Full Professor Samuel Pierre (Department of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering; Director of the Networking and Mobile Computing Research Laboratory (LARIM), was awarded the Gold Medal award for career achievements on June 28, 2021. This award recognizes the exceptional achievements of an engineer whose work and involvement have improved quality of life for those in Québec, Canada, and internationally. As award winner, Professor Pierre also earned the title of Fellow of Engineers Canada.

The aforementioned award was first granted in 1972; Professor Pierre is the 49^th recipient overall, and the first professor from Polytechnique Montréal to receive it, due to his impressive professional achievements and social implication.

In collaboration with colleagues from Polytechnique Montréal, alongside businesses, government institutions, and municipal administrations, Professor Pierre has carried out numerous works which have had a positive impact on society. Further, his significant contributions have made it possible to meet important challenges in his profession while inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Professor Pierre's innovative technical ideas and daring initiatives make him a pioneer in the field of networking and mobile computing. For over 30 years, his decisive role in information and communications technologies have permitted notable advances, while his active and influential participation in the community testifies to his deep attachment to his country of origin, Haiti. As president and founder of the GRAHN-Monde organization (whose mission is to work towards the reconstruction of Haiti, and to progressively improve living conditions there), he contributes to the reconstruction of the pearl of the Antilles, all while focusing on education.

“I'm delighted to receive this prestigious distinction which also honors my alma mater, Polytechnique Montréal. This honour is twofold since this is the first time that the Gold Medal has been awarded to a professor from Polytechnique. Further, the last time this prize was awarded to a Francophone individual was in 2012,” notes Pierre.

Previously, only Polytechnique Montréal community members have received this award, namely: in 2007, the late Robert L. Papineau, (Polytechnique Montréal president 2002 to 2007). The late Bernard Lamarre, former Polytechnique Chair of the Board of Directors (2002 to 2012) and Polytechnique graduate (Po 52), received the medal in 1985. Additionally, others linked to Polytechnique who also received this honour are: Micheline Bouchard (Po 78) in 2000; JV Raymond Cyr (Po 58) in 1987; and the late Camille A. Dagenais (Po 46) in 1984.

Among notable names from Québec, astronaut and former Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette, was honored with this award in 2010. Marc Garneau, another former astronaut and current Minister of Foreign Affairs was honored in 2006.

A celebrated career

Author and co-author of numerous scientific publications, Professor Pierre's telecommunications, computing, mobile network, and online training focussed research has earned him several awards during his successful career. In addition to Engineers Canada (FIC)'s Gold Medal and title of Fellow, Professor Pierre received the Poly 1873 Prize, in 2001 and 2005, for excellence in teaching and training, as well as the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec in 2009. In 2011, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and the Université du Québec en Outaouais each awarded him an honorary doctorate, respectively in May 2014 and in November 2016. In 2017, he received the El Fassi Prize from the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie which every four years celebrates the ensemble of an individual's career, where scientific and research work has led to a wide influence on an international scale. In 2020, the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec awarded Professor Pierre the Grand Prix d'excellence professionnelle.

Multiple degrees

After completing primary and secondary studies at the Petit Séminaire Collège St-Martial d'Haïti, Samuel Pierre continued his career at the Université d’État d’Haïti (UEH), in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Law and Economics.

At the beginning of 1979, he put his studies on pause, leaving Haiti for Montreal, the latter city being where he resumed his training at Polytechnique Montréal and in 1981, obtained a first Bachelors in Civil Engineering. From 1982 to 1985, he completed another bachelor's degree at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), followed by a master's degree there - both of which in mathematics and computer science. While he was completing his Masters at UQÀM, he was also taking preparatory courses in economics for a second master's degree at the Université de Montréal (earned in 1987). During the same period, he began doctoral studies in electrical engineering at Polytechnique Montréal; he graduated with a specialization in communications network design in 1991. He began his teaching career in 1984 at UQÀM, and taught at Télé-université for 10 years, the latter an establishment he left in 1998 to become a full professor at Polytechnique Montréal.

About Engineers Canada

Founded in 1936, Engineers Canada is the national organization for the 12 provincial and territorial organizations that regulate the practice of engineering and license professional engineers in Canada. Among other mandates, it coordinates the development of national programs to set standards for engineering education, professional qualifications, and professional practice. Engineers Canada promotes a greater understanding of the nature, role, and contribution of engineers and engineering to society, and acts as the voice of its constituent associations in national and international affairs.

Our congratulations to Professor Pierre!

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