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Associate Professor Matthew Mackay of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering is the 2020 recipient of the Wighton Fellowship. 

Awarded by to just one recipient each year, the fellowship recognizes excellence in the development and teaching of laboratory-based courses in undergraduate engineering programs.

The associate chair of undergraduate studies for the department of mechanical and industrial engineering, Mackay led a multi-year initiative to redesign the mechatronics stream, improving lab development and integration, creating new courses and revamping outdated ones to provide students with hands-on designing and building experience. Once the least-popular stream in the program, mechatronics is now the most popular – taken by more than 90 per cent of mechanical engineering students.

Mackay also spearheaded the creation of M-Space, a makerspace for students engaged in traditional mechanical and mechatronics design. He designed lab series and design projects leveraging the M-Space that were integrated into multiple mechanical engineering courses; each of these course elements gives students a start-to-finish design/build experience.

“This is terrific recognition of [Mackay’s] tremendous contributions as a pedagogical leader in Engineering, as exemplified by his revitalization of our mechatronics program and his creation of new and innovative laboratory experiences,” said U of T Engineering Dean Chris Yip. 

“I am so proud of his efforts and, indeed all our faculty, who are working to create awesome learning experiences and opportunities for our students.”