December 1, 2005 Source: University of Calgary:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/dec05/internatiional-awards.html Faculty members honoured with international awards The fifth annual University of Calgary Internationalization Achievement Awards (UCIAA) were handed out at the Rozsa Centre on November 30. President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Harvey Weingarten pointed out how internationalization is an important component of the university’s academic plan. "The awards give us reason to celebrate. We are honoured to recognize individuals and programs that foster internationalization at the University of Calgary." This year the Academic Program Award went to the Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS) Study Abroad Program—Barcelona, Spain. Initiated in 1994, the program has given hundreds of University of Calgary students the opportunity to live and study for an extended period in one of the most interesting and culturally engaging city in the world. Sheona Mitchell, a medical student, won the Student Award. Mitchell has maintained a high level of local involvement through her volunteer commitments with the International Students Centre, World University Services of Canada, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and the Refugee Sponsorship Board. Mitchell has been involved in many international activities and has been instrumental in promoting the internationalization vision of the University of Calgary. Dr. Donald Ray and Dr. Harrie Vredenburg both won the Faculty Award this year. Ray, a professor in the Department of Political Science, is the International Coordinator of the Traditional Authority Applied Research Network (TAARN). He is also the project leader of the Traditional Leadership in Local Governance and Social Policy in West and Southern Africa. Dr. Vredenburg is a professor of strategic management and Suncor Energy Chair at the Haskayne School of Business and is the founding director of the International Institute for Resource Industries and Sustainability Studies (IRIS). Both the institute and its graduate programs were founded on the principles of developing energy resources globally in a sustainable manner. These initiatives have led to the Haskayne School of Business being consistently ranked as one of the top business schools worldwide in research and teaching in social and environmental sustainability and responsibility. This year the Leadership Award goes to Dr. Stephen Randall. Randall has been dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences since 1994. His dedication as a leader of internationalization is apparent in his lengthy contributions to the University of Calgary and the international community. In 1996 he was elected to the Royal Society of Canada, the highest academic recognition this country can offer. Randall also received Colombia’s highest civilian decoration, the Grand Cross, Order of Merit from the Presidency of Colombia. Joseph C.Y. Leung is the recipient of the Community Award. Leung served as a member of the University of Calgary Senate from 1999–2005. As a member of Senate he contributed his time and energy to a number of initiatives. He has been involved with the Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS) in a number of key internationalization efforts, most notably the EVDS Alta de Lisboa project and his ongoing role as a member of the EVDS Dean’s Advisory Council. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dr. Merlin Brinkerhoff. When he joined the University of Calgary in 1970, he immediately became an integral part of the International Activities Committee, an interdisciplinary group that was the forerunner to the International Centre. He was also a very active member of the Latin American Studies Group. All of his sabbatical leaves involved cross-cultural research in Mexico, various countries in South America, India and the Philippines. hroughout his career, he also worked as a consultant in various countries such as Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, St. Lucia and Bangladesh. His university career has focused on research, teaching (especially graduate students) and administration from an international perspective. As an academic, Merlin feels strongly that these international activities have been life-long learning experiences that have broadened his knowledge and understanding and made him "who and what" he is. Dr. Dennis Salahub says that internationalization is about people—individuals, in their various roles, who bring the world into our university, and in turn, bring the university out to the world. "We are able to grow internationally due to the efforts of our outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni and out external Calgary community.
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