Industry Breakfast Launches Lassonde’s New Mechatronics Engineering Program

On October 29, 2025, York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering officially launched its new Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics with an industry breakfast and showcase event at the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. 

The morning brought together industry leaders, faculty, researchers, and students to explore how this next-generation program will help close Canada’s engineering talent gap and prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving fields of robotics, automation, aerospace, AI, and smart manufacturing.

Dean Jane Goodyer opened the event by welcoming guests and emphasizing the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. 

“We’re here because your industries are changing fast—robotics, automation, aerospace, smart manufacturing, all converging with AI,” said Goodyer. “The challenge I hear from you again and again is the same: we need engineers who can work across disciplines, understand systems end-to-end, and deliver from day one.” 

She explained that Lassonde’s new Mechatronics Engineering program builds directly on lessons from its Digital Technologies (DT) BASc program, Canada’s first fully work-integrated, year-round degree model.

“It’s proof that when learning and work come together, everyone wins,” she said. “Our new Mechatronics Engineering program builds on that same idea—it’s designed for the future of work. Students graduate ready to contribute from day one, with real-world experience, teamwork, and leadership skills.” 

Goodyer also invited partners to get involved by hosting co-op students, proposing design challenges, or joining Lassonde’s Industry Advisory Board. 

“This program isn’t just about preparing students for jobs,” she added. “It’s about co-creating the future of work—with you.” 

Professor Michael Jenkin elaborates on the Mechatronics Engineering program to guests. 

Next, Professor Michael Jenkin, Robotics Expert and Program Director for Mechatronics Engineering, walked attendees through how the new curriculum was built from the ground up to integrate technical, professional, and leadership skills. 

“It’s not every day that a school of engineering has the opportunity to develop and deploy a new program,” said Jenkin. “Mechatronics at York has been a dream here since before Lassonde’s foundation, and it’s been realized thanks to the imagination and dedication of many.” 

Jenkin outlined how the program takes students from foundational engineering principles to real-world problem-solving: 

• First year builds a foundation in math, physics, computing, and teamwork. 

• Second year integrates mechanics, materials, circuits, and programming into complete systems, including a first work term. 

• Third year focuses on robotics and control systems, adding leadership and mentorship roles. 

• Fourth year culminates in a full-year capstone project addressing large-scale, industry-driven challenges. 

“When our students arrive at their required work experiences, they’re not only equipped with technical expertise but also with the teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities that make them valuable contributors from day one,” he said. 

Jenkin also introduced TRON 2000, the program’s first mechatronics-specific course, where students design and build robotic grippers—an early example of Lassonde’s “learn-by-doing” philosophy. 

A series of lightning talks followed, highlighting faculty-led, industry-partnered projects that demonstrate the real-world reach of mechatronics at Lassonde: 

• Dr. Marina Freire-Gormaly, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, shared projects on clean energy, water treatment, and nanomaterials, integrating sensing, control, and design with partners like Ontario Power Generation and the World Bank. 

• Dr. James Elder, York Research Chair in Human & Computer Vision, discussed advances in machine vision and AI through the Connected Minds initiative—a $300M research network uniting neuroscience, robotics, and human-machine collaboration—with partners such as Solaris Robots and CrossWing. 

• PhD student Nizwa Javed presented SnapBot, an intelligent social robot for public spaces, designed to interact naturally using computer vision and path-planning algorithms. 

The event concluded with an open discussion about industry collaboration—how organizations can host co-op students, propose design challenges, or partner on applied research. 

Mechatronics Engineering students with lab equipment in the Mobile Mechatronics Lab. 

Guests then toured Lassonde’s Mobile Mechatronics Lab, a state-of-the-art learning space bringing robotics and automation directly to classrooms, community partners, and workplaces. Attendees met current students and experienced hands-on demonstrations of how learning and industry integration come together in practice. 

Attendees included representatives from AMD, Argo Transit Corporation, Celestica, the City of Mississauga, the City of Vaughan, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems, Festo Didactic Ltd, FGF Brands Inc., Martinrea International, MDA Space, Mecsmart Systems Inc., Metrolinx, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Quanser Consulting Inc., Siemens Canada Ltd., the TTC, and the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce. 

Organizations interested in collaborating or recruiting Mechatronics students can connect with Marily Molina, Business Development Manager at marily.molina@lassonde.yorku.ca.  

Learn more about the program.