Communicating research’s role to public is key, says vice-president, Research
Celebrating UBC’s research excellence on campus and in the community is the
goal of a program being launched from the Office of the Vice-President, Research.
“UBC is the largest research enterprise in the province and yet the depth
and breadth of the research being conducted is not well known,” says Indira
Samarasekera, vice-president, Research. “And it’s especially important for us
to communicate the role of research in the social and economic well-being of
Canada.”
The program, called Celebrate Research, comprises a number of activities including
the creation of a new UBC Research Web site and a yearly campus-wide Research
Awareness Week, says Pharmaceutical Sciences Prof. Sid Katz, who was recently
appointed to lead the program.
Celebrating research excellence is a key goal of Trek 2000, UBC’s vision statement.
The first research awareness week is planned for March 5-9, 2001 and will
include public seminars on key research initiatives, debates on shared research
issues, and workshops on new and emerging research areas. Events will be held
on campus, at the teaching hospitals and in downtown Vancouver.
A gala awards evening, featuring performances by members of UBC’s School of
Music, will take place March 8 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.
Existing and proposed research weeks and awards events will be integrated
into the planning of Celebrate Research. Areas of research that have not been
adequately acknowledged will be recognized with the creation of new awards.
Katz is a former executive director of Science World in Vancouver and director
general and CEO of the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. Samarasekera notes
that his long-standing interest and experience in promoting the public awareness
of science will be a strong asset in this more global initiative.
Suggestions for Celebrate Research may be directed to Katz at sidkatz@exchange.ubc.ca.
