The UBC News Digest is a weekly summary of news stories about UBC
people, research, learning, community, and internationalization
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Apr. 25, 2002
- Clean energy research
receives boost from Methanex - New Registrar recruited
from University of Alberta - UBC Student Film
Festival features variety of techniques
Clean energy research receives boost from Methanex
UBC President Martha Piper announced this week a gift of $500,000
from Methanex Corporation to help the Clean Energy Research Centre
(CERC) at UBC.
"Methanex’s involvement will position CERC to conduct leading-edge
research that will have a positive impact on the quality of our
air," Piper said. "Methanex’s support is testament that
CERC will be an important player in developing technology to reduce
emissions and alternative fuels for transportation."
The gift, matched by UBC, will establish the Methanex Professorship
in Clean Energy Research. The first holder of the Professorship
will be Dr. Bob Evans, director of CERC and known internationally
for his work in reducing exhaust emissions from internal combustion
engines. Dr. Evans will lead a team of world-class researchers looking
into a range of alternative and renewable energy sources, including
natural gas and hydrogen for internal combustion engines, fuel cell
systems integration, bioconversion of wood wastes to fuel, and advanced
hydrogen production methods.
"The Clean Energy Research Centre at UBC is a tremendous initiative,
one that we believe can greatly impact clean energy research technology
and innovation, and continue to establish Vancouver’s reputation
as a world leader in the area," said Pierre Choquette, President
and CEO of the Methanex Corporation.
Ron Britton, Senior Vice-President President for Emerging Energy
Applications at the Vancouver-based Methanex Corporation, said,
"The decision to invest in CERC became clear when we considered
the powerhouse of researchers in the Centre who have already demonstrated
their ability to produce the type of research and technological
innovation that can be commercially viable and effective."
About 17 faculty members from three departments in UBC’s Faculty
of Applied Science are currently involved with CERC.
"While corporations can conduct some research in-house, the
difference here is that CERC will bring together engineers from
many disciplines and others at UBC to pursue full systems research,"
said Britton. "While cognizant of the need to commercialize,
academic researchers will take a longer term view of the process
of innovation which can lead to some interesting and unanticipated
results."
Dr. Evans and a team of leading researchers, who were recently
successful in attracting $3.6 million from the Canada Foundation
for Innovation, established CERC last year. "Methanex’s support
will go a long way in enabling us to conduct much-needed energy
research to continue to pursue technological solutions to improve
the environment," said Evans.
Methanex Corporation (www.methanex.com)
is an industry leader in emerging energy applications and the world’s
largest producer and marketer of methanol.
New Registrar recruited from University of Alberta
Brian Silzer has been appointed Assoc. Vice-president, Enrolment
Services and Registrar effective May 1.
Silzer comes to UBC following a 30-year career at the University
of Alberta where he held several positions including Registrar and
Assoc. Vice-president of the university.
In his new role, Silzer will provide leadership on the integration,
and improvement of enrolment services. His responsibilities will
include recruitment, admissions, scholarships, financial aid, classroom
services, student information systems, records and registration
functions, supporting both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Silzer will also partner with the faculties and senate to plan
and build each year’s Class and ensure that new initiatives are
consistent with the University’s Trek 2000 vision and new Academic
Plan.
UBC Student Film Festival features variety of
techniques
The Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing will present
the 13th Annual Persistence of Vision Student Film Festival, at
the Ridge Theatre on May 4 and 5.
The student-developed productions cover a wide variety of subjects
and genres, including a Rock and Roll comedy, a contemplative art
film, a medieval drama, and more. There are 10 films, all of which
are fifteen minutes or less in length.
The technology used to create the films is as varied as their subject
matter. In the world of low budget student filmmaking, where equipment
such as cranes and steadicams are out of the question, a lot of
creativity goes into "getting the shot," say the filmmakers.
"For one shot we hung Sarah, our cinematographer, from a tree
using climbing gear to make sure she was safe," explains student
producer Louis Pearlman. " I was nervous hoisting Sarah, and
a million-dollar camera that was lent to us, into the air. But we
got the shot off and it looks great."
Other students have also pushed the boundaries in order to achieve
their vision. Jamie Travis, director of Diary of an Insomniac reveals:
"All twenty of our cast and crew were sharing a bathroom in
my little apartment that we were shooting in. I was terrified that
my landlord was going to evict me!" But when asked if it was
worth it Travis answers, "Yeah, this was a great experience
and now I’ve directed my first film and I’m really happy with it."
