Khin Thida hails from Myanmar and studied UCW’s Master of Business Administration program. She graduated from the program with a 4.07 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
Khin Thida Hnin, Master of Business Administration
Congratulations
Class of 2024
Congratulations to each of you, and to your family and friends who are celebrating with you.
You are part of a mature and diverse graduating class of over 3,600 students from more than 80 countries. Most of you are fortunate to have studied at the UCW campus at Vancouver House for the duration of your studies.
You are graduating into a world that has become more divided – both by regions and fundamental beliefs – which has resulted in unfortunate wars – with many innocent casualties. I hope you have learned from your experience at UCW to respect the views of others while being true to your own values.
Celebrate your accomplishment. You deserve it.
Remember your time at UCW. Remember the professors who taught and guided you. Remember the friends you made and studied with.
Today is the closing of one chapter in your life and the opening of another one.
Toss your caps!
Chancellor’s Message to the Class of 2024
Chancellor, University Canada West
Mitchell Gropper, KC
Congratulations class of 2024! Your convocation day is designed to mark the completion of your studies and recognize everything you’ve achieved so far.
President's Message
I am delighted to be celebrating this day with you, alongside your family, friends and loved ones from around the world. You’ve reached an important milestone and should feel immensely proud.
As you step into the next chapter of your lives, your critical thinking and ability to innovate will empower you to face challenges, find solutions, and help shape the world for future generations. As UCW graduates, you will always be champions of human understanding and ingenuity, of exploring, discovering and elevating yourselves and others.
Whether you’re entering the workforce, pursuing further studies, or embarking on new adventures, we encourage you to embrace your passions, stay curious and remain resilient. As alumni, you will always be an integral part of our university community. We will always be here for you, celebrating every success and taking enormous pride in the change you bring about in business and society.
Congratulations once again, and best wishes for a prosperous and
fulfilling future.
President & Vice-Chancellor,
University Canada West
Dr. Bashir Makhoul
Elva Lee Fisher is University Canada West’s Valedictorian for Spring 2024.
Valedictorian
She was born and raised in Alberta, and lives in Cochrane, Alberta, a town about an hour from the Rocky Mountains.
Elva decided to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication degree online at UCW after pausing her career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant when her children were young.
She earned her Occupational Therapy Assistant diploma at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and shortly thereafter was working with autistic children by supporting them in enhancing communication, social skills, sensory integration and behavioural management.
After moving to a role with Alberta Health Services, she supported post-hip and knee replacement patients with their therapy plans to increase mobility and range of motion.
While Elva was focussing on her family, her youngest child started preschool. It was at this time that she realized she wanted to make a change and find a career path that would allow her to improve her writing and showcase her creativity.
With three young children at home, Elva needed to find a degree that she could pursue online around her busy schedule. That is when she discovered the Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication degree program at UCW and it was an excellent fit. She is graduating with distinction after earning a 4.13 CGPA.
Despite finishing her course work, Elva is still involved with UCW and is currently assisting Professor Wahiba Chair in a study about using X, formerly known as Twitter, as a learning tool for international students.
She is excited to start her career in communications because it is a field where she can be creative and strive to build understanding and relationships through the power of words.
Elva currently volunteers as a social media coordinator for the ARK (Accessibility Renovations for Kids) charity. ARK reshapes the world of kids struggling with mobility in their homes by providing home renovations for them and their families.
Each year, University Canada West recognizes graduating students who have a record of exceptional academic achievement over the duration of their studies.
Medals for Academic Excellence
The Medal for Academic Excellence is one of the highest recognitions of academic excellence presented to UCW students.
Maryam Mirahmadi, Master of Business Administration
Maryam comes from Iran and studied the Master of Business Administration program at UCW. She graduated with a 4.07 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
Vannia Andrea Yalan Granizo, Bachelor of Commerce
Vannia travelled from Peru to study the Bachelor of Commerce program at UCW. She graduated from the program with a 3.97 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
Marianne de Faria Bechara Andere, Associate of Arts
Marianne is from Brazil and studied the Associate of Arts program at UCW. She completed the program with a 4.21 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
University Canada West established the Teaching and Learning Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding faculty and staff.
