'We need role models like Gina Cody'

Alan Shepard
Concordia's president

“Across Canada, only around 20 per cent of students in computer science and engineering programs are women and we would like to see that number grow significantly. To do that, we need role models like Gina Cody.

“She is an exemplar of success and her gift will allow us to create new opportunities for women to come and study at Concordia. She is giving for the next generation, for students who aren’t here yet. These students will benefit enormously and Concordia and society will also benefit.”

Amir Asif
Dean of the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science

"This gift is very timely. Our faculty has made big strides recently and this donation will allow us to rise to the next level. It will provide the resources to train the next generation of engineers and computer science leaders who will develop new technologies for the benefit of society.

"This gift would enable that in five meaningful ways: research intensification; scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students; research chairs; equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives; and the acquisition of research infrastructure."

Lata Narayanan
Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering

“Concordia is proud of Gina Cody and she has always maintained her connection to her alma mater. As the first woman to earn a PhD in building engineering here, she is a pioneer who will inspire young women in science and engineering, at Concordia and elsewhere. Her historic gift gives a big boost to our resources as well as to our motivation to make it to the next level in both research and teaching.”

Ashutosh Bagchi
Chair of the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering

"This gift is very important for the next generation of building, civil and environmental engineers as it will have tremendous impact on their experiential learning, classroom experience and community outreach.

"It will make a big difference for scholarships and lab development and give students an enriched learning experience."

Govind Gopakumar
Chair of the Centre For Engineering in Society

"The long-standing concern with diversity and inclusion in engineering practice and technological development is an important domain of focus for the Centre for Engineering in Society.

"Celebrating successes and creating role models are important efforts to address this challenge. This gift is a signal that Concordia takes this concern seriously and is willing to announce to the world that it is actively engaged in responding to this challenge."

Abdessamad Ben Hamza
Director of the Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering

"Gina Cody’s historic gift will establish the first endowed research chair of internet of things [IoT] at Concordia.

"IoT is an emerging technology of the digital revolution that will shape the classrooms of tomorrow and create smart schools, where teachers, students and devices become more connected. Thanks to the generosity of Gina Cody, our students are well positioned for the future and better equipped to become excellent practitioners and stewards of next-generation technologies."

Xenia Vruvides, BEng 76, MEng 82
Friend and former classmate of Gina Cody

“Gina is an amazing friend. She’s a brilliant person who encouraged me and everyone around her. Engineering is not an easy field — it wasn’t then and it isn’t now — and Gina inspired us to continue.”

Martin Pugh
Chair of the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering

"This gift will be a game changer for the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering.

"We have been wanting to expand our activities, in the area of mechatronics, robotics — electrically and computer-driven machines — self-driving cars and micro-machines. This donation will create a high-level research chair in these areas, which adds the leadership and impetus we need to make us a major centre for these activities."

William Lynch
Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

“Gina Cody’s gift, with its emphasis on excellence and inclusion, will have a profound impact on our faculty far into the future.”

Alex De Visscher
Chair of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering

"The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering was founded in 2017 and is in the process of developing labs, programs, a student population and a reputation.

"As a new department, we are dependent on significant resources in all these areas. Gina Cody’s donation will enable us to kick-start many of our activities and to position ourselves as a leading next-generation program in Canada and worldwide."

Christine Anahita Bigtashi
Gina Cody’s niece and an engineering graduate student at Concordia

"I’m so proud of my aunt Gina, who is one of my primary parental figures since my dad, Mahmoud Bigtashi, passed away.

"I’m really inspired by her. She laid the groundwork for women to become a larger population within Concordia’s engineering and computer science faculty."
 

Find out more about Gina Cody's $15-million gift for the next generation of Concordians.