Ontario Tech University Introduces Pioneering Railway Engineering Program in Canada

According to a recent declaration from Ontario Tech University (OTU) in Oshawa, this institution is set to make history as the first english-speaking university in Canada to introduce a railway engineering program, with classes starting this September.

The new railway Engineering Specialisation will be part of OTU’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. initially, it will cater to third-year students enrolled in programs like Manufacturing, Automotive, Mechatronics, and Mechanical Engineering. The curriculum will include four key courses:

• An Overview of Railway Systems;
• Safety Protocols & Signaling in Railways;
• The Mechanics of Rolling Stock;
• Maintenance and Operations within the Railway Sector.

Diving deeper into this initiative during the TRACCS trade show held in Toronto last May, jennifer Alsop, OTU’s Director of External relationships & Partnerships, highlighted a growing need for specialized rail engineering education within Canada’s rail supply chain. To ensure that the program meets industry standards and needs, OTU has teamed up with companies like Alstom and AtkinsRéalis for curriculum advancement.

Additionally,OTU plans to establish a Railway Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee that will convene up to three times each year. This committee aims to steer course development while also seeking more industrial partners for student internships and collaborative research opportunities.