UVic grad wins prestigious Fulbright scholarship

by Patty Pitts

UVic alumnus Ian Scott has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright-OAS Ecology scholarship.
The award, valued at more than US $30,000 over two years, recognizes Scott's outstanding academic achievement and extra-ordinary contribution to the fields of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Scott currently works for Ecotrust Canada, where he co-ordinates community resource management and planning projects within B.C.'s Georgia Basin region. He holds a UVic bachelor's degree in geography with a minor in environmental studies.

Every year, one individual from each country in the Western Hemisphere is awarded a Fulbright-OAS Ecology scholarship. Scott is the second Canadian to win it.

The scholarship supports exceptional individuals throughout the Americas who have contributed in important ways to sustainable development in their own countries. Scholars have the opportunity to pursue advanced academic degrees in the U.S.

Scott will pursue a master's in community and regional planning at the American university of his choice. His research will focus on participatory planning and its application to regional and community economic development, with particular reference to First Nations communities. His interest lies at the intersection of economics, community development and environmental protection.

"Communities on both sides of the border are facing similar challenges, such as environmental degradation, changing economies and social upheaval," he says. "I'm excited by the opportunity to study how planners and communities in the U.S. are dealing with these important issues."

"I'm very proud to see a UVic graduate join the distinguished ranks of Fulbright scholars," says UVic President Dr. David Turpin. "Ian's success reflects the emphasis we place on interdisciplinary ed-ucation, which prepares graduates to tackle the real issues facing our world."

Long regarded as the world's premier academic exchange pro-gram, the Fulbright program attracts scholars from more than 150 countries worldwide. The program has engaged nearly 600 scholars in academic exchanges since 1990.