May 14, 2007

A former university president and a rural health research pioneer willreceive honorary degrees from UNBC during the University’s annualConvocation ceremony on May 25th.

Martha Piper stepped down from her position as President of UBC in 2006after nearly a decade of inspired leadership at that institution. Hercontributions at UBC, however, marked merely the latest chapter in aremarkable career as a research leader and university administrator.She is a former director of the McGill University School of Physicaland Occupational Therapy and Vice-President Research and ExternalAffairs at the University of Alberta. Her passion for research and itscontributions to society and economic growth have led to appointmentson the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the Canada Foundationfor Innovation, and the National Advisory Board on Science andTechnology. Dr. Piper is a recipient of the Order of British Columbiaand an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Mamoru Watanabe (pron. wat-a-naw-bay) is a physician and researcherwhose work on telemedicine and rural health research helped shape thevision of the Northern Medical Program at UNBC. He was the author ofthe national blueprint for rural health research that was thecenterpiece of the 1999 Rural Health Summit held in Prince George. Dr.Watanabe was educated as a molecular biologist and is recognizednationally and internationally for his leadership roles in health care,health policy, health research, physician workforce, rural health,medical education, information and communications technology andtelehealth. He has served on a number of health-related committees andboards, including the Medical Research Council of Canada and the PrimeMinister’s National Forum on Health. He was appointed an Officer of theOrder of Canada in 2001.

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

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