Dr. Mohamed Lachemi was appointed president and vice-chancellor of Ryerson University in 2016 and reappointed to a second term concluding in 2026. An internationally recognized researcher and accomplished academic administrator, he has been a key contributor to the growth of Ryerson over a transformational time in the university’s history.
As president, he has contributed to the success of the DMZ – a top university-based incubator in the world. He has overseen the development of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst – a national centre for cybersecurity, and navigated approvals for a new and innovative law school launching this year. Under his direction, Ryerson was awarded leadership of the Future Skills Centre consortium, with a mandate to ensure Canadians develop the skills they need in the new economy.
He is the Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities, a member of the National Research Council of Canada, Fellow of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a Board member of Trillium Health Partners and Chair of the Education Sector of the Campaign Cabinet, United Way of Greater Toronto.
A graduate of L’Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran in Algeria (civil engineering, with distinction) and L'Université de Sherbrooke (MASc and PhD, Structural Engineering), Dr. Lachemi worked with Concrete Canada as a postdoctoral fellow and research associate, followed by a visiting professorship in Applied Science at Artois University in France.