Meet Allan Silk, President
Elected President effective January 1, 2024, Allan began his career as a technician in Edmonton and The Pas for CNCP Telecommunications, now known as Allstream. He worked for a brief time at the now-defunct Applied Applications of Microelectronics Centre before making a move to Manitoba Hydro. There he worked his way from Process Control System Software Specialist to his current position as Integrated Network Performance Engineer, leading a group that provides all the high voltage alternating current operating procedures and creates computer models of the Eastern Interconnection Power Grid (from the area east of the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean and south to the Mexican border, except Texas).
Allan has served twice as President of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, first in 2005 and recently in 2021. In addition to being a member of the Council, he has served on the Executive/Finance Committee, the Admissions Board, the Experience Review Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Past President’s Committee, and the CTTAM-APEGM Joint Board. He has also served on the University of Manitoba Computer Engineering Curriculum Committee and Manitoba Hydro’s Professional Development Committee, and volunteered at St. Georges Anglican Church. His professional affiliations include membership in the Midwest Independent Systems Operators, Mid-Continent Area Power Pool, and Manitoba Hydro Professional Engineers Association.
Relevant education includes a Diploma in Computer Technology from Red River College, Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Computer), and U of M courses in electrical engineering.
In his recent capacity as President of the Council of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, Allan was most helpful when the Foundation changed its name from APEGM Foundation Inc. to Engineering and Geoscience Education Foundation Inc. EGEF is also grateful that Allan brings his familiarity with fundraising, as a particular interest.
EGEF sponsors Oaks 9 hole at the Making Links Engineering Classic
For the second year in a row, EGEF sponsored the Oaks 9 hole at the Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba annual Making Links Engineering Classic. Proceeds of this event support the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba.
June 20 was a perfect day for “sitting by the hole” at Quarry Oaks golf course. W. Boyce, Secretary-Treasurer, and N. Ganske, Past President enjoyed meeting young engineers who are doing great work and seasoned people who are still fully engaged in their work. It was a great venue for listening to people’s stories and sharing the EGEF story.
Congratulations! Dave Ennis, FEC, FCSSE, P.Eng.
We are happy to announce that Engineers Canada awarded Dave Ennis, Director, Engineering and Geoscience Education Foundation, the Meritorious Service Award for Professional Service, 2024. Engineers Canada presented the award at its annual general meeting on Thursday, May 23 in Winnipeg.
Hundreds of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba members know Dave as Executive Director and Registrar of the Association for 15 years, retiring in 2005.
For a full description of Dave’s career and volunteer contributions to the profession of engineering, please visit the Engineers Canada page dedicated to Dave’s award.
Annual general meeting
Please join us in the Board Room of the Reh-Fit Centre, 1390 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 for the Engineering and Geoscience Education Foundation’s annual general meeting.
The Foundation will be presenting its 2023 financial statements, annual report, revised policies, and other items for ratification.
Any person who made a donation to EGEF in 2022 or 2023, or who makes a donation of $10 or more to EGEF’s new fund-raising campaign (or any of its other projects) at any time before the AGM gets underway, is automatically considered a member of EGEF and will be entitled to vote.
Feel free to bring a bag meal. Cookies and coffee will be available, free of charge.
Please RSVP at Contact.
Congratulations! William Boyce, FEC(Hon)
We are proud and thrilled to announce that William Boyce, Secretary-Treasurer to the Engineering and Geoscience Education Foundation, has been recognized for his many years of devoted service in support of engineers and geoscientists.
On Thursday, October 19, 2023, friends, family and colleagues gathered at the RBC Convention Centre to honour those who have received an Engineers Canada Fellowship [FEC or FEC(Hon) designation], at Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba’s (EngGeoMB) annual Recognition Lunch.
Among those receiving their certificates was our own William Boyce, an accountant who formerly served as EngGeoMB’s Manager of Operations and Finance. William has been Secretary-Treasurer of the EGEF since its inception.
New endowment fund
EGEF’s campaign to raise $250,000 has begun! Removing barriers for tomorrow’s engineers and geoscientists aims to create a permanent endowment that will flow funds to Manitoba’s universities, to support students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to join our professions.
If you or a loved one have been the recipient of a bursary or other student benefit, you can appreciate how such support is both practical and encouraging.
With engineering companies, governments, utilities and the minerals industry all looking for the new skills required to address complex and emerging issues, we need to support aspiring students to complete their studies in our professions.
Your donation will help create a new generation of engineers and geoscientists to address future challenges.
Where the gift went
The EGEF’s $50K gift to the Price Faculty of Engineering’s Strategic Initiatives Fund was recognized by the naming of the Doug Ruth Student Lounge in 2022. The Faculty used the gift in combination with other donor gifts toward a refresh of the Donald W. Craik Engineering Library into a more modern student learning space.
