Dr. Gilles Patry, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, is one of the winners of the 2014 University Of Ottawa Alumni Association Awards of Excellence for his remarkable professional and academic path. In commemoration of the Alumni Week, Destination 2014, the Faculty of Engineering is proud to put the spotlight on the achievements of this distinguished alumnus.
Former Vice-Chancellor, professor, and Dean, Dr. Gilles Patry has come a long way since 1973, the year he earned his MASc in engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Ottawa. This eminent alumnus has distinguished himself in more ways than one. To begin with, Dr. Patry completed his university education with a PhD in civil engineering from the University of California, Davis.
Moreover, Dr Gilles Patry achieved an impressive career path. He became the second Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in 1993, which he had successfully led through the difficult times of an economic recession in the early 1990’s. As Vice-Rector Academic of the University of Ottawa in 1997, Dr. Patry created the School of Information Technology and Engineering (SITE), the actual School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS).
Dr. Patry had also occupied other important positions throughout his professional journey. He was President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa from 2001 to 2008 as well as professor at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal (1978) and at McMaster University (1983-1993).
Today, through his work as President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Dr. Patry contributes to the development of research and technology, supporting the work of research institutions by providing facilities and equipment that enable these institutions to train prominent researchers for the benefits of all Canadians.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Patry is the creator of Hydromantis Inc., which is a global leader in the modelling and simulation of water and wastewater treatment facilities.
In recognition of his merits, several universities conferred honorary degrees to Dr. Patry including the University of Waterloo (Honorary Doctorate in Engineering) and McMaster University (Honorary Degree, D.Sc. (Hon.)). In addition, he has been granted the title of « Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Pléiade » from the « Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie ». Congratulations Dr. Patry on your continuing accomplishments!
