Former India president talks on rural prosperity
Barj Dhahan, 604.328.6322 (cell); barjdhahan@telus.net
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.3210; marianne_meadahl@sfu.ca
Note: Dr. Kalam will be available during this event only; media are welcome to attend. To make reservations call 778.782.3210.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former president of India, is making a brief visit to Vancouver this week and will give a public lecture at Simon Fraser University’s Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue on Tuesday, Sept. 28 from 1-2 p.m.
Dr. Kalam, India’s 11th president, will talk on Moving into Modernity: Technology and Prosperity for Rural Communities.
The Canada-India Foundation is sponsoring his visit to Canada. “We are delighted to have Dr. Kalam in Vancouver to dialogue with British Columbia’s government, business, and science and technology leaders to expand Canada-India relations and trade,” says Barj Dhahan, foundation co-chair.
Recognized as one of the most distinguished scientists in India, Dr. Kalam has been instrumental in leading the country towards prosperity, a movement he outlines in his book, India 2020 – A Vision for Freedom in India.
Says Mario Pinto, SFU’s vice-president research, who has met the former president: “Dr. Kalam exemplifies the possible trek from ordinary boy to a leading scientist and to president of a country. This trajectory has led to his very simple but effective message for youth: ‘Knowledge makes you great.’
“Dr. Kalam’s emphasis and investment on education, knowledge mobilization, and knowledge transfer is transforming India. I trust that his visit to Vancouver will serve as a source of inspiration for our own leaders in the educational, private, and public sectors.”
SFU President Andrew Petter will join those welcoming Dr. Kalam and will speak briefly about SFU’s engagement with local Indo-Canadian communities and with researchers and institutions in India.
Adds Pinto: “We are currently collaborating with India in the areas of bioinformatics and infectious diseases, population and public health, and contemporary arts and entertainment, and working to develop new initiatives in nanoscience technologies, sustainable adaptations to climate change, and computational criminology.”
An engineer, nuclear scientist, inventor and author, Dr. Kalam was the first Asian to receive America’s top engineering prize, the Hoover Medal, in 2009. The recipient of several honorary degrees, he earned the nickname ‘The People’s President’ during his 2002-2007 tenure.
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