Another year and term are ending, and it’s time to take a few moments to relax and reflect on the events and accomplishments of the past year. From day-to-day work in classrooms, offices, labs and libraries to ceremonial openings of new buildings, 2011 has been an eventful and productive year.
A few highlights that come to my mind include the approval of Dare to Deliver 2011–2015, the official opening of the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, the successful launch of the Undergraduate Research Initiative, the establishment of six new NSERC Industrial Research Chairs and a record-breaking year for fundraising.
When I travel, I see and hear that the U of A is increasingly attracting attention. It’s not a surprise to me. Through the Helmholtz Alberta Initiative, we’re linking our German partners to those from China; U of A art exhibitions are touring New York and Canada; faculty members and graduate students are collaborating with the MS Swaminathan Foundation in India; undergraduate students are devising and carrying out humanitarian projects through student-led organizations such as International House and Engineers Without Borders. Doors are opening, exciting new opportunities for partnership are increasing, and international faculty and students are paying attention.
Closer to home, changes in provincial leadership have opened new conversations with government. In several recent meetings, I have powerfully reaffirmed the value of education and research, and the social and economic benefits the U of A brings to the province. This is an important opportunity for us to shape the agenda for the next several years, and in the coming months I will be listening carefully, planning strategically and advocating strongly for reinvestment in the university.
I need only point to the two faculties that will celebrate their centennials in 2012—the faculties of extension and law—to illustrate the impact the U of A has on the social and cultural development of the province. The progenitor of such renowned provincial institutions as the Banff Centre, CKUA and the University of Calgary, our Faculty of Extension’s legacy is truly impressive. Over the last century, our Faculty of Law has been the bedrock on which Alberta’s legal profession stands and has also had a tremendous impact on the civil service, politics, arts and culture, business and voluntary sectors in both Alberta and Canada. Although the details will differ, the same can be said for every faculty and school at the U of A.
Through hard work, energy and dedication to our core mission and values, the students, faculty and staff of the U of A continue to sustain and strengthen this vital and important institution. January promises an exciting start to 2012 with the official opening of the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy on the 18th, and with it, the launch of a new, ground-breaking interdisciplinary approach to health sciences education.
My best wishes to you and yours in the New Year,
Indira Samarasekera, OC
President and Vice-Chancellor
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Calling all University of Alberta Instructors!
The 5th annual Festival of Teaching (FoT) is coming March
12-15, 2012 and all full-time and contract faculty, librarians, postdoctoral
fellows and graduate students teaching at the U of A are encouraged to participate.
Two great ways to get involved are the Festival Classes and Teaching Fair.
Happening throughout the
four-day festival, Festival Classes create
a rare opportunity for instructors to directly share with
and learn from each other. We invite you to open one or more of your classes to
other instructors from across the university community so they can see you in
action.
The Teaching Fair will kick off the festival on Monday, March 12 at
3:00pm in the TELUS Centre. The fair will feature selected presentations from
instructors and students that illustrate creative and diverse approaches to
teaching.
Calls for participation,
entry forms, and more details about these and other great FoT events can be
found at www.fot.ualberta.ca.
The Festival of Teaching
showcases and celebrates the innovations and excellence in teaching that happen
everyday at the University of Alberta. Our aim is to enrich the student
experience through a dynamic exchange of ideas about teaching and pedagogical
methods.
If you have questions,
please email festival@ualberta.ca.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Dean of Faculty of Native Studies announced
It is my pleasure to announce that the Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Dr. Brendan Hokowhitu as Dean, Faculty of Native Studies, for a five-year term of office effective July 1, 2012. Dr. Hokowhitu will leave his appointments as Associate Professor at Te Tumu, the School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, and as the Inaugural Associate Dean (Māori) for the Division of Humanities, at the University of Otago, New Zealand.
Dr. Hokowhitu holds a PhD in Māori Studies/Physical Education, a master of arts, and two bachelor degrees. He has built a highly respected national and international research reputation; specializations include Indigenous culture and theory, Indigenous sport/physical education/health, Indigenous masculinity, and Indigenous film and media. He received a government panellist appointment to the prestigious Tertiary Education Commission Performance Based Research Fund, Māori Knowledge and Development, which oversees all research in the Māori knowledge area and directs state funding to all tertiary institutions.
Dr. Hokowhitu is prepared to lead the promotion and support of high-quality research in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner. His achievements in innovative teaching have reached communities beyond Otago and New Zealand. In one instance, Dr. Hokowhitu developed the first completely online master of Indigenous Studies program in the world having perceived that many Indigenous leaders, already committed to community responsibilities, encountered geographical obstacles to higher education. He is also an inaugural elected officer of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, a key association in the developing field of Indigenous Studies.
