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Faustina Hwang

Faustina Hwang, a master's student in electrical engineering, has been awarded a full scholarship to undertake doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The award, funded by the Canadian Cambridge Trust, is designed “to enable some of Canada's most promising students to pursue graduate studies at Cambridge University,” one of the world's great centres of learning. Ms. Hwang, who completed her undergraduate program in electrical engineering at Memorial with a 93 per cent average, is conducted her research at C-CORE, an applied research and development corporation affiliated with Memorial.

Winner of the Memorial University Medal for Academic Excellence, as well as national awards such as PRECARN's Gordon MacNabb Scholarship and an NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship, Ms. Hwang will be one of the first graduates of the faculty's fast track program. Under which exceptional students are registered simultaneously for an undergraduate and graduate degree.

Andy Fisher, Dr. Theo Norvell, Dr. Siu O'Young, and Dr. Ray Gosine (who also obtained his doctorate from Cambridge in 1989) supervised Ms. Hwang's thesis research in intelligent systems.

“Working with specific applications in mind, and in a team environment like C-CORE, helps to keep things in focus,” Ms. Hwang explained. She is enthusiastic about the move to Cambridge.

“I'm excited and looking forward to the challenge. In addition to the strong academics and the reputation of the university, this will give me the chance to see another part of the world. I think Cambridge offers a richness in terms of the cultural side to education that is probably unique.”

Dr. Gosine elaborated: “The college system creates an interdisciplinary academic environment, giving students exposure to a whole range of very bright people. The students challenge one another, in a very healthy way.”

Ms. Hwang described the selection process for the scholarship, explaining that two separate panels on academic and extracurricular issues questioned the candidates.

“I was asked how important teaching is to me, and I said it was very important. I've had a chance to do a little bit of teaching as part of the graduate program in teaching under Dr. John Quaicoe.”

Pressed to offer advice, Ms. Hwang was reluctant.

“I don't see myself as having done anything spectacular, but I feel I've been very fortunate and I'd encourage others to take advantage of opportunities like this one. Until you're challenged, you don't know whether you can succeed.”

Dr. Gosine was less hesitant.

“I'm very proud that she's going there. She's an incredible student, and she'll get a lot from there and give a lot as well.”

Highlights

Memorial University celebrated its 50th birthday in 1999. On Aug. 13, 1949, the provincial government passed the Memorial University Act, creating Memorial as a degree-granting institution. Our Festival of Anniversaries reflected several milestones to be marked over two years, including the 75th anniversary of the founding of Memorial University College in 1925, the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Fisheries and Marine Institute in 1964, and the 25th anniversary of the opening of Grenfell College. Festival of Anniversaries events and activities included recitals, conferences, special lectures, anniversary convocations, publications and symposia. [

Clyde Wells was a student in the first decade.]

The Web, e-mail and other computer applications, including personal Web pages, are becoming standard equipment for our students. Computing and Communications launched an extensive campaign to highlight the technology and the support services available and to encourage their use. [

Rod Campbell on the network.]

The Advanced Computational and Visualization Centre at Memorial is a one-of-a-kind facility for Canada; its computer will be able to carry out large-scale calculations as well as visualize them.

Wait lists were slashed this year. In addition to the normal activities of adding extra sections of a course or increasing class size, there were some new strategies. The Faculty of Science, for example, proposed that students who were repeating a course but had already passed the laboratory component should repeat just the classroom work, freeing up precious lab space.

A review of Student Affairs and Services recommended retaining the position dean of Student Affairs and Services and giving consideration to the need for a formalized position of assistant dean.

Renee Tulk was awarded $1,000 by The Co-operators. Renee is the founder of MUNity, a club whose primary purpose is to promote Canadian unity.

September 1999 marked the 10th anniversary of Memorial's Telefund Program. Since its inception in 1989, alumni contributions have increased by 160 per cent. The telefund has been the primary alumni fundraising tool for The Opportunity Fund.

The students' union reclaimed its name. The Council of the Students' Union voted unanimously to return to the use of the proper name — the Memorial University of Newfoundland Students' Union, MUNSU.

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