After three impactful decades at BCIT, Dr. Kim Dotto, Dean Applied Research and Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI), will retire on January 31, 2025. His remarkable tenure has left a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and leadership that has elevated BCIT’s reputation as a trailblazer in applied research and education.
A career marked by growth
Kim’s career at BCIT began as a faculty member in the Computer Systems Technology (CST) program. Over the years, he advanced through several leadership roles, including Option Head of the Embedded Systems Option CST, Program Head CST, Associate Dean Computing and Forensics, Dean School of Computing and Academic Studies and Dean School of Transportation. His commitment to education extended to program development, including the creation of a new CST option in Embedded Systems and the BTech in Games Development. These programs have equipped students with cutting-edge skills for emerging industries, further solidifying BCIT’s position as a leading polytechnic institution.
A lasting impact on applied research and innovation at BCIT and beyond
In the last 14 years as Dean Applied Research and the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation, Kim’s leadership and vision transformed the research landscape at BCIT. He spearheaded the establishment of several cutting-edge research labs, such as the Advanced Additive Manufacturing Technology Hub (AAMTECH), the Food Research for Evaluation Safety and Health (FRESH) Lab, and the Phytoanalytics Lab. He established BCIT’s Institute Research Funds (IRF) program that funds and supports faculty applied research across BCIT and he supported and encouraged student innovation, applied research and entrepreneurship through BCIT’s annual Student Innovation Challenge. These initiatives have strengthened BCIT’s connection to industry, contributed to BC’s economy, educated students and driven advancements in diverse fields, from additive manufacturing to food technology and nuclear physics.
Recognition and leadership
Kim’s work has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the BCIT Employee Excellence Award for Leadership (2022) and the BCIT Student Association President’s Award (2010).
Under his leadership, BCIT applied research received many awards. Among them: The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Award of Excellence for Applied Research and Innovation, earning Gold in 2016 and Silver in 2022. BCIT Applied Research received Gold in the Applied Research and Innovation Excellence category of the 2021 Awards of Excellence presented by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). Finally, Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre awarded BCIT Applied Research and the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team the 2020 Cleantech Educational Institution Award.
Kim is an exceptional leader who fosters an environment of innovation and curiosity underpinned by support and encouragement. Most recently, under Kim’s leadership, a dedicated team of applied researchers, alumni, and students from BCIT MAKE+ developed the award-winning “BEAST” wheelchair. This cutting-edge innovation, capable of climbing stairs, opening doors, and retrieving objects from the ground, earned a gold medal on the world stage at the 2024 CYBATHLON competition.
“Kim has created an environment where creative people thrive. Instead of dismissing bold, unusual or ambitious ideas, Kim encourages and supports them by exploring possibilities and finding creative solutions and workarounds to barriers. Through his unwavering support and granting us the freedom to take risks and learn from mistakes, Kim has enabled the conditions where risk can pay off with great results, as they did for us at the 2024 CYBATHLON,” shared Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, Director MAKE+ Applied Research Group.
Legacy
In his tenure as Dean of Applied Research and Centre for Applied Research and Innovation, Kim focused on the transformative power of applied research in solving real-world challenges and educating and preparing students. Under his leadership, BCIT’s dedicated applied research groups MAKE+, Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART), and the Natural Health and Food Products Research Group (NRG) and the Centre for Internet of Things, have provided innovative solutions to industry challenges, while fostering experiential learning opportunities for students. Kim’s vision for applied research has kept BCIT at the forefront of emerging trends. From digital transformation and additive manufacturing to the Internet of Things and sustainability, Kim’s contributions will continue to lay the foundation for future generations of researchers, faculty, and students at BCIT and beyond.
You’re invited to celebrate Kim Dotto
We are inviting the BCIT community to join us for a special retirement celebration and open house for Kim on January 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the atrium at the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (4355 Mathissi Place).
Agenda (timing is approximate)
2:00 pm – Guests begin to arrive
2:25 pm – Introduction and welcome
2:30 pm – Jennifer Figner, V.P. Academic
2:40 pm – Dean Hildebrand, Dean School of Computing and Academic Studies
2:50 pm – Paula Brown Canada Research Chair and Director, Natural Health and Food Products Research Group
3:00 pm – Jonathan Bassan, Interim Dean Applied Research and Centre for Applied Research and Innovation
3:05 pm – Gift presentation
3:10 pm – 4:30 pm – mingling
Cupcakes and beverages will be served. We expect a full house and standing room only!