Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed, who has spent his career expanding awareness and understanding of Inuit rights and realities as well as advocating for social equity for Inuit in Canada, is set to receive an honorary degree on Oct. 21.

Carrier Sekani Family Services Chief Executive Officer Warner Adam has spent his career advocating for Indigenous children and families. He has collaborated with UNBC researchers on studies related to health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people as well as reshaping the politics of health care. Now he's set to receive an honorary degree from UNBC on Oct. 21.

Artist and carver Ron Sebastian will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Oct. 21 as UNBC hosts a special in-person celebration with the Classes of 2020 and 2021.

Five faculty members have received funding to acquire new state-of-the art equipment that will help their research into areas that will support the development of innovative technology to improve the lives of residents in the north, B.C. and beyond.

Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Dr. Ramla Qureshi is exploring how hybrid wood-steel buildings withstand hazards including fire and earthquakes. If her research demonstrates the buildings are reliable, she believes it could lead to more hybrid buildings being constructed.

Environmental Engineering student Madeline Clarke was tasked with putting a new spin on a standard machine used to assess industrial hygiene as her summer project with Northern Analytical Laboratory Services (NALS) at UNBC. She rose to the challenge.

The Wabooz garden has undergone an inviting transformation this summer as phase one of the First Nations Centre's revitalization plan nears completion. UNBC student Sarah McLaughlin credits tremendous support from Facilities staff for helping with her efforts to lay a foundation that will allow the garden to bloom and grow in the years to come.

UNBC student Kyndra Farrell won a Face of Today Scholarship and a Fellowship from the Herrendorf Family Foundation. The Bachelor of Commerce student is putting that support to good use this summer as she works to create a pilot project aimed at encouraging young people in rural communities to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.