Students and Professors
Mel Marshall Engineering Scholarship
The Canadian Concrete Pipe & Precast Association (CCPPA) and the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) are pleased to jointly announce the new Mel Marshall Engineering Scholarship! This scholarship honours industry Titan, Mel Marshall, for his lifelong commitment to advancing the precast concrete industry by teaching younger generations. The scholarship, available to students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate Civil Engineering programs in an accredited Canadian University, has a value of $10,000 per year. The scholarship funds can also be matched to bring the total to $20,000, pending approval of a second Mitacs application.
To view the eligibility, criteria and application procedures click here.
Note that completed applications must be received no later than January 16, 2025.
Sonia Saari Memorial Scholarship
CPCI is pleased to offer one scholarship at $10,000 per year, renewable upon satisfactory approval for a second year, for a total of $20,000. The scholarship funds can also be matched, pending approval of a second application through Mitacs. The Sonia Saari Memorial Scholarship is available for graduate or post graduate Architecture or Engineering students in the field of precast concrete related research, design or construction for the 2025-2026 academic year. The student must have achieved a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a Canadian accredited program by the summer of 2025. Note that international students may apply as long as they are enrolled in an accredited Canadian University.
The scholarship overview and application procedures are available here. To apply for the scholarship, students must fill out the application form and return it with other required documentation to info@cpci.ca.
Note the deadline for applications is August 15, 2025.
Learn more about previous recipients and their research:
- 2023-2024 Recipient – MD Shahjalal, University of Calgary
- 2021 and 2022 Recipients - Savannah Forest, University of Toronto and Kishoare Tamanna, University of BC
- 2019 and 2020 Recipient - Monjurul Hasan - University of Alberta
- 2017 and 2018 Recipient - Qi Zhang - University of British Columbia
- 2015 and 2016 Recipient - David Hubbell - University of Toronto
In memory of Sonia Saari - Click here for more details.
Student Design Competition
CPCI offers an annual Precast Concrete Bench Design Competition for students. The competition is a great opportunity for students to learn about precast prestressed concrete design and construction. The competition is open to all students enrolled in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Civil Engineering Technology programs.
See the 2024-2025 competition package for more details and timelines. The team registration form is also available.
Once completed, please send to info@cpci.ca. Note that the deadline to register teams is November 13, 2024 and the deadline to submit posters and the written reports is January 22, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Ariane Sabourin at ariane.sabourin@cpci.ca.
Precast Studios
The Precast Studios provide a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, learn more about precast concrete, develop new technical skills and work with local industry partners as part of their school program. It is also an opportunity for the precast industry to gain insights into the imaginations and goals of future leaders in the architecture and design industry.
There are currently six Precast Studio Programs operating in Canada:
- Dalhousie University (Architecture)
- University of Manitoba (Architecture)
- Carleton University (Architecture)
- University of BC – Okanagan (Engineering)
- University of Alberta (Engineering)
- McGill University (Engineering)
For more information on the precast concrete studio program, please contact us or by phone
at 1-877-937-2724.
Guest Lecture, Plant tour or Project Tour
Interested in a guest lecture, a plant tour or even a project tour from CPCI or industry experts?
CPCI can organize this for your class! Contact us for more information.
Resources for Professors and Students
Precast Concrete Lesson Plans
CPCI has prepared precast concrete Lesson plans and presentations, available in pdf and PowerPoint formats for in-class discussion. For more information, contact us
3D Models
CPCI has developed 3D drawings for a precast concrete bridge, a parking structure, a total precast building and various individual components. These drawings can be made available to professors who wish to print their own models for teaching purposes. For more information, please reach out to info@cpci.ca
Technical Publications
CPCI has published over 100 technical publications which are all available for free for Course Instructors/Professors teaching at colleges, universities and technical institutes studying the fields of Architectural Technology/Technician, Civil & Structural Engineering, Civil Technology/Technician, Construction Engineering, Building Design & Technology, Construction Technology & Management.
Visit www.cpci.ca/en/resources/tech_publications_reports to download these publications.
