The Provost's Biography

Ryerson has a strong record of solving problems through collaboration. Dr. Lachemi intends to foster that strength by encouraging interdisciplinary projects; by creating better strategic partnerships and enhancing entrepreneurial culture; by supporting faculty as they lead exciting research initiatives. 

Dr. Lachemi has outstanding credentials as provost. Over the years he has led transformative change at Ryerson: as dean, associate dean, assistant chair, and founding graduate program director, he built up the university’s reputation for discovery and real-world solutions, and for innovation in teaching. Under his leadership, many programs were created to help launch the new Faculty of Science. He instituted the Quality Assurance Office to ensure high standards; he created the Enrichment and Outreach Office to enhance the delivery of engineering and science outreach activities on campus and beyond; he founded the Research and Innovation Office to develop and deliver scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities; and he played a key role in establishing the Centre for Urban Energy.

These developments all support his vision of Ryerson: a centre of research, collaboration, and learning that relates dynamically to our emerging world. Education here is key. Students need many opportunities to create new knowledge. They also need the assurance of a highly relevant curriculum. One of Dr. Lachemi’s first priorities is to help graduates hit the ground running. Fundamental to that goal is the creation of programs that are current and experiential. In his own faculty, Dr. Lachemi has secured top accreditation—a status that benefits all Ryerson stakeholders.

A leader in the field of civil engineering, Dr. Lachemi sees the impact of high standards. He is well known for his pioneering work and significant research contributions toward reducing global environmental impacts of the construction industry through the development of high-performance materials and innovative technologies. His achievements include an international project that led to the construction of the world’s first reactive powder concrete structure. His research agenda has been strongly supported by funding agencies and industrial partners. He has spoken at conferences and workshops around the world. He was named Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Construction; and in 2011, he was inducted as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, one of the highest academic honours for Canadian engineers.

Dr. Lachemi received his undergraduate degree in engineering with distinction from the University of Science and Technology of Oran, Algeria. He earned his MASc and PhD in Structural Engineering from Sherbrooke University in Quebec in 1993. After a postdoctoral fellowship with the Network of Centres of Excellence: Concrete Canada, he joined the Department of Civil Engineering at Ryerson in 1998.