Draft:Mohamed Lachemi

Mohamed Lachemi is an Algerian-Canadian engineer and academic administrator. He has been serving as the 9th and current president and vice-chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University since 2016, having been reappointed to a second term in 2019, concluding in 2026. A professor of civil engineering since 1998, he previously served as provost and vice-president academic of Toronto Metropolitan University, and dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science.

Research
A graduate of l'Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d'Oran in Algeria and L'Université de Sherbrooke (MASc and PhD), Dr. Mohamed Lachemi is a researcher and expert in the development of high-performance materials and advanced technologies. He is recognized for work in the behaviour of concrete structures, and in reducing the impact of building construction on the environment, through the development of sophisticated materials and innovative technologies. Lachemi held a Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Construction from 2002 to 10.

Toronto Metropolitan University
As President of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Dr. Mohamed Lachemi has led the development and creation of schools in law and medicine, with a focus on embracing technology, equity and inclusion, and a mandate to reach the underserved. Lachemi has also overseen the launch of the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, a national centre for cybersecurity, and under his direction TMU was awarded leadership of the Future Skills Centre consortium, an organization dedicated to helping Canadians develop the skills they need to be successful in a changing labour market.

Lachemi’s work in equity, diversity and inclusion at TMU include efforts toward reconciliation with the Indigenous community, and combating anti-Black, anti-Asian and all forms of racism. His creation of the Standing Strong Task Force to address the legacy of the university’s namesake, Egerton Ryerson, resulted in the decision to rename the university, along with 21 other action-oriented recommendations including more support for Indigenous and Black scholarship and a commitment to establish learning programs for students, faculty and staff on Indigenous history and the Indian Residential School System.

Other Professional Activities
Dr. Lachemi is a member of the 2023-24 Council of Ontario Universities, where he was the President from 2021-2022 and Past President from 2022-2023. He is also the Chair of the Finance Committee of Universities Canada, a 2010 Fellow of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, and a 2011 Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for Trillium Health Partners, Rogers Communications Inc., and DMZ Ventures. He was a member of the National Research Council from 2018 to 2021.

Awards and Honours
Dr. Lachemi was named one of Toronto's Top 50 Most Influential People by Toronto Life Magazine in 2021 and 2022, one of Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants by Canadian Immigrant Magazine in 2022, was recognized as one of LinkedIn Top Voices, Education in 2019, and was awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by Ontario Tech University in 2021. In November 2023, Dr. Lachemi was appointed to the Order of Ontario for 2022, the province's highest civilian honour recognizing their extraordinary contributions.