|
The Rotary Club was delighted to welcome the visiting continent of executive and staff from the University of Alberta, led by President and Vice Chancellor, David H Turpin.
Presentation to Rotary Club by David Turpin, President and Vice Chancellor of University of Alberta
Mr Turpin was introduced to the audience by Debra Pozega Osburn, Vice President - University Relations, who provided some background on David and described her first introductory phone call when he took over at the 13th President of the University. She related his comment that he was "all about community", and that has shown through in a number of initiatives that have begun under his tenure. David was previously with the University of Victoria for 13 years, is a scholar and researcher and among other distinctions is a Member of the Order of Canada.
David was happy to take part in his first official visit to Medicine Hat. He related some family history in the area, when his great grandfather moved to Calgary from Ontario in the early part of the last century. He is a biologist by training and provided this "simple" goal for the university, "to build a better community, province and country". That goal has been enshrined in the new university Strategic Plan, that they will be an uplifting, outward looking institution and take on issue for the "public good".
He spoke about the five pillars that their strategic plan (Build/Experience/Excel/Engage and Sustain). The University of Alberta is one of the top 4 universities in Canada, enjoying a variety of diverse student experiences from a Francophone campus to a small town environment. They are also operating on a guaranteed "first year residency" commitment.
He spent some time relating a large scale study of Alberta's water future, as an example of local involvement in meaningful activities. Some of these have the potential to grow into national or global projects.
David got a number of questions from the audience, his talk was well received and very much enjoyed by the club. Thanks for making us part of our visit to this area.
|
