The SCC Awards - Recognizing our standardization champions
Standards are vital for ensuring quality, safety, and seamless operation across various industries, driving Canada’s economic growth and innovation. This wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated individuals, organizations, and committees in our national standardization network.
The SCC Awards honour these committed contributors, recognizing their time and expertise. These are Canada’s most prestigious awards in standardization. We are currently working on a revamp of our awards program to ensure that it reflects the breadth and value of our standardization network.
We are looking forward to launching our refreshed awards in 2025! We value our standards champions, and to celebrate World Standards Day we caught up with a recent winner to see what he’s been up to.
Tommy Chiu, 2022 SCC Young Leader Award winner
The SCC Young Leader Award recognizes individuals under 40 who have demonstrated leadership in standardization. Tommy Chiu, the most recent recipient, holds senior membership at IEEE. He participates in standards development as Chair of the mirror committee for electrotechnical aspects of Smart Cities and works in various roles with CSA Group. Tommy's involvement in committees, mentorship programs, and conferences aligns with his drive for collaboration and positive change in engineering. A visionary leader and educator, he champions innovation in engineering, inspiring others in the dynamic Information and Communications Technology landscape.
Q. What was your experience with winning the SCC Young Leader award, and are you still involved in the standardization network?
Tommy: Winning the SCC Young Leader Award marked a significant and empowering milestone in my career, affirming my dedication to excellence and creativity. This achievement reaffirmed that I am on the right path professionally, boosting my confidence and vision for the future.
In my current involvement with the standardization network, I actively participate in various roles. Particularly, my engagement in the CSA EXP100:22 - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) code for buildings reflects my commitment to shaping industry standards continuously. I take pride in fostering collaboration and instigating positive changes within the engineering sphere. This ongoing engagement fuels my passion for innovation and drives me to contribute to the advancement of the field.
Q. Can you share some projects of yours that were impacted by standards, and how your standards knowledge contributed to success?
Tommy: Throughout my professional journey, adherence to standards has played a pivotal role in shaping project outcomes. In a prominent smart buildings infrastructure project, my expertise in electrotechnical standards facilitated the seamless integration and interoperability of diverse systems.
Similarly, in a critical ICT network deployment project, my experience in cybersecurity standards bolstered network security by implementing industry best practices. By ensuring compliance with relevant standards, we fortified the network against potential threats, elevating overall security and reliability. My standards knowledge has consistently underpinned project success, ensuring compliance, elevating quality, and fostering innovation in alignment with industry best practices.
Q. What advice would you give to emerging professionals who are interested in participating in standards development and learning more about how to apply standards?
Tommy: For emerging professionals keen on engaging in standards development and application, I strongly recommend them to familiarize themselves with industry-specific standards organizations relevant to their field of interest. Actively participate in workshops, webinars, and committees to gain practical insights and network with industry experts.
Seek mentorship from seasoned professionals involved in standards development. Their guidance can provide invaluable knowledge and opportunities for growth in understanding how standards are applied in real-world scenarios in our engineering world.
