Chakma has 'unbridled optimism' for Western's future !!!!
By Heather Travis Friday, October 23, 2009 As The University of Western Ontario's 10th president, Amit Chakma encourages graduates to carve a place in the world and be adaptable to a changing environment and a broadening community. Chakma was officially installed during Western’s 294th convocation ceremony ...on Friday, Oct. 23. He spoke to more than 320 graduates from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, faculties of Information and Media Studies and Social Science. The installation marks a significant milestone in the university’s history, but also in his family’s history as well. As a young boy from a tribe in the hills of South Eastern Bangladesh, neither Chakma, nor his parents dreamed he would be standing one day before an audience as university president. “The story of my family is one of many examples of the strength of the human spirit. It is in many ways the story of so many – past and present – who have come to Canada with dreams, ambitions and a determination to build better futures,” he says. “I assume Western’s presidency with boundless hope and unbridled optimism.” He was joined at the installation ceremony by his mother, two brothers and their families, as well as his wife, Meena, and sons, Justin and Hiroshi. Although his father died before Chakma completed his PhD, choking back tears, Chakma described how his father supported him and would share in the pride of his achievement. Standing on the shoulders of Western’s leaders of the past, Chakma is prepared to take the next step in its global aspirations, not only teaching future world leaders, but also bringing Western and its research capacities to the world. “I also recognize the gravity of the responsibility that accompanies being Western’s 10th president. The task of educating future citizens and leaders is a noble, but daunting task,” he adds. Part of the university experience is being exposed to a diversity of views and cultures and Western has a responsibility to be a driving force behind finding solutions for complex challenges facing society, he notes. Although there may be difficult times ahead, Chakma encourages the Western community to “set our aim high and have the courage to fall short.” Among his high aspirations, Chakma envisions Western “joining the ranks of the great universities in the world by 2050. “It will be a challenge and it will not be easy. But it can be done.” Graduates also play a role in Western’s progress. He told the audience to take lessons they learned in lecture halls and classrooms, as well as from each other, and make a difference in their communities and beyond. “Go out there, discover and change the world for the better. Come home to Western often and further enrich our community with your experiences,” he says. In her introductory speech, Michele Noble, chair of Western’s Board of Governors, says it was a unanimous choice of the Presidential Selection Committee to appoint Chakma as president. “Amit believes in achievement through community and partnerships, and finding opportunity in adversity. We in the Western community are truly fortunate to have him as our leader,” she says. As part of the ceremony, Chakma recited the Declaration of Office. He received greetings from visiting representatives of other Canadian universities and colleges, from municipal, provincial and federal governments, Western employee groups, Western’s Alumni Association, undergraduate and graduate students’ representatives, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Council of Ontario Universities. Chakma holds degrees in Engineering from the Algerian Petroleum Institute and the University of British Columbia. He comes to Western from the University of Waterloo, where he served as Provost and Vice-President (Academic) from 2001 until June 30, 2009. Prior to this appointment, Chakma taught at the University of Calgary and was Dean of Engineering and Vice-President (Research) at the University of Regina. He is known as a leading authority in the field of petroleum and energy technology, and has taught specialized courses in Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Thailand, and Japan. As part of the ceremony, the status of Librarian Emerita was conferred upon Mary Jameson and Enid McFadden.
By Heather Travis Friday, October 23, 2009 As The University of Western Ontario's 10th president, Amit Chakma encourages graduates to carve a place in the world and be adaptable to a changing environment and a broadening community. Chakma was officially installed during Western’s 294th convocation ceremony ...on Friday, Oct. 23. He spoke to more than 320 graduates from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, faculties of Information and Media Studies and Social Science. The installation marks a significant milestone in the university’s history, but also in his family’s history as well. As a young boy from a tribe in the hills of South Eastern Bangladesh, neither Chakma, nor his parents dreamed he would be standing one day before an audience as university president. “The story of my family is one of many examples of the strength of the human spirit. It is in many ways the story of so many – past and present – who have come to Canada with dreams, ambitions and a determination to build better futures,” he says. “I assume Western’s presidency with boundless hope and unbridled optimism.” He was joined at the installation ceremony by his mother, two brothers and their families, as well as his wife, Meena, and sons, Justin and Hiroshi. Although his father died before Chakma completed his PhD, choking back tears, Chakma described how his father supported him and would share in the pride of his achievement. Standing on the shoulders of Western’s leaders of the past, Chakma is prepared to take the next step in its global aspirations, not only teaching future world leaders, but also bringing Western and its research capacities to the world. “I also recognize the gravity of the responsibility that accompanies being Western’s 10th president. The task of educating future citizens and leaders is a noble, but daunting task,” he adds. Part of the university experience is being exposed to a diversity of views and cultures and Western has a responsibility to be a driving force behind finding solutions for complex challenges facing society, he notes. Although there may be difficult times ahead, Chakma encourages the Western community to “set our aim high and have the courage to fall short.” Among his high aspirations, Chakma envisions Western “joining the ranks of the great universities in the world by 2050. “It will be a challenge and it will not be easy. But it can be done.” Graduates also play a role in Western’s progress. He told the audience to take lessons they learned in lecture halls and classrooms, as well as from each other, and make a difference in their communities and beyond. “Go out there, discover and change the world for the better. Come home to Western often and further enrich our community with your experiences,” he says. In her introductory speech, Michele Noble, chair of Western’s Board of Governors, says it was a unanimous choice of the Presidential Selection Committee to appoint Chakma as president. “Amit believes in achievement through community and partnerships, and finding opportunity in adversity. We in the Western community are truly fortunate to have him as our leader,” she says. As part of the ceremony, Chakma recited the Declaration of Office. He received greetings from visiting representatives of other Canadian universities and colleges, from municipal, provincial and federal governments, Western employee groups, Western’s Alumni Association, undergraduate and graduate students’ representatives, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Council of Ontario Universities. Chakma holds degrees in Engineering from the Algerian Petroleum Institute and the University of British Columbia. He comes to Western from the University of Waterloo, where he served as Provost and Vice-President (Academic) from 2001 until June 30, 2009. Prior to this appointment, Chakma taught at the University of Calgary and was Dean of Engineering and Vice-President (Research) at the University of Regina. He is known as a leading authority in the field of petroleum and energy technology, and has taught specialized courses in Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Thailand, and Japan. As part of the ceremony, the status of Librarian Emerita was conferred upon Mary Jameson and Enid McFadden.
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