My journey from Rwanda to UVic and the UN
I was born in Rwanda, and at the age of seven I experienced the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Without the care and guidance of an adult, I escaped death by walking day and night with my two younger brothers. For over half of my life I lived in a refugee camp in Uganda characterized by food shortages, lack of drinking water and violence. I was unable to envision a future where these basic needs were not the central focus of my life.
Day in the life: Mick Scow
A day in the life of Mick Scow—administrative assistant with Indigenous Governance Programs—isn't greatly different from his days as a master's student in the same program just a few short months ago.
Grad research aids coalition on homelessness
When Health Information Science grad student Tyrone Austen went looking for a master's thesis topic, he wanted to do something that would have impact and make a difference close to home. "I wanted to work on a project that would provide immediate benefits to the community and improve efforts to address homelessness," says recent master's graduate Austen.
New school's focus is public health
For the first time in 20 years UVic is launching a new school. Starting in September 2011, the School of Public Health and Social Policy in the Faculty of Human and Social Development will offer a Master's of Public Health, a Graduate Diploma in Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Community Services through online distance delivery.
Building leaders for the social economy and civil society
“Communities and societies are grappling with many challenges in a rapidly changing world,” says Lynne Siemens, professor and graduate advisor in the School of Public Administration. “Addressing them requires new leadership and ways of working with individuals, communities, organizations and governments.”
Convocation: Philippe Lucas
Victoria City Councillor and Vancouver Island Compassion Society founder Philippe Lucas has had his share of life experiences. Lucas was exposed to hepatitis C through the tainted blood supply at age 12, but the condition was only diagnosed in 1995, the same year that his father committed suicide. “Sometimes life makes choices for us, and with the benefit of a little longevity we can see that even the most adverse event or situation can lead to some positive outcomes,” says Lucas, whose personal experiences with medical cannabis led him to conduct a number of research projects on this topic over the last 15 years.
Dr. Mary Ellen Purkis re-appointed
Dr. Mary Ellen Purkis has been reappointed dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Development for a term of five years, commencing July 1, 2010.
Dr. Marilyn Callahan: Award for Excellence
Dr. Marilyn Callahan (social work, emeritus) has been awarded the 2009 Canadian Association for Social Work Education Award for Excellence, given annually to a Canadian academic in social work.
Dr. Abdul Roudsari: Appointed director
Dr. Michael Prince: Human Rights
Dr. Michael Prince, Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy, participated in a panel discussion in Ottawa in March to advise the Canadian Human Rights Commission on how to reduce the number of complaints it receives from people with disabilities.
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