Congratulations to Dr. Hassan Farhangi, Director, BCIT Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART), for receiving the Foresight 2022 Cleantech Top Educator Award on March 24, 2022. As a recipient of the Top Educator Award, Dr. Farhangi is recognized for his leading, innovative, and collaborative approach to education in cleantech.
Foresight is Canada’s Cleantech accelerator, bringing together innovators, industry, investors, government, and academia to address today’s most urgent climate issues and support a global transition to a green economy. This award celebrates influential leaders from throughout the BC Cleantech ecosystem who are making an impact on education.
Congratulatory message from the Honourable Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation:
“Congratulations on winning this award for your role as an educator who is taking an innovative and leading approach to education in cleantech. I commend you and your team for developing a successful 10-year track record in Smart Grid R&D in which British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is currently working with different Canadian, international partners and clients in consulting, educational and training services. In addition, to providing these services, I am pleased to see the Energy Oasis Project as Canada’s first campus-based smart power microgrid that was named one of the Top 50 BC Innovations to Watch.”
“Our government has also recently launched the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE). CICE aims to collaborate with industry, governments, and academics to accelerate the commercialization and scale-up of BC-based clean energy technologies.”
“Foresight is proud to recognize all the amazing people and organizations committed to C
anada’s net-zero transition at the BC Cleantech Awards,” said Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight Canada. “We are excited to see Dr. Farhangi chosen by the panel of judges. His work in educating the next generation of changemakers and dedication to Canada’s green future are appreciated. We are honoured to recognize him as this year’s Top Educator.”
“This award reflects the success of BCIT in developing innovative educational programs that are enriched by applied research initiatives and close collaboration with industry partners,” said Dr. Hassan Farhangi, Director, SMART. “The BCIT Master of Engineering in Smart Grids Systems and Technologies is the first postgraduate cleantech program, which was built on the foundation of 15 years of focussed Applied Research in Smart Grids at BCIT.”
Dr. Hassan Farhangi was instrumental in the launch of the Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies (MEng SGST). This Master’s program leverages BCITʼs decade long research results, domain expertise, world-class infrastructure, seasoned faculty, and strategic partnerships with industry to offer a unique graduate program. This program is aimed at providing students with the competencies required to conduct research, plan, design, implement, maintain, commission, and operate Smart Grid systems and applications in the electric utility and related sectors.
About the Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies program
Graduates of MEng in SGST will develop hands-on knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts involved in Smart Grid technologies employed in Critical Infrastructure, including applications in renewable energies, green transportation, and smart cities. The program prepares students with the skills and capacity to combine knowledge from several areas traditionally taught in separate programs, including electrical power systems, computer science, and ICT (information and communications technology) to address strategic challenges, which the utility industry across the world faces in reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to Green Economy.
ABOUT SMART
For more than a decade, BCIT Smart Microgrid Applied Research Tem (SMART) converges expertise in the information technology, communications engineering, and energy management fields to develop prototypes and solutions for complex applied research programs. SMART helps stimulate BCʼs economy through collaborative projects with other academic institutions, industry and the government.
ABOUT FORESIGHT BC Cleantech Awards
The 2022 BC Cleantech Awards are presented by Foresight in partnership with Osler, with support from Fasken, Fort Capital, Innovate BC, Procurement Assistance Canada, Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security, BDC, Evok Innovations, KPMG, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Economic Commission, CHFCA, Sensodrive, and Vancity.