Celebrating 60 Years

Message from the Chair

The 2024–25 academic year is a special one, as the University of Toronto Department of Computer Science celebrates 60 years of transformative impact in computer science and technological innovation — both here in Toronto and around the world.

I invite you to join in the celebration at a series of special events throughout the year. I look forward to commemorating this anniversary with our extended departmental community.

– Eyal de Lara, Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science

Introduction

Stylized "60" in dark blue, containing nodes and lines in yellow and light blue

Throughout the 2024–25 academic year, the University of Toronto Department of Computer Science celebrates its 60th anniversary. This milestone commemorates 60 years since the official formation of our graduate program on July 1, 1964.

Since its founding, the department has been a pioneer in advancing the field across a broad range of research areas, including as a birthplace of modern artificial intelligence, establishing the University of Toronto at the forefront of computer science in Canada and the world.

In honour of the achievements of our community throughout these six decades, the department will be marking this anniversary year with a slate of programming, including a special lineup of speakers for the annual C.C. “Kelly” Gotlieb Distinguished Lecture Series, comprising outstanding researchers from our own community of faculty and alumni. Stay tuned for updates and we look forward to you joining us as we celebrate 60 years of computer science innovation and excellence.

Explore our History

Through an interactive timeline, get to know the people, events and innovations that have defined the past 60 years of computer science at the University of Toronto.

interactive timeline