Concordia Journal Home > Archives > June 4, 2009 issue >

Provost’s Circle of Excellence 

By Shelagh Peden and Russ Cooper

On June 2, Provost David Graham held the first annual Provost's Circle of Distinction reception to honour remarkable Concordia faculty for external recognition of their work. Thirty-six faculty members were celebrated at the reception held in the 11th-floor lounge of the EV building.

Inductees were chosen for the circle based on their career achievements recognized by such bodies as the Orders of Canada and Quebec, the Royal Society and various scholarly associations.

"The idea is to recognize those who have external awards for their longtime contributions to the academic world, and to recognize them within our community," said Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Professor Rama Bhat, who was appointed Vice-Provost Academic Relations last August.

In his role in the Provost's office, Bhat was mandated to encourage academic leadership and help facilitate academic life as it progresses. He approached Graham and the Academic Cabinet in November with his proposal for the event, which was supported from the beginning.

"These external awards say something of this institution," said Bhat. He explained how the circle will provide an incentive for other faculty members to excel in their respective areas.

The university also stands to benefit from the awards. They are expected to enhance the reputation of the university externally, develop a positive culture and increase pride within the university. Those named to the circle this year will be able to nominate deserving colleagues in future editions.

"When you give recognition, you also feel very fulfilled," smiled Bhat, who thanks everyone who contributed to the event. "There are so many people behind this effort." Bhat would especially like to thank Donna Stewart, coodinator for full-time faculty in the Office of the Provost.

The full list of honourees and their CVs will be listed on the Provost's website in the near future. Below is a list of inductees.

Dr. M. Omair Ahmad
Dr. Arshad Ahmad
Dr. Sabah Alkass
Dr. Shimon Amir
Prof. Raymonde April
Dr. Prabir Bhattacharya
Dr. Yogendra Chaubey
Dr. Vašek Chvátal
Dr. Michel Despland
Dr. Maria Elektorowicz
Dr. Nabil Esmail
Dr. Paul Fazio
Dr. François-Marc Gagnon
Dr. Fariborz Haghighat
Dr. Adel Hanna
Dr. John Harnad
Dr. Suong Van Hoa
Dr. Michel Laroche
Dr. John McKay
Dr. Osama Moselhi
Dr. Hany Moustapha
Dr. Muthukumaran Packirisamy
Dr. Marius Paraschivoiu
Dr. Stylianos Perrakis
Dr. Subhash Rakheja
Dr. Venkatanarayana Ramachandran
Dr. Amruthur Ramamurthy
Prof. Mahesh Sharma
Dr. Peter Shizgal
Dr. Sherry Simon
Dr. Theodore Stathopoulos
Dr. Ion Stiharu
Dr. Ching Yee Suen
Prof. Françoise Sullivan
Dr. M.N. Srikanta Swamy
Dr. Srikanta Swamy
Dr. Georgios Vatistas