CUE hosts Minister of Advanced Education
Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) hosted Alberta’s minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney today. CUE President Tim Loreman and Board Chair Jim Gendron toured her around campus to meet with students and faculty and to demonstrate the advantages of being part of the CUE community.
“It was wonderful to see Minister Sawhney here today. We offered her a packed program of activities with discussions with senior leaders, seeing faculty members’ research, viewing our indigenous centre, and then meeting with our students of course, which is one of the most important pieces today,” shared President Loreman.
“I think any time the Minister can take her time to attend and participate in the program that President Loreman outlined, it can’t be anything but helpful,’ added Board Chair Gendron.
Tour of CUE’s research lab
Dr. Cecilia Bukutu, CUE’s Dean of Science, welcomed Minister Sawhney into the Allan Wachowich Centre where faculty members demonstrated some of the ground-breaking research undertaken at CUE.
They showcased a series of ongoing research projects in bioplastic development, waste reduction, and soil health. Dr. Bukutu shared more about CUE’s Public Health program, one of the University’s most in-demand developing public health professionals across Canada.
Dr. Emmanuel Mapfumo and Dr. Deb Hemmerling spoke to their “super worm” research which explores how certain species of worms are able to eat and digest polystyrene and to create fertilizer.
“We talk about having Albertan solutions to our problems, and I think these research projects are a great example of that.” said Dr. Bukutu. “Right now, there’s no real solution for getting rid of polystyrene. Now we have an opportunity in Alberta to lead the way.”
“We are looking at expanding to take a look at different conditions and different additives that could be used to improve consumption rates, survival rates, and potentially reproduction,” said Dr. Mapfumo.
Student voice
Minister Sawhney also spent time with Concordia Students’ Association President Abha Sharma, Graduate Students’ Association President Khalid Iqbal, and other CUE student leaders.
“When we get the chance to present ourselves and share our opinions with the minister and university officials, we feel like they do care about us, and the things they are doing, they’re doing for the students,” said Sharma.
“I thought it was a fantastic morning. I really appreciated her visit,” said Loreman. “CUE wants to be at the forefront of elected officials’ minds when they’re making decisions – especially decisions that impact us, so it’s important that the Minister feels familiar with CUE and feels comfortable and welcome coming here.”