“In politics, there’s Hilary. In music, there’s Beyonce. In research? Indira,” said President Meric Gertler this week at spring convocation, explaining that some women only need one name to be recognized.
On June 18, the University of Toronto awarded Indira Samarasekera, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta, a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. Samarasekera’s incredible accomplishments were recognized in Engineering’s afternoon convocation ceremony.
Appointed to her current position in 2005, some of Samarasekera’s most notable achievements include the development of a renewed vision and mission in Dare to Discover, the establishment of numerous international partnerships, and the initiation of construction of several major capital projects on University of Alberta campus, which together, total in excess of $1 billion.
“Let me make this simple for you: be excellent,” said Samarasekera, as she encouraged students at the U of T convocation ceremony. “Taking risk is so fundamental to achieving excellence. Without it, you cannot push boundaries.” (Watch Samarasekera’s inspirational speech).
Over a professional career spanning three decades, Samarasekera has distinguished herself as one of Canada’s leading metallurgical engineers. As a Fulbright-Hays Scholar, she earned a master of science from the University of California in 1976, and in 1980, she was granted a doctorate of metallurgical engineering from the University of British Columbia.
A sought-after speaker, Samarasekera has addressed local, national and international audiences on various issues in post-secondary education and research, and has served as moderator, presenter and facilitator at several World Economic Forums. She also sits on several national and international boards, such as Scotiabank and the Canada-wide Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC), and served a term as chair of the World Universities Network (WUN).
In 2002, Samarasekera was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of her outstanding contributions to steel process engineering. In 2014, she was named a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIMM) and an honorary member of AIME (American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers).
