May 18, 2022 – North Vancouver, B.C. – The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is pleased to announce that Dr. Mathew Smith, PhD, PPhys, PEng has been appointed Director of the Centre for Welding Technologies and Metallurgy Research in the School of Construction and the Environment (SOCE). Mathew will join BCIT on May 24, 2022.
First announced in November 2021, the BCIT Centre of Welding Technologies and Metallurgy Research Director is a collaboration between Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) and BCIT to enhance BC-based industrial research capabilities in advanced welding and metallurgy—two of the most foundational and critical areas of marine manufacturing—with the opportunity to expand and provide knowledge outside the immediate marine sector. Over the span of five years, Seaspan has agreed to invest $1.65M to fund the new Research Director and centre of expertise managed by industry professionals and associated research equipment and materials. This investment with BCIT is part of Seaspan’s Value Proposition commitment under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
“The Seaspan-funded research director in Welding Technology and Metallurgy at BCIT is a fabulous collaboration between industry and post-secondary that will advance the state of practice in welding technology for the broader good of the marine sector as well as help to develop a marine-centric highly skilled workforce,” says Wayne Hand, Dean, BCIT School of Construction and the Environment.
Mathew brings over 15 years of practical experience to this newly created role in the field of welding engineering, welding inspection, and non-destructive testing. He is certified with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) and has extensive experience in implementing welding programs including the qualification of welders and welding procedures to Canadian, American, and international standards. Mathew has worked across a wide variety of industrial sectors including aerospace, marine, defence, oils & gas, construction, power generation, and material handling.
“We are looking forward to working closely with Dr. Smith in his role as Director of the Centre of Welding Technologies and Metallurgy Research,” says Jim Favreau, Senior Vice President of Operations, Seaspan Shipyards. “Funding this important research position is another demonstration of the tremendous partnership we have with BCIT—one that will focus on growing the expertise, capability, and skilled talent we will need well into the future.”
As a registered Professional Engineer with Engineer and Geoscientists BC, Mathew holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of York (UK) and both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Nuclear Physics from the University of British Columbia. Matthew joins BCIT from Applus Canada/SKC Engineering—one of Canada’s leading providers of welding and manufacturing consultation services.
In his new appointment as Director of the Centre for Welding Technologies and Metallurgy Research, Mathew aims to develop several educational programs to promote understanding of the science behind welding and metallurgy with a sharp focus on practical applications. His first objective is to develop new programming which will provide students with the hands-on education needed to begin a career in welding quality control.
About the British Columbia Institute of Technology
For more than 55 years, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has been delivering flexible, relevant, and future-proof education that prepares learners to provide applied solutions to industry challenges – across BC and around the world. With five campuses and nearly 50,000 students enrolled each year, BCIT is one of BC’s largest post-secondary institutes. Through its unique applied education model, BCIT is empowering people, shaping BC, and inspiring global progress. Learn more at www.bcit.ca
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About Seaspan Shipyards
Seaspan Shipyards, a division of Seaspan ULC, is a leader in Canada’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,700 in North Vancouver and Victoria, the company has proven itself to be a trusted and strategic partner on a range of complex projects for both government and the private sector. Seaspan Shipyards is proud to deliver Canada’s non-combat program of work under the NSS. The company is building state-of-the-art ships in Canada for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. Through its NSS-related work, Seaspan Shipyards is creating thousands of jobs, generating significant economic benefits, and rebuilding Canada’s shipbuilding and marine industries. Learn more about Seaspan Shipyards at www.seaspan.com.
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