Teaching & Learning Excellence Awards
Dr. Noosha Mehdian is an Assistant Professor and Vice-Chair at UCW's Department of Arts, Social Sciences and Communication. Before joining UCW, she taught at UBC Vantage College, UBC Continuing Studies and Alexander College. With expertise in English and Education, Dr. Mehdian has significantly enhanced student experiences by improving assessment practices, innovating in green education and media literacy as well as promoting the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and related research.
Dr. Mehdian’s commitment to UCW has extended beyond her faculty and vice-chair roles. In addition to contributing to numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the academic experience, fostering organizational development and promoting collaboration, Dr. Mehdian’s extensive leadership has been evidenced through a variety of impactful activities: including instigating and co-ordinating major teaching and learning projects, academic improvements, developing higher education teaching standards, spearheading UCW’s involvement with professional bodies including UNESCO-UNAOC (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and faculty mentorship.
Dr. Mehdian also led the successful application for the Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication (BABC) Renewal of Consent by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and redesigned process for Cyclical Program Reviews. Highly regarded by the UCW Community, Dr. Mehdian is recognized for her initiative and steadfast commitment to academic excellence and student success.
Dr. Amit Kohli is an Associate Professor in the Department of Marketing, Strategy and Entrepreneurship with more than 20 years of teaching experience. Before joining UCW, he was a researcher at the University of Arizona and received the Best Teacher Award for academic achievement and meritorious teaching from the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE).
Dr. Kohli has published extensively on a variety of topics including biomedical engineering, renewable hybrid power systems, materials engineering and, more recently, blockchain technology while collaborating with students and colleagues.
Dedicated to student-centred learning, Dr. Kohli aims to equip students with the essential knowledge, skills and certifications required by the industry. His dedication is evident through his numerous nominations for teaching excellence by former students and peers.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Kohli’s mentorship has led to student publications and successful job placements. As an active member of the UCW Community, he has served on various committees, including as the former Interim Chair of UCW’s Research Ethics Board, and has participated in external panels. Committed to continuous professional development, Dr. Kohli recently completed micro-credentials in instructional design and AI.
Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award Recipient
Dr. Noosha Mehdian
Sustained Teaching Excellence Award Recipient
Dr. Amit Kohli
Dr. Roslyn Kunin, Terry Hunter and Savannah Walling are receiving Honorary Doctorates from University Canada West.
Honorary Doctorates
Dr. Roslyn Kunin is an economist who can make the often difficult subject of economics understandable and even interesting. She is known as one of Canada’s foremost experts in community economic development and for her respectful and culturally sensitive work with Indigenous and new immigrant communities.
Dr. Kunin earned a BA in Economics from Concordia University and an MA in Economics from McMaster University, before finishing her studies and becoming the first woman to earn a PhD in Economics at the University of British Columbia in 1970.
Dr. Kunin has worked in the private sector, written a weekly newspaper column and taught at several Canadian universities including Simon Fraser and UBC. She worked for 20 years as a Regional Economist for the federal government in BC and Yukon and 10 years as Executive Director of the Laurier Institution.
She is Vice Chair of Actsafe Safety Association and was a Director of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. She was Chair of the Haida Enterprise Corporation and has served the community in many positions including Chair of WorkSafeBC, Chair of the Vancouver Stock Exchange, Director of the Business Development Bank of Canada, Director of the Canada West Foundation, Governor of UBC, Chair of the Vancouver Crisis Centre, member of the National Statistics Council and Vice-President of the YWCA. She has published numerous articles and books.
She has been awarded the Crystal Ball Award by the Association of Professional Economists, the Woman of Distinction Award by the YWCA and a Canada 125 medal for service to Canada and is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia.
