2000 New Pioneers Awards SfCarchive
Channel: SkillsforchangeArchive SfC
Date: 2009-12-30

Dr. Samih Mikhail (Science & Technology)

Dr. Samih (Sam) Mikhails contributions in the development of science and technology education have had a significant impact in the more than 20 countries that have benefited from his work and consultation on a wide range of projects.

Originally from Egypt, Dr. Mikhail arrived in Canada in 1965 with his wife and his four-month-old daughter. With little money, his first priority was to find employment and establish his family. After working as a transmission engineer for over a year, he decided to return to school. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1968 with an M.Sc. in electrical engineering. In 1995 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Education from the Graduate Department of Education of the University of Toronto.

Since then, he has enjoyed a diverse career as an engineering professor, academic administrator, university director and international science and technology consultant. As a director of Ryerson International Development Centre, Dr. Mikhail has been involved in the design, development and management of projects of international cooperation in science and technology education in 12 countries. Since 1988 he worked as a consultant to the Government of Canada, the Swedish Government and the World Bank.

His efforts in upgrading engineering education in Egypt have been formally recognized by the World Bank and by the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). They presented him with the MOHE Merit Award in 1995. The Brazil National Training System SENAI has awarded Dr. Mikhail with the SENAI-DN Special Merit Award for his 10 years of contributions to the development of technological education in Brazil.