At Toronto Metropolitan University, academic excellence and cutting-edge research intersect with experiential learning and societal impact. We are developing the talent, incubating the ideas and innovations, and generating the economic, social and cultural advances that will help define Canada in the coming decades.
At Toronto Metropolitan University, academic excellence and cutting-edge research intersect with experiential learning and societal impact. We are developing the talent, incubating the ideas and innovations, and generating the economic, social and cultural advances that will help define Canada in the coming decades.
Located in Toronto’s downtown core, TMU offers full-time and part-time undergraduate programs, innovative learning opportunities and a diverse and welcoming campus community. TMU has over 100 different programs, co-operative learning opportunities and unique zone learning incubators.
For more information about TMU, please visit www.ryerson.ca.
Located in Toronto’s downtown core, TMU offers full-time and part-time undergraduate programs, innovative learning opportunities and a diverse and welcoming campus community. TMU has over 100 different programs, co-operative learning opportunities and unique zone learning incubators.
For more information about TMU, please visit www.ryerson.ca.
Shad2022 runs from July 3 to July 29. You should arrive at edit to Toronto Metropolitan University’s Pitman Hall Residence between 1 and 4 pm. Our opening dinner and reception will start at 6 pm. If you are flying into the Toronto airport we will have Shad TMU team members at the airport from 10 am to 2 pm on July 3 to greet you and help get you downtown by taxi van. The cost is ~ $50 per person.
Note that if you are arriving to Toronto Metropolitan University by other means you are responsible for your own travel arrangements and costs to and from Pitman Hall Residence.
Shad students and the program team live in residence at Toronto Metropolitan University. The residence features dorm-style accommodation rooms with shared washroom facilities, in-room telephones, free high-speed internet access, 24-hour front desk and individual climate control rooms. Community Kitchenettes, laundry facilities and lounges with cable TV are located on every floor. The residence operates as a hotel for the summer so there will different student groups from different countries throughout the building. Shad will have two full floors in the residence and the program team will be living on the same floors for the entire month. Note: you cannot leave the campus at any time without prior permission.
Residence housekeeping services will provide you with a towel, wash cloth, sheets, a pillow and blanket. General housekeeping such as new linens will be provided every week. You may wish to bring your own pillows and towels if you prefer.
Most of our meals will be eaten on campus. Keep in mind that it is a university, so the food may not be like your home-cooked meals. There will be a variety of food that accommodates most tastes.
Please ensure you let us know of any dietary requirements or allergies if you have not done so already.
You will be given residence keys for which you will be responsible. More information will be shared by your program director.
We recommend that you bring some pocket money with you for transportation to and from the airport, laundry, and purchasing souvenirs. There are no additional mandatory expenses.
There are bank ATMs available on campus should you need to withdraw additional funds.
You have an option to bring a laptop, tablet, or another personal computing device for research, word processing, and other tasks related to the program. Wi-Fi access is available in residence and elsewhere on campus. Shad team members will assist you with Wi-Fi setup upon arrival. The University and Shad Canada do not take any responsibility for lost/damaged/stolen valuables or property.
There will be pay-per-use washers and dryers available. Laundry detergent is available on campus. If you have any allergies to certain types of detergent, please bring your own.
While there are no irons in the rooms, if needed, an iron can be borrowed for use.
Program Director
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the DMZ has a significant global presence with on-the-ground operations in 10+ countries around the world. Responsible for the creation and execution of all marketing and communications, he oversees the development of advertising campaigns to attract entrepreneurs around the world.
Most recently, Haseeb conceptualized and implemented DMZ’s BIPOC recruitment campaigns that directly led to over 10 million impressions and over 800 program applications across Nigeria, Canada, South Africa and USA. He’s also managed the full cycle development and operations of over 15 of DMZ’s pre-incubator programs to engage over 4,000 entrepreneurs, working with over 30 community organizations and raising over $400,000 in sponsorship.
Program Manager
As a graduate of the Ryerson Childhood Studies program, Bianca uses a holistic approach, which ensures that a student’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional needs are met through experiential learning. Bianca holds a Masters of Teaching from the University of Toronto (OISE), where she researched the relationship between parental involvement and student achievement in Ontario schools. Her experience in education studies has resulted in her holding a certification with the Ontario College of Teachers. In addition to her teaching experience, Bianca is a member of The Leacock Foundation, a non-profit that delivers literacy and math programs to underserved youth, and completed a trip to Tanzania where she helped implement extra-curricular activities in a school in the nation’s capital. Bianca’s dedication to teaching and program planning will help ensure that the Shad students have a great experience. Bianca looks forward to learning alongside the Shad students this summer!
(Highly recommended, but not mandatory)
A diverse and inclusive community is an important value of the Shad program. You will meet students from across Canada, with different lived experiences and backgrounds. Some of you have experience with complex, high responsibility activities such as traveling or being away from home, while for others, this may be your first time being apart from family. Respect for all individuals is a requirement for a successful community.
