We are pleased to announce this year’s Donald Tong Scholarship recipient, Yaniv Samson. A graduate from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering, Yaniv is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto, with a specialization in structural engineering.

Established in partnership with the University of Toronto (UofT), this scholarship is intended to encourage students to advance their studies in structural engineering. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in their first year of a graduate program within the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering.

Yaniv was selected as the recipient based on an excellent academic record, work experience, and student research projects.

Yaniv is currently undertaking a research and analysis project that investigates the behaviour of a new way to join two rectangular Hollow Structural Sections using a cast steel insert, steel plates, and bolt connections, to then compare to the current AISC 360-16 code.

Since starting his academic career, Yaniv has further developed his knowledge and design skills by pursuing and excelling in theoretical and practical courses that heavily focus on structural engineering. In addition, he has gained experience as an undergraduate research assistant in the Structures Lab at UofT, collaborated with PhD students, and mentored first year UofT civil engineering students.

Looking beyond academia, Yaniv is eager to begin a career in structural engineering.  “Currently, my career plan is to pursue a career as a structural design engineer, working on interesting and unique structures around the world, specifically sports stadiums like BMO field in Toronto,” says Yaniv. “It is my goal to develop designs which are both aesthetically pleasing and functional by working closely with architects to incorporate structural elements into the architectural design.”

Congratulations Yaniv on this well-deserved accomplishment!

About Donald Tong

The DIALOG Graduate Scholarship in Structural Engineering at the University of Toronto is named after Donald Tong, a long-time structural team member who tragically passed away in 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Donald epitomized the integrated design culture at the heart of DIALOG and we hope that future structural engineers will embody Donald’s creative, wide-ranging design spirit.

The Donald Tong Scholarship is available to full-time students enrolled for the current academic year in their first year of a MEng, MASc, or PhD program within the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto. The scholarship will grant $5,000 to the recipient, payable at the end of the fall semester.