Join us for Ontario's premier leadership and integration conference designed exclusively for first-year engineering students.
Queen's University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territory. We are grateful to be able to live, learn, and host this conference on these lands. This acknowledgment is a reminder of our collective responsibility to reflect on the histories, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous peoples, and to continue learning how we can actively contribute to reconciliation in meaningful ways.
Dear Future Delegates,
On behalf of our organizing team, we are delighted to welcome you to the First Year Integration Conference (FYIC) 2025, hosted at Queen's University. This year's conference, themed "A Present for the Future," will bring together over one hundred first-year engineering students from across Ontario for a weekend of growth, connection, and inspiration.
FYIC is more than just a conference—it is an opportunity to meet peers from 17 universities across the province, gain valuable leadership and professional skills, and immerse yourself in a community dedicated to shaping the future of engineering. Through interactive workshops, thought-provoking sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities, you will have the chance to discover new perspectives and forge your path forward as both a student and a future professional.
This year's program has been thoughtfully designed to provide an engaging balance of learning, collaboration, and celebration. You can look forward to hearing from industry experts and academic leaders, participating in an exciting case competition, and joining in discussions that highlight creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Alongside this, you will experience the supportive, vibrant spirit of Queen's Engineering—a spirit that we cannot wait to share with you.
We are thrilled to welcome you to campus and to be part of the beginning of your engineering journey. Together, let's make FYIC 2025 an unforgettable experience that sparks lasting friendships, inspires bold ideas, and equips you with skills that will benefit you throughout your career.
We can't wait to meet you this November!
Warm regards,
Jaden Belliveau and Flaminia Testa
Flaminia Testa (she/her) & Jaden Belliveau (he/him)
A conference hosted by engineering students, for engineering students.
Presented by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE), FYIC gives first-year engineering students from across Ontario the opportunity to connect with peers from around the province and participate in sessions designed to develop leadership skills, break down first-year barriers, and advance their career exploration. Attended by over 130 first-year and upper-year students from 18 universities across Ontario, this conference serves to inspire students and build connections to last their whole careers.
Hosted with the Engineering Student Societies' Council of Ontario (ESSCO), FYIC 2025 will take place at Queen's University, a world-renowned institution and a leader in engineering research and innovation.
The First Year Integration Conference (FYIC) is a unique, province-wide initiative that brings together first-year engineering students from 18 universities across Ontario. Our goal is to ease the transition into university life by providing a welcoming and inspiring space where students can build connections, develop leadership skills, and gain valuable insight into the world of engineering.
Through a dynamic lineup of interactive workshops, seminars, and dedicated industry networking events, FYIC empowers students to explore their academic and professional potential. By connecting with peers and industry professionals alike, participants begin their engineering journey with confidence, curiosity, and community.
This year, our theme is 'A Present for the Future'. We aim to inspire the next generation of bright minds to design sustainable solutions that will benefit generations to come. With additional emphasis on personal development, delegates will learn skills that will help them grow into the engineers they want to be.
FYIC 2025 is proudly hosted by Smith Engineering at Queen's University, where we are reimagining engineering education. Located in historic Kingston, Queen's is one of Canada's most distinguished institutions, recognized globally for academic excellence, impactful research, and community engagement.
Smith Engineering is cultivating a new generation of engineers—leaders with deep technical expertise and a strong sense of societal, environmental, and ethical responsibility. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and a vibrant research culture, we are preparing problem-solvers for the challenges of tomorrow.
Ranked among the top 10 universities worldwide in the 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, Queen's is committed to sustainability, equity, and global collaboration. As delegates, you'll experience the energy and excellence that define Queen's and Smith Engineering—a place where tradition meets innovation and the future of engineering is being built today.
Our top priority for FYIC 2025 is creating a space where everyone in attendance feels welcomed and safe. Our upcoming delegate package will provide specific details about the accessibility of our spaces, the intensity of our activities, the available emergency and non-emergency contacts in Kingston, and safe spaces available on campus. If you have any questions or additional requests, please don't hesitate to contact us before or during the conference and we will support you to the best of our ability.
