Research and Education Leaders to Receive Honorary Degrees from UNBC

May 14, 2007
A former university president and a rural health research pioneer will receive honorary degrees from UNBC during the University’s annual Convocation ceremony on May 25th.

Martha Piper stepped down from her position as President of UBC in 2006 after nearly a decade of inspired leadership at that institution. Her contributions at UBC, however, marked merely the latest chapter in a remarkable career as a research leader and university administrator. She is a former director of the McGill University School of Physical and Occupational Therapy and Vice-President Research and External Affairs at the University of Alberta. Her passion for research and its contributions to society and economic growth have led to appointments on the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology. Dr. Piper is a recipient of the Order of British Columbia and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Mamoru Watanabe (pron. wat-a-naw-bay) is a physician and researcher whose work on telemedicine and rural health research helped shape the vision of the Northern Medical Program at UNBC. He was the author of the national blueprint for rural health research that was the centerpiece of the 1999 Rural Health Summit held in Prince George. Dr. Watanabe was educated as a molecular biologist and is recognized nationally and internationally for his leadership roles in health care, health policy, health research, physician workforce, rural health, medical education, information and communications technology and telehealth. He has served on a number of health-related committees and boards, including the Medical Research Council of Canada and the Prime Minister’s National Forum on Health. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001.

In addition to the presentation of honorary degrees, it is expected that about 700 UNBC students will receive their degrees during the Convocation ceremony, which will be held in CN Centre. The ceremony will also mark the installation of Alex Michalos as UNBC’s fourth Chancellor.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622