Media Release | Sep. 21, 1998
Computer scientist Maria Klawe appointed UBC dean of Science
Maria Klawe, vice-president, Student and Academic Services, has
been appointed dean of the Faculty of Science at the University
of British Columbia. She officially steps down as vice-president
to take on the dean's role Nov. 1, 1998.
"We face a number of challenges in the faculty," says Klawe. "We
need to continue to develop innovative new programs while maintaining
the strength of core programs that have long been the heart of the
faculty. The faculty will continue to actively support both disciplinary
and interdisciplinary activity within the university while looking
outward to build new relationships with industry and the broader
community."
Klawe has served as vice-president since February 1995. Prior to
that she was head of the Dept. of Computer Science for six and a
half years. She holds the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council (NSERC)-IBM Chair for Women in Science and Engineering.
"I have enjoyed working with Maria over a number of years and look
forward to working with her in this new role," says Barry McBride,
UBC vice-president, Academic. "She brings a wealth of experience
in the Faculty of Science to the dean's position, as well as the
experience she has gained from her responsibilities as a senior
vice-president."
During her term as vice-president, Klawe worked to increase students'
communication and involvement with the university through a variety
of means including open forums, surveys, and a new campus-wide orientation
program, Imagine UBC.
She also worked to improve access to information technology through
several initiatives including high-speed networking of the campus,
and the provision of e-mail and Internet access to all students,
faculty and staff.
As a researcher, Klawe has gained particular recognition for her
work on the use of interactive multimedia in education. She is founder
and director of the collaborative Electronic Games for Education
in Math and Science (E-GEMS) project.
Through E-GEMS, scientists, educators, writers, and professional
video game and educational software developers work together to
develop interactive multimedia and curriculum materials that integrate
electronic games and related activities with existing classroom
practices for teaching mathematics and science.
Klawe has also made significant research contributions in several
areas of mathematics and computer science including functional analysis,
discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science.
Klawe takes over from acting Dean David Measday and former dean
McBride.
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