SFU honours two exceptional Canadians

During our virtual October 2020 Convocation ceremony, SFU will confer honorary degrees on two exceptional Canadians for their outstanding achievements. These honorary degrees represent SFU’s highest honour, and celebrate those who serve as an inspiration and role model to our students, graduates and community.

Sara Diamond, Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa

A prolific researcher, artist, innovator and educator, SFU alumnus Sara Diamond is a digital media visionary who has made substantial contributions to art and technology policy in Canada. For the past 15 years, Diamond served as president of