The Award for Tony Martinek

Dr. John Tibbits, President of Conestoga Polytechnic – introduction of Tony Martinek, recipient of Conestoga Award of Merit, at Conestoga Convocation, November 1, 2014:

The Award of Merit is a special honour to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to society, to our community, or to Conestoga through activities and accomplishments in a particular area of study.

This year’s honoree arrived in Canada from the Czech Republic in 1967 to join the Engineering department at the University Waterloo. He joined the faculty at Conestoga in 1970 and served in a series of progressively responsible roles, eventually becoming Principal at Doon Campus as well as Dean of the School of Engineering Technology. Tony has been instrumental in the College’s growth and development, in the success of our students, and in the preparation and training of engineers across Ontario.

Here are just a few highlights:

He played a lead role in process that led to the CEAB (Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board) accreditation of the Mechanical Systems Engineering Program in 2010 and assisted in the process for Electronic Systems Engineering Program which was accredited this past summer.

Tony coordinated the Transatlantic Exchange Partnership Project that linked Conestoga, the University of Waterloo and SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary with three technical universities in the European Union for a student exchange program that would advance project-based learning in engineering education.

He has worked with industry and fostered the growth of applied research partnerships for business and technological innovation.

Tony was instrumental in invigorating cooperation between Canada and the Czech Republic in the areas of technology innovation, applied research and hi-tech business through his work with the Czech Embassy in Ottawa and local businesses and academic institutions.

In the last 15 years, he has helped to prepare almost 4,000 engineering technicians and technologists to write the Professional Practice Examination required for full membership in OACETT (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists).

Tony has been honoured by the Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic for his contributions to the renewal of engineering education and for fostering international cooperation. His achievements have been recognized by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, and by the Government of the Czech Republic.

Today, it is Conestoga’s turn to honour Tony Martinek for his many contributions to the engineering profession, to Conestoga, and to our community.

It is my pleasure to present him with the Conestoga Award of Merit. Please join me in congratulating Tony Martinek.