Community must be preserved and protected in the Shad program. There are no exclusive relationships at Shad, whether for the purposes of romance, clique, gender, ethnicity, or any other reason. Relationships that exclude (or attempt to exclude) others will not be accepted. Intentionally excluding others is a form of bullying and could result in dismissal from the program. The month at Shad provides you the opportunity to make connections with a community of other exceptional students. We hope that this tight-knit community that forms at Shad will continue for many years after the program.
Shad is a supervised community. Every member of the program team is charged with the responsibility of ensuring your safety and protection. We take this responsibility seriously! This means that we will need to know approximately where you are and what you are doing at all times. This level of awareness ensures that in case of an emergency, we can account for your whereabouts quickly.
You are also a partner in ensuring your own safety and the safety of the Shad community. You are expected to ensure that your behaviour is always aligned with the Shad values.
Just because the community is supervised does not mean that you won’t have freedom to engage in a range of activities across the university campus. We take advantage of many of the various programs, departments, recreational facilities and spaces on campus to ensure that you enjoy an exciting university experience.
You can expect life at Shad to be busy, but don’t worry, we have downtime and recreational activities built into the program as well. Each day, you can expect a different combination of lectures, workshops, recreational and cultural activities, as well as unscheduled time that you can use to connect with your peers, work on your design project, and reflect on what you’ve learned and accomplished so far.
The ability to rapidly access relevant information can be key to innovation. There is no question that effective use of technology can be a useful tool. That said, the appropriate use of technology is essential for an effective learning/teaching/cooperative environment. There is etiquette for the use of technology. Rather than provide a long list of rules that will define acceptable use of technology, our technology policy is governed by the same core values as Shad.
All use of technology — including cell phones, notebooks, tablets, translators and the like — must uphold the principles of excellence, responsibility and creativity. While you might be an exceptional multitasker, maintaining devoted attention to a task at hand is a hallmark of responsibility and maturity. When it comes to the use of technology, know what’s right, do what’s right and be respectful!
We have time set aside for recreational activities. These include cultural events, field trips and many opportunities to take in the beautiful scenery of the area.
Shad is most enriching when we have sufficient energy to be fully engaged in all program activities. After a long and busy day, everyone needs adequate rest. We also need to respect others and allow them to re-energize themselves by getting the rest they need. Please manage your energy levels appropriately and allow others to do the same by going to bed at the appropriate time.
Our values are what make Shad the incredible program that it is. At our Shad campus these values are vigorously embraced – just like they are at each of the other campuses across Canada. Being a Shad means accepting these values fully into everything you do! Adherence to these values determines how successful your Shad experience will be. They are sacred trusts.
We aspire to excellence in all we do.
We value diversity and open discussion.
We cherish the freedom to explore, create, and innovate.
We are committed to the respect, cooperation, and shared fun that builds a powerful, supportive community, while remaining mindful of the safety and well-being of that community.
Our behaviour is always governed by respect for others and the highest standards of ethical conduct.
What happens when a diverse group of high school students from across Canada come together in the spirit of science, technology and entrepreneurship? Shad Open Day is a day to put your campus and your accomplishments on display for the community.
On Thursday, July 28th, family, friends and community members are invited to join us for a day of demonstrations and exhibits. You will get the chance to showcase your team’s innovation and your own special talents for the extended community.
We understand that some of you will be traveling far from home to attend Shad and therefore it will be more difficult for your family members to make it for Open Day. Do not worry – there will be many of your fellow Shads in the same position and you will still enjoy the magic of Open Day!
The program ends on the morning of Friday, July 29, and some may need to leave very early to catch a flight or bus. Rooms are required to be vacated by 10:30 am that day.
If you have a bus/train/plane to catch, you will need to make arrangements to get from the campus with plenty of time before your scheduled departure time. If your parents/guardians are picking you up by car, they should plan to do this before 10:30 am.
Please note that the Shad TMU program concludes at 10:30 am on July 29 and Shad will no longer be responsible for you after this time.
Shad TMU is not only interested in getting you to listen, it is also very interested in what you have to say.
During the course of the program, you will be asked to give a 5-minute presentation – which we call a Shad Speak – on a topic of your choice. Select something you are passionate about so that you will be comfortable sharing it with others. You should also consider a topic that you are confident will be of interest to others. Be authentic and be genuine!
Shad Speaks will be strictly timed to 5-minutes and the focus will be on you and your ideas. As such, presentations will be technology-free (i.e. no PowerPoint or access to a projector). Come to Shad with your Shad Speak prepared and using our online form, you will be asked to submit a 50-150 character abstract of your topic.
Q: I have a special accommodation request. How do I submit my request and will you be able to help me?
A: You will need to inform us of the special accommodations that you require ahead of time. We will let you know what we can do to support you as best as possible. We want to help make sure your experience here is exceptional.
Q: Can I have visitors during Shad? Can my parents take me off campus for a non-emergency reason?
A: No. Visitors are only welcome to come to Shad on Open Day on Thursday, July 28.
Q: How can my parents contact me during Shad?
A: Your parents can contact you on your cell phone (although you may not be able to answer due to program activities).