BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BCIT names Dr. Kim Dotto as Dean Emeritus, Applied Research

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is pleased to name Dr. Kim Dotto as Dean Emeritus, Applied Research. Kim's remarkable leadership advanced BCIT's expertise and reputation as a trailblazer in applied research and education - enhancing applied research opportunities for students and faculty.  

A legacy of innovation, collaboration, and leadership

Kim began his career at BCIT as a faculty member in the Computer Systems Technology (CST) program. He later advanced through a number of leadership roles, creating programs that equipped students with cutting-edge skills for emerging industries.  

Kim was then appointedDean, Applied Research and Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) in 2011, where he led transformative change within research landscape at BCIT. Over 14 years he helped establish applied  research labs, including  the Advanced Additive Manufacturing Technology Hub (AAMTECH), the Food Research for Evaluation Safety and Health (FRESH) Lab, and the Phytoanalytics Lab. 

Kim was  instrumental in the creation of  the Institute Research Funds (IRF) program that provides seed funding to faculty and researchers across BCIT - not just those in Applied Research. He was a longtime advocate for the inclusion of students within applied research,  championing   entrepreneurship and hands-on learning through the annual BCIT Student Innovation Challenge.  

Throughout his 30-year career at BCIT, Kim earned numerous accolades, including the BCIT Employee Excellence Award for Leadership (2022) and the BCIT Student Association President's Award (2010). Under his leadership, BCIT's applied research initiatives deepened ties with industry, equipped students with real-world experience, and led to the development of commercially-relevant technologies. 

Kim retired from BCIT on January 31, 2025. He will be formally awarded Dean, Emeritus, Applied Research status during the BCIT Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday, June 25 at 2:30 pm.  

Emeritus faculty

BCIT grants Faculty Emeriti status to former faculty employees who have made significant contributions to industry and academia throughout their distinguished careers. It is part of our promise to ensure that BCIT is a place in which all students, faculty, and staff are continuously valued. Faculty Emeriti have practiced their profession with distinction and are recognized for their excellence and continued commitment to the Institute. 

Quick facts about Applied Research at BCIT:

• Since 1989, applied researchers at BCIT have conducted thousands of applied research projects that have directly benefited BC's businesses and industries. 

• BCIT has state-of-the-art research facilities and over 200 researchers dedicated to delivering outstanding results for small to medium-sized enterprises and industry clients. 

• In 2024, over 1,500 BCIT students collaborated on 400 applied research projects with industry partners, creating significant real-world impact.