Donor wall
Thank you! Price Faculty of Engineering and attendees
Allan Silk, EngGeoMB President and Board Liaison
The Foundation thanks all who attended the unveiling of the plaque (see announcement below) during the Price Faculty of Engineering Homecoming 2022 on Friday, September 23. Attendance by family, friends, colleagues and former students of Dr. Doug Ruth, Dean Emeritus, was especially appreciated.
The Foundation thanks the Price Faculty of Engineering who made this event possible. Special thanks to Dean Marcia Friesen; Laura Asher, Director, Major Gifts; Tanya Regehr, Events & Recruitment Coordinator; Nick Sears, Communications & Alumni Relations Lead; Dawson Switzer, Senior Stick; and staff of the Dean’s office.
You’re invited!
On Friday, September 23 at 2:00 pm, the Price Faculty of Engineering will be hosting Engineering Homecoming 2022 in the Engineering Information and Technology Centre (EITC).
As part of the event, the Engineering and Geoscience Education Foundation Inc. (EGEF) will participate in the unveiling of the plaque in the student lounge, renamed Doug Ruth Student Lounge. The plaque commemorates Dr. Doug Ruth’s dedication to students and engineering (see announcement below).
Please join us in this celebration! Refreshments served. To help UM plan for the event, we ask that you please register for this event. You can register by clicking the “UM Homecoming page” link in the UM Today Story.
Doug Ruth Student Lounge
EGEF donated $50K to Price Faculty of Engineering Strategic Initiatives Fund, with naming rights to Room E2-294, which will be renamed the Doug Ruth Student Lounge for 15 years.
Commemorative Plaque titled “Doug Ruth Student Lounge”
The naming of this room honours Dean Doug Ruth’s contributions to the Price Faculty of Engineering. In the classroom, the lab and the boardroom, Doug supported the interests of students of all backgrounds and pathways. He encouraged their registration as professional engineers (P.Eng.). Doug’s tireless efforts to develop this EITC, which opened in 2005, demonstrated his commitment to students and engineering.
Doug inspired alumni worldwide to help finance the EITC, and approached the professional Association, now called Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, to contribute. To facilitate funding, the Association founded the Engineering and Geoscience Education Foundation Inc., the naming contributor to this space. Its donors are primarily professional engineers and geoscientists.
Meet the Vice-President, Trevor Cornell
Elected Vice-President in the June 2022 AGM of the Engineering and Geoscience Education Foundation (EGEF), Trevor brings to EGEF a solid background in
- mechanical, production and industrial engineering
- research, technology transfer and liaison with universities, colleges and research centres
- administration
Trevor’s career has taken him from being an engineer in several large manufacturing companies in England and an agricultural equipment manufacturer in Winnipeg, to retiring as Chief Operating Officer of the Manitoba’s Industrial Technology Centre. Trevor has significant experience in projects and missions in India and Pakistan, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
A board director of EGEF since its inception, Trevor was also a past member of various boards and committees including Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba Council, the local and national boards for the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), the Association of Provincial Research Organizations (APRO), Innoventures Canada (I-CAN), and Standards Council Canada (SCC).
Trevor has maintained professional membership throughout his career, first as a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng) in England, and then as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Manitoba.
Other association memberships include Fellow, Institute of Management Services, and Senior Member, Institute of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineers.
Trevor was admitted to the Fellowship of Engineers Canada (FEC) in 2009 and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Relevant education includes a B.Sc. (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and a Management Services Diploma (MMS Dip), both in England, and numerous technical, management, quality, marketing and language training courses (intermediate French).
Thanks to The Winnipeg Foundation
EGEF gratefully acknowledges the $700 professional development grant from The Winnipeg Foundation, for board training that took place online on March 2, 2022. The training event, facilitated by Volunteer Manitoba, ensures that all board members have a common understanding of their responsibilities and obligations as a working board of a non-profit charitable organization.
Meet the President, Nirdosh Ganske
Elected President in 2021, Nirdosh has had four careers: civil engineer (hydraulics—agricultural land drainage and flood and erosion control); budget analyst (Treasury Board Secretariat); executive manager/change agent in two of the province’s oldest social services institutions (government/unionized and private non-profit/non-unionized); and college instructor (technical communication and technology management). Additionally, Nirdosh had a brief experience developing and marketing a small home-based business.
In addition to the Foundation, Nirdosh has served on a variety of professional and community committees and boards, including technical communication, workplace health and safety, research ethics, community development (health, social services), art, naturalists, and Toastmasters.
Nirdosh has maintained EngGeoMB registration continuously since post-internship qualification, and was a member of the Foundation for years before joining the board in 2018.
Relevant education includes a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Civil), a Masters in Business Administration (Public Policy), and a Certificate in Adult Education.
The background in this photo is a hibiscus, grown from a cutting given in 1984 by the late Dr. Ed Kuiper, Professor of Civil Engineering, while Nirdosh was studying engineering project economics.