About
The McMaster Engineering Faculty Development Academy was established in 2014 to support the Faculty’s mission and strategic plan, Invest for Excellence, and to construct new and effective learning experiences for both its faculty and students.
The Faculty is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and experiential learning. Our goal is to empower our faculty members to build on their strengths as instructors and classroom facilitators in order to stay current with the evolving technological advances in teaching.

Andrea Colbert-DeGeit
Manager, Faculty Relations – JHE 261/DOverview
In an age where student learning is evolving and changing, it is imperative that we strive to stay current with technological advances in teaching. Initiatives established through the Faculty Development Academy will not only provide an enriched teaching and learning experience for our faculty, but also offer support in research, leadership and academic administrative processes.
Furthermore, the Faculty Development Academy recognizes that staff development is a critical component for on-going personal and professional development. Programs and initiatives can assist staff members develop skills and competencies to grow in their positions as well as professionally in order to prepare them for advancement.
The Faculty Development Academy has also identified key areas in which its graduate students can partake in professional skills development. On-line initiatives provide support in areas such as presentation skills, launching one’s career, and work/life balance, to name a few.
FDA – Current Offerings
Expandable List
One of the opportunities offered within the Faculty of Engineering from September to May each academic year is the Coffee with a Colleague initiative. Full-time faculty members who are interested in participating in this social initiative, developed to encourage inter-departmental collaborations and informal mentorship relationships, by setting aside a few minutes a month to chat with a colleague, should email colbert@mcmaster.ca to be included on the monthly email list. Please note that you will be randomly matched with a colleague from within the Faculty of Engineering. You and your assigned colleague are responsible for finding a convenient time within the month to meet.
12 hours course in total; certificate program
Offered by staff at the University
Learn and practice powerful, life-saving skills in just four hours.
Certificate program offered by staff at the University, available on campus.
FDA – Faculty Orientation
Welcome to the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University. We are pleased you have joined our community and look forward to working with you.
The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University recognizes the importance to integrate new faculty to its community. It is equally important to ensure that new faculty are equipped with the necessary resources to help them navigate successfully through their first year and subsequent years so that they can build a strong foundation for a rewarding career.
Orientation provided by individual Departments and Schools will be complemented by one-on-one orientation sessions offered by the Office of the Dean upon the commencement of a new faculty members appointment. The Dean’s office will contact you directly to arrange an appointment for an orientation session.
New Faculty Tools
Communication and Branding
Mentoring Workshop to New Faculty
Supervision & Mentoring of Postgrad Students
Graduate Attributes 101
Research Funding Opportunities
McMaster CV Template
How to Teach a Good First Day
How to Create a Syllabus
How to Make Your Teaching More Engaging
How to be a Better Online Teacher
FDA – Instructional Skills Workshop
The Instructional Skills Workshop is offered within a small group setting and is designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators. Participants review basic ideas about teaching, check current practices, and within the safe environment of the workshop, try new strategies and techniques. During the 3-day workshop (24 hours total), participants design and conduct three “mini-lessons” and receive verbal, written and video feedback from the other participants who have been learners in the mini-lessons. Participants receive a certificate upon completion which is widely recognized at many Canadian and international post-secondary institutions.


The following Engineering faculty have attended the workshop and have given their permission to have their names listed as successful participants.
- Dr. Charles de Lannoy, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering
- Dr. Jacob Nease, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering
- Dr. Moataz Mohamed, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
- Dr. Eu-Gene Ng, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Dr. Rashid Abu-Ghazalah, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
- Dr. Konstantinos Apostolou, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
- Dr. Mostafa Soliman, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
- Dr. Seshasai Srinivasan, Assistant Professor, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
- Prof. Silvie Tanu Halim, Lecturer, Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology
FDA – Resources
Expandable List
Continuous Improvement through Self-Assessment
Faculty Career Progress/Merit (CP/M) Plan
Faculty Members – Supplementary Policy Statements
Faculty Recruitment and Searches Handbook
Guidance Document – IP and Student Mentoring
Faculty of Engineering Policy on Assessing Teaching (Peer Observations)
Research Leave Policy – Tenured and CAWAR Faculty
Research Leave Policy – Permanent Faculty
Tenure & Promotion Workshop for Untenured Faculty Members – presentation slides
University Secretariat Lunch & Learn presentation – March 30, 2015
- Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act
- Research Integrity Policy
- Tenure & Promotion Appearls
- Student Appeals
FDA – Professional Licensing
Professional Engineering License
The Faculty of Engineering values its connection with the Engineering profession. Moreover, maintenance of program accreditation requires that most of our faculty members be licensed by the profession. It is therefore expected that if you are not currently licensed as a professional engineer by the Professional Engineers of Ontario that you will become licensed prior to the end of your initial contract period.

FDA – Staff Development
The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University recognizes that the staff it employs are central to all of its academic and research endeavours. Assisting the development of each individual will ultimately enhance the Faculty of Engineering’s performance and status as a quality employer within McMaster.
All University staff have a right and responsibility to continuously improve the capabilities required for their current roles, and to consider development required for possible future roles at higher levels or in other organizational units. While staff members should proactively develop their capabilities, staff development is a shared responsibility. Managers within the Faculty of Engineering have a key responsibility in supporting staff to identify their skills and development needs through regular feedback and in encouraging them to take up development opportunities.
The Faculty of Engineering encourages staff to develop their capabilities through a broad range of activities.
Visit the following links to help you choose from various professional development opportunities.
- McMaster Centre for Continuing Education
- HR LInC (for TMG)
- DeGroote School of Business – Executive Education
- Mohawk College Continuing Education & Online Learning
- The Banff Centre
- Ivey School of Business – Executive Education
- The Niagara Institute
- Schulich School of Business – Executive Education
- Queen’s School of Business – Executive Education