On February 27, 2025, the Graduate Engineering Council of Students (GECoS) proudly co-hosted our inaugural AI-Alumni Networking Night in partnership with the Centre for Analytics & AI Engineering (CARTE) and the University of Toronto Engineering Partnership Team. Held at the newly opened 800 Bay Common Share Space, this event marked a major milestone for GECoS as we ventured beyond student-led collaborations to connect our community with alumni in the AI space.
The evening opened with a warm welcome from Dean Chris Yip, whose encouraging remarks set an inspiring tone for the night. We then had the pleasure of introducing our incredible alumni guests:
Raymond Chik, Neal Kaw, April Khademi, PhD, PEng, Ruchita Bhadre, Ray Jayatunga, Ali Khodadadi, and Nima Eshraghi. Each alumnus took a moment to introduce themselves and share a glimpse into their professional journey, setting the stage for deeper conversations to follow.
We were honored to welcome around 80 participants to this special evening. The heart of the event featured roundtable discussions, giving students the chance to engage directly with alumni in small, interactive groups. These conversations created space for open questions about career development, industry insights, and day-to-day experiences in AI-related fields. Students came away with not only valuable advice but also a deeper appreciation for the many paths an engineering degree can lead to.
Members of CARTE also shared opening remarks, reinforcing the importance of continued engagement between students and alumni as we navigate an ever-evolving technological landscape.
A special thank-you to Somayeh Sadat from CARTE for her tireless support and coordination, which were key to the success of this event.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for this memorable night of learning and connection. GECoS is excited to continue building bridges between students and alumni, and this is only the beginning.
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