Terry Hunter, C.M. (Nang Gulgaa / St'langng Laanaas Haida Clan) has been active in the performing arts for over four decades as a theatre and festival producer, director, performer, teacher and creator. He is Co-Founder of Terminal City Dance and co-founder and executive director of Vancouver Moving Theatre. He is also Co-Founder and Artistic Producer of the Heart of the City Festival since 2004, a community-driven event that celebrates Downtown Eastside artists.
He has served as artistic producer for all VMT productions, including the ground-breaking In the Heart of a City: The Downtown Eastside Community Play as well as Weaving Reconciliation Our Way and its national tour (2018). In 2016, Mr. Hunter served as project coordinator of the Survivors Totem Pole Raising Ceremony.
Recipient of nine individual Canada Council Awards, Mr. Hunter is co-recipient of the Jessie Richardson Award for Significant Artistic Achievement in Spectacle Design (1998), BC Community Achievement Award (2008), Vancouver Mayor’s Award- Community Arts (2009) and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013).
In 2021, in recognition of his leadership role in the Downtown Eastside and his ongoing support of local Indigenous communities, Mr. Hunter was adopted into the St'langng Laanaas clan of the Haida Nation and honoured with the name Nang Gulgaa (Industrious One).
In 2023, Mr. Hunter was inducted into the Order of Canada in recognition of
his work.
He has served on the Vancouver Foundation Arts and Culture Advisory, on numerous BC Arts Council and Canada Council Advisories, as a cultural consultant for the City of Port Coquitlam and as a member of the City of Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary Advisory Neighbourhood Matching Fund Advisory, Chinatown Legacy Stewardship Group, and Co-Vice Chair of the City of Vancouver Arts and Cultural Policy Council.
Savannah Walling, C.M. (hl Gat'saa / St'langng Laanaas Haida Clan) collaborates with artists of many genres, traditions and ancestries to create productions that interweave localized content, accessible storytelling, spectacle, live music and living cultural practice.
Trained in dance, mime and music, the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Vancouver Moving Theatre co-founded Terminal City Dance (1975-1983), toured masked drum dance productions on four continents (1983-1975), co-writes theatrical scripts and performs as an actor, dancer
and singer.
Ms. Walling has written, directed or co-directed 40-plus productions since 1983, including Samarambi: Pounding of the Heart, The Good Person of Setzuan and Tales from the Ramayana. She initiates artistic projects tailored for her Downtown Eastside community.
She is Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director of Heart of the City Festival and co-developed TRACKS: 7th Canadian Community Play & Art National Symposium, Downtown Eastside Arts for All Institutes and Train of Thought National Tour. She is co-recipient of the Jessie Richardson Award for Significant Artistic Achievement in Spectacle Design (1998), BC Community Achievement Award (2008), City of Vancouver Mayor’s Award- Community Arts (2009), and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013).
In 2021, in recognition of her ongoing engagement with indigenous artists and communities, Ms. Walling was adopted into the St'langng Laanaas clan of the Haida Nation and honoured with the name hl Gat’saa (Supporter of All Things).
In 2023, Ms. Walling was inducted into the Order of Canada in recognition of her five decades of visionary leadership in community-engaged art practice.
Indigenous artist commemorates 20 Years with new carving
Indigenous artist Bambi Smith was commissioned by University Canada West to create a carving to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the University.
The 24-inch yellow cedar carving includes imagery of male and female salmon, the moon and a human face. Bambie described the piece as the Symbol of Life. She carved it in a circle to represent the cycle of life and as a reminder to keep moving forward and to keep reaching for our goals.
Bambi is part of the Quw'utsun (Cowichan) First Nation of the Coast Salish region. She grew up with many carvers surrounding and inspiring her. Bambi started carving under the watchful eye of well-known artist Francis Horne Sr. and later studied under Elliot Jones.
The carving will be on permanent display at the UCW Vancouver House Campus.
We acknowledge that the territories on which UCW and its campuses are situated are the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Sel̓íl̓witulh/səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We thank them for having cared for this land since time immemorial, honour their graciousness to the students who seek knowledge here, and iterate our dedication to valuing the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples and communities.