Dr. Hokowhitu considers the University of Alberta Faculty of Native Studies to be a leader in Indigenous Studies, with an accomplished faculty and impressive students and alumni, and he would like to be a part of furthering its goals. He imagines his contributions will be to increase recruitment and collaboration, to help in continuing to define what indigeneity is, and to broaden the focus on the plurality of Indigenous Studies. He also aims to advance the relevance of Native Studies to a greater level across the university and in various disciplines. With the ultimate goal of moving society into a more mature space by enabling students to be cognizant of indigenous issues and their collective histories, Dr. Hokowhitu hopes to lead and support the Faculty in their efforts to make indigeneity applicable to the studies of all students. Cognizant of the unique issues the Faculty of Native Studies faces, Dr. Hokowhitu listens to others with an openness and genuine interest in the stories, traditions and ideas, and is committed to matters of student and research support, relationships with, and service to, various communities. He is admired for his respectfulness and his ability to communicate ideas directly and clearly, qualities that attest to his achievements in relationship-building.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to Dr. Nathalie Kermoal, Interim Dean, for her excellent leadership of, and dedication to, the Faculty of Native Studies. She continues as Interim Dean until Dr. Hokowhitu arrives and begins his term.
Carl G. Amrhein
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
Dr. Hokowhitu holds a PhD in Māori Studies/Physical Education, a master of arts, and two bachelor degrees. He has built a highly respected national and international research reputation; specializations include Indigenous culture and theory, Indigenous sport/physical education/health, Indigenous masculinity, and Indigenous film and media. He received a government panellist appointment to the prestigious Tertiary Education Commission Performance Based Research Fund, Māori Knowledge and Development, which oversees all research in the Māori knowledge area and directs state funding to all tertiary institutions.
Dr. Hokowhitu is prepared to lead the promotion and support of high-quality research in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner. His achievements in innovative teaching have reached communities beyond Otago and New Zealand. In one instance, Dr. Hokowhitu developed the first completely online master of Indigenous Studies program in the world having perceived that many Indigenous leaders, already committed to community responsibilities, encountered geographical obstacles to higher education. He is also an inaugural elected officer of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, a key association in the developing field of Indigenous Studies.
Dr. Hokowhitu considers the University of Alberta Faculty of Native Studies to be a leader in Indigenous Studies, with an accomplished faculty and impressive students and alumni, and he would like to be a part of furthering its goals. He imagines his contributions will be to increase recruitment and collaboration, to help in continuing to define what indigeneity is, and to broaden the focus on the plurality of Indigenous Studies. He also aims to advance the relevance of Native Studies to a greater level across the university and in various disciplines. With the ultimate goal of moving society into a more mature space by enabling students to be cognizant of indigenous issues and their collective histories, Dr. Hokowhitu hopes to lead and support the Faculty in their efforts to make indigeneity applicable to the studies of all students. Cognizant of the unique issues the Faculty of Native Studies faces, Dr. Hokowhitu listens to others with an openness and genuine interest in the stories, traditions and ideas, and is committed to matters of student and research support, relationships with, and service to, various communities. He is admired for his respectfulness and his ability to communicate ideas directly and clearly, qualities that attest to his achievements in relationship-building.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to Dr. Nathalie Kermoal, Interim Dean, for her excellent leadership of, and dedication to, the Faculty of Native Studies. She continues as Interim Dean until Dr. Hokowhitu arrives and begins his term.
Carl G. Amrhein
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Input sought on long-range IT plan
My office is developing a long-range plan for information technology for the university. A draft set of recommendations has been developed and I would like to share it with the community.
Three town hall meetings have been arranged to give you the chance to hear some of the details and offer your input:
- Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2 - 4pm, Augustana, room C167
- Wednesday, Dec. 14, 10am - noon, Council Chambers, University Hall
- Thursday, Dec. 15, 1 - 3pm, Council Chambers, University Hall
We also welcome your input by email at vpit(at)ualberta.ca or on our web page.
Thank you,
Jonathan Schaeffer
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Information Technology)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Provost Advisory Review Committee call for nominations
In consultation with the Chair of the Board of Governors, President Samarasekera has asked that an Advisory Review Committee for Provost and Vice-President (Academic) be struck. The GFC 'Call for Nominations' and related links are now available online for viewing at Academic Staff Elections.
The period of nomination closes at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13. If you should have any questions, please contact me at your convenience.
Thank you very much,
Ann Hodgson
Associate Secretary, Governance Services
780.492.1938, ann.hodgson(at)ualberta.ca
The period of nomination closes at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13. If you should have any questions, please contact me at your convenience.
Thank you very much,
Ann Hodgson
Associate Secretary, Governance Services
780.492.1938, ann.hodgson(at)ualberta.ca
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