WATERLOO, Ont. (Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011) - The University of Waterloo will officially install Feridun Hamdullahpur as the university's sixth president and vice-chancellor at fall convocation on Saturday, Oct. 22. As well, Waterloo's first class of pharmacy students - 87 in total - will graduate, along with 1,874 other students.
At the first session of the 103rd convocation, chancellor Prem Watsa will conduct Hamdullahpur's installation, beginning at 10 a.m. in the physical activities complex. Hamdullahpur's appointment as president of the University of Waterloo was approved last March by the university's senate and board of governors.
"Dr. Hamdullahpur brings to the University of Waterloo presidency a deep appreciation of and commitment to what is unique about this institution at this important time in its history," said Robert Harding, chair of the board and chair of the presidential nominating committee, at the time of the appointment. "He is an academic leader who is driven by a passion for both teaching and research and a genuine desire to demonstrate how quality education can change society and the lives of individuals."
Hamdullahpur previously served as Waterloo's vice-president, academic and provost and then as interim president. Hamdullahpur came to Waterloo as a seasoned academic leader with more than 34 years of university teaching, research and leadership experience. He is a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering.
Also at convocation, Waterloo will graduate its first class of pharmacy students - 34 men and 53 women - at fall convocation. They will receive a bachelor of science in pharmacy (BScPhm). Launched in January 2008, the school of pharmacy offers one of only two co-operative programs in North America. The program features a strong emphasis on patient care, including such keys areas as patient safety, business and health informatics.
"The first student pharmacists to graduate from the University of Waterloo's school of pharmacy were truly an exceptional group," said David Edwards, Hallman Director and associate dean. "As the first to experience our innovative curriculum, they provided the faculty with invaluable feedback that will benefit future generations of Waterloo student pharmacists. We look forward to seeing what kind of impact this vanguard class will make in their role as medication therapy experts in the Canadian health care system."
Lois Claxton, a former senior executive at the University of Waterloo, is one of four people being honoured during fall convocation.
Claxton, who served in the university secretariat and university library for 32 years, will receive the title of honorary member of the university at the morning convocation session, which confers degrees on 758 graduating students in applied health sciences, arts and social work.
As head of the university secretariat for 20 years, Claxton worked with four presidents and six provosts, guiding the university through a period of significant growth. The secretariat is responsible for the working of the university's governing bodies, policies, committee proceedings and legal matters.
Claxton also played an important part in preserving the university's history by writing the forwards to Ken McLaughlin's 40th and 50th anniversary books: Waterloo: The Unconventional Founding of an Unconventional University, and Out of the Shadow of Orthodoxy: Waterloo@ 50.
In convocation's afternoon session, Paul Hebert, a professor of integrative biology at the University of Guelph, will receive an honorary doctor of science degree and address 1,203 graduating students in engineering, environment, mathematics and science, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Hebert, dubbed the "father of DNA barcoding," leads a global effort to DNA barcode all species on the planet. His methodology has helped to identify hundreds of species previously unknown to science. He is also the director of the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario and the Canadian Barcode of Life Network, and holds a Canada Research Chair in Molecular Biodiversity.
At the same session, David Roulston, an internationally recognized researcher in bipolar semiconductor devices and integrated circuits, will receive an honorary doctor of engineering degree. He developed the BIPOLE fast computer program for numerical simulation of semiconductor bipolar devices, which now is used by industry and universities worldwide. The retired Waterloo professor has published more than 100 technical papers and holds six patents.
Harry Panjer, a retired professor of statistics and actuarial science, will be named a distinguished professor emeritus. One of only two academics ever elected president of the Society of Actuaries, Panjer played a leading role in nurturing Waterloo's reputation as a centre of actuarial education and research.
Image: Feridun Hamdullahpur, University of Waterloo president and vice-chancellor
About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 30,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
