JANUARY 2001

Keough named chief scientist

Dr. Kevin Keough, Memorial's vice-president (research and international relations), was named Health Canada's first chief scientist. The appointment was announced in Ottawa Jan. 4 by Federal Health minister Alan Rock. As Health Canada's inaugural chief scientist, Dr. Keough has a mandate to bring leadership, coherence and expertise to the overall strategic direction of Health Canada's scientific responsibilities, activities and needs. He is responsible for promoting a high quality of health research by fostering links among scientists within the federal department, across the country and around the world.

Oxford scholar

Niall O'Dea received the nomination for this year's Rhodes Scholarship. Mr. O'Dea completed his B.Sc. (Hons.) in biology and BA in philosophy from Memorial in April. He is the son of deputy registrar Maire O'Dea and English professor Shane O'Dea. The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and now bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to Oxford University.

Public Policy Centre opened

The Public Policy Research Centre in the Faculty of Arts became operational. Founded with financial assistance of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the centre has as its mission the enhancement of social and economic public policy in Newfoundland and Atlantic Canada through collaborative research and the development of research capacity at Memorial. "We want to promote awareness about the policy relevance of much of the research that happens here at Memorial," said Dr. Sean Cadigan, director of the new centre. "The centre is here to try to make communication more effective and give our research a recognizable shape for policy consumers. It's a place to which government agencies can come when they want to know what research has been done relating to an issue in public policy."

New director for marine centre

Capt. Anthony Patterson was appointed director of the Marine Institute's Centre for Marine Simulation, which focuses on maritime training, industrial assistance projects, and research and development using an extensive array of simulation facilities. "To build success at the centre, we need to take a step-by-step approach," said Capt. Patterson. "We will first look in- house to ensure our facilities, multi-disciplinary team and quality program meet the needs of the maritime industry and government. We will then work with other resources within the province to strengthen the capabilities offered to clients locally, nationally and internationally."

History on display

The official opening of the history of Memorial University exhibition titled Launch Forth ... The First 75 Years of Memorial University, took place on Friday, Jan. 26, 2001, at the base of the Memorial Tower on the St. John's campus. President Axel Meisen thanked former president Dr. Arthur May, Dr. Paul Johnson and archivist Bert Riggs for their contributions, pointing out that the installation explores the unique story of the province's university. Thanks also went to the staff at Technical Services for their valuable work in preparing the exhibition space, including making exhibit case furniture in the rotunda. The Memorial Tower was a gift of the Johnson Family Foundation which, with Johnson Insurance, also supported building the exhibit.