TMU to Name New Centre for Student Wellbeing in Honour of Business and Community Leader, Nadir Mohamed

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) announced that it will name its new Centre for Student Wellbeing for Nadir Mohamed, following two generous contributions received from his family and a close friend. 

Nadir Mohamed, a respected Canadian business leader and city-builder, passed away in September. Nadir was the embodiment of the inspiring, high impact leaders we are preparing our students to become. TMU is proud to remember his decades-long contributions to this community through the Nadir Mohamed Centre For Student Wellbeing, located at the heart of the campus.

This dedication was made possible through a generous gift from Nadir’s wife, Shabin Mohamed, and matched by a close friend to the couple and long-time supporter of the university.

Nadir was the CEO of Rogers Communications from 2009 to 2014, and was an honorary member of the TMU Board of Governors and Chair of DMZ Ventures. His leadership and guidance shaped the vision and trajectory of the university. Shabin was a founding member of The Image Centre’s advisory board, a leading institution dedicated to the exhibition, research and collecting of photography located at TMU.

Together, Nadir and Shabin have been champions of many health-care, arts and cultural and educational initiatives across Canada. The Nadir Mohamed Centre for Student Wellbeing brings their philanthropic passions together in one exciting project that will have tremendous impact on student well-being and success. 

Several key benefactors have helped to make this vision of student care a reality. Lead gifts from Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Ed Clark, Jack Cockwell and Richard Rooney will help with the construction of the building. RBC Foundation has also made an important contribution to grow and enhance programs for students with disabilities.

The Centre’s vision was kickstarted by TMU students who voted in favour of a special levy to start construction on the site, which preserves a heritage property, and makes way for an eight-story tower at the heart of the campus. Slated to open in 2027, building design has been led by Hariri Pontarini Architects with support from Two-Row Architect for Indigenous design elements. Pomerleau is the construction manager. 

The new Nadir Mohamed Centre for Student Wellbeing will make comprehensive care accessible and easy, and will offer an inter-professional holistic model of student care. The Nadir Mohamed Centre for Student Wellbeing will consolidate numerous services currently housed in buildings across campus including the Centre for Student Development and Counseling, Health Promotion Programs, Medical Centre, Academic Accommodation Support, and more under one roof to improve access and service delivery for TMU’s growing and diverse community.

“Nadir and Shabin have been longstanding friends and supporters of TMU,” said TMU President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi. “Nadir’s belief in education, innovation and leadership has shaped our institution and the broader community. He and Shabin have been strong supporters of education, health care, and community development. We are deeply honoured to further the legacy of our dear friends through the Nadir Mohamed Centre for Student Wellbeing.”

“The vision for TMU’s Centre for Student Wellbeing really resonated with me and I know it would have meant a great deal to Nadir,” says Shabin Mohamed. “He loved his time at TMU, helping students navigate their future and helping startups build their businesses. The new Centre for Student Wellbeing will bring a spirit of caring to students and to the entire TMU community for generations to come.”