Fall 2017 PEG

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Movers & Shakers

TWO ORGANIZATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL FOCUS HONOUR SCHULICH ENGINEER Life in Canada has been good to Janaka Ruwanpura, P.Eng., PhD . The same can be said for many of the people taught and mentored over the years by Dr. Ruwanpura, Vice-Provost (International) at the University of Calgary. And then there’s the impact of his many professional contributions. Two awards that Dr. Ruwanpura received last year speak to all that and more. In November 2016, the Sri Lanka Foundation International in Los Angeles honoured Dr. Ruwanpura with a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding professional and personal accomplishments. Originally from Sri Lanka, Dr. Ruwanpura left his home country to study in the U.S., before coming to Canada. Also in 2016, Dr. Ruwanpura received the Science Technology Engineering and Math Award at the 20th Immigrants of Distinction Awards, a program of Immigrant Services Calgary. The award citation notes that Dr. Ruwanpura wears two hats: he is a licensed Professional Engineer and a professional quantity surveyor. The author of numerous technical articles, Dr. Ruwanpura developed a “productivity toolbox” that has altered the culture of the Canadian construction industry, by encouraging a more productive and internationally competitive workforce through changes in workplace practices, says the citation. But there are other hats, too. Along with his vice- provost position, he’s a professor of civil engineering for the U of C’s Schulich School of Engineering. Suc- cessfully supervising and mentoring more than 150 graduate students, most of them international students, Dr. Ruwanpura is a recognized leader in academia and his industry. In 2007 he was appointed the Canadian

DR. JANAKA RUWANPURA, P.ENG. . . . . .helping newcomers thrive.

Research Chair in Project Management Systems. He was also Director of the Centre for Project Manage- ment Excellence until becoming a vice-provost in 2013. He attributes much of his success to a supportive and diverse workplace environment. “The University of Calgary has helped me thrive academically and professionally and become who I am today,” says Dr. Ruwanpura, who’s been a professor there since 2001. The award from Sri Lanka Foundation Interna- tional recognizes Sri Lankans living abroad for their exceptional achievements. Recipients must have made noteworthy contributions to their fields and been hon- oured at an international level by professional or peer organizations. “I am truly honoured to receive this award that recognizes my lifetime work and contributions,” says Dr. Ruwanpura. “I am happy to work and contribute to Canada, and proud to keep Sri Lankan heritage alive in my heart.”

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