engineers have a vital role as stewards of the Earth's resources in a world with growing constraints.
• 💪 Strong bonds between individuals are crucial for personal and societal development.
• 😃 Graduates are encouraged to find their passion, aim high, and work on solving society's big problems.
• 🆘 The importance of considering and helping those who are less fortunate.
• 🥡 Taking on great technological challenges can inspire innovation and progress.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the speaker's educational background?

The speaker earned a bachelor's degree in NCI and went on to obtain a master's and Ph.D. in extractive metallurgy. They express a deep appreciation for their education at the University of Toronto.

Q: What is the distinction made between a scientist and an engineer?

The speaker explains that a scientist discovers what already exists, while an engineer creates something that never was. They refer to engineers as stewards of the Earth's resources and emphasize the importance of their role in an interconnected world with resource constraints.

Q: What is the fifth type of bond mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker discusses a fifth type of bond that cannot be broken, which refers to the bond formed between people over time. They emphasize the importance of building strong connections among individuals in the community.

Q: What advice does the speaker give to graduates?

The speaker advises graduates to find their passion and pursue it, not settling for a mediocre life. They also encourage aiming high and solving society's big problems while considering those less fortunate. They quote President Kennedy's speech about taking on great technological challenges and striving for the maximum ripple effect.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker reflects on their education in applied science and engineering at the University of Toronto, emphasizing the valuable knowledge and transferable skills gained beyond the classroom.

• They highlight the importance of role models and the university's nurturing of a community of scholars.

• The speaker discusses the definition of an engineer and stresses the need for engineering education in a world with growing constraints on resources.