Gift from Stream-Flo Industries creates new project lab at Schulich School of Engineering

Teamwork and collaboration are key components of the student experience at the Schulich School of Engineering. Thanks to a gift from Stream-Flo Industries Ltd., students will benefit from a new first-year project laboratory. The facility will be named the Duncan McNeill Project Laboratory in honour of the company’s founder.

The contribution of $200,000 from Stream-Flo Industries Ltd. is an investment in the expansion of the engineering complex, which is scheduled to open in 2016. The Schulich School of Engineering Expansion and Renovation Project will create capacity for at least 400 additional undergraduate and graduates students.

Stream-Flo Industries Ltd. is one of Canada’s largest manufacturers of equipment for pipelines and upstream oil and gas exploration and production.

“We believe in a family culture and the employees are the ones who are more responsible than me for where we are today. We are pleased to be investing in future employees,” says Duncan McNeill, founder of Stream-Flo Industries Ltd.

“This laboratory will be a high-profile space for teaching common core computer-based courses to all incoming engineering students,” explains Bill Rosehart, interim dean of the Schulich School of Engineering. “The generous gift from Stream-Flo Industries Ltd. will have a significant impact on the training of future engineers who will drive technology and innovation towards a sustainable and prosperous economy for Alberta.”

The Duncan McNeill Project Laboratory will feature specialized software and several monitors throughout the room to facilitate teaching. Outside of class time, the lab will be available to students on a drop-in basis.

“Thanks to the generosity of donors, my time at the Schulich School of Engineering has been an incredible experience, both inside and outside the classroom,” says Oliver Descoteaux, fourth-year student and president of the Mechanical Engineering Students’ Society. “I'm excited to see the direction the school is going and all the new opportunities being given to students thanks to the continued support of our engineering program.”

The gift from Stream-Flo Industries Ltd. is a contribution to the Engineering Leaders campaign, the largest fundraising initiative in the history of the Schulich School of Engineering. The goal is to raise $60 million to support capital projects, research and students at the Schulich School of Engineering. The campaign is on target to reach its goal in 2014 because of strong support from the community and industry partners.