Given the theme of this year's FYIC, A Present for the Future, our Organizing Committee has put together a set of guidelines to help in selecting delegates. FYIC 2025 at Queen's University will encourage first-year engineering students to think critically about sustainability, both in engineering practices and in the future of our communities.
This conference is designed to help delegates gain new perspectives, explore sustainable solutions, and grow as leaders within their schools and EngSoc communities. Delegates will be challenged to reflect on how their decisions today can shape a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
Payment details will be included at the time of delegate registration. Delegate fees will be due PRIOR to arrival at the conference via cheque or electronic transfer. Payments will be accepted at the absolute latest at the time of check-in at the conference. Should payment terms not be met, participation in the conference may be revoked. The organizing committee of the conference will attempt to accommodate specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Should you require payment accommodation, please reach out BEFORE the delegate registration period closes.
Here are some possible questions to ask your delegates in the selection process:
Important dates and deadlines for FYIC 2025
Pre-Delegate Package RELEASE
Pre-Delegate Registration OPENS
Delegate Registration date ANNOUNCED
Pre-Delegate Registration CLOSES
Delegate Registration OPENS
Delegate Registration CLOSES
Delegate Package RELEASE
All dates are subject to change. Please check back regularly for updates.
All conference delegates will be staying at the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront
2 Princess Street
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 1A2 Canada
+1 (613) 549-8400
Accessible rooms are available. Delegate applications will include space for accessibility requests and requests for alternate rooming preferences.
Rooming assignments will be 4 delegates per room. Each room has 2 queen-size beds. Rooming preferences and accessibility requests in your registration will be accommodated to the fullest extent possible. Delegates who have requested their own room or a room with only two people will receive invoices for additional payment for their own room.
3:00 PM Friday, November 7
A member of the FYIC 2025 Executive Team will greet delegates at the hotel for conference check-in and will be happy to answer any questions and concerns at the time of check-in.
If arriving before 12:00 PM or after 6:00 PM, please reach out to the FYIC Executive Team at (807) 630-7454.
11:00 AM (latest)
A locked room will be available on-campus for delegates to store their bags during the Sunday conference events.
Affordable bus service with multiple daily departures from various locations.
Comfortable bus service connecting Kingston to major cities.
Train service with Kingston located on the Ontario-Quebec route.
When you arrive in Kingston, both the Megabus and Via Rail stations have bus routes that can take you to your hotel.
Kingston is located on the Ontario-Quebec route for ViaRail. Cities that have train stations are shown in the figure below.
Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront
2 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A2
The local bus service can take you from transportation hubs to your accommodation and the conference venue.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available throughout Kingston.
Welcome to the FYIC 2025 FAQ section. We're here to address your most common queries and provide you with the information you need to make the most of your conference experience.
The conference will offer a dynamic mix of sessions, including keynote talks, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. These sessions will explore themes such as building technical expertise, strengthening leadership abilities, and navigating the challenges of undergraduate life. You’ll gain valuable perspectives from industry professionals, upper-year students, and subject-matter experts dedicated to supporting your academic and personal growth throughout your engineering journey. To cap it all off, you'll have the chance to put your skills to the test in an exciting case competition on the final day of the conference.
Attire varies throughout the conference. Casual wear is suitable for the opening ceremony and social. Business casual is expected during sessions on Days 2 and 3. For the banquet and case competition, formal attire is encouraged to complement the event’s elegant ambiance.
All meals will be provided, and light snacks will be available throughout the sessions.
Before the conference, review the schedule and get to know the sessions in advance. Bring a device like a laptop or tablet for the case competition on Day 3, and be prepared to take notes during sessions. Arriving with thoughtful questions for speakers and panelists will help you make the most of your learning and networking experience.
Feel free to reach out by emailing us at fyic@engsoc.queensu.ca with the subject line: “FYIC Inquiry – [Your Name]”, or send us a direct message on Instagram at @fyic2025.
In case of emergency during the event, please use the following contact information. For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, always call 911 first.
613-533-6111
613-533-6080
911