Mohamed Lachemi biography

Chair of Universities Canada’s Finance Committee

Dr. Mohamed Lachemi is president and vice-chancellor of Ryerson University. An internationally recognized researcher and accomplished academic administrator, he has been a key contributor to the growth of Ryerson over a transformational time in the university’s history.

A Ryerson professor of civil engineering since 1998, he has served in progressively senior roles, including dean of the faculty of engineering and architectural science, and provost and vice-president academic.

As president, he has contributed to the success of the DMZ – named the #1 university-based incubator in the world – and promoted the establishment of Ryerson as a global university with the opening of learning zones in Vietnam and India. He has overseen the development of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst – a national centre for cybersecurity, and navigated approvals for a new and innovative law school launching in 2020. Under his direction, Ryerson was awarded leadership of the Future Skills Centre consortium, with a mandate to ensure Canadians develop the skills they need in the new economy.

Dr. Lachemi is well known for his pioneering research in sustainable materials and innovative technologies that mitigate the effects of built structures on the environment, and was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Construction. He is a member of the National Research Council of Canada, Fellow of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and a board member of Trillium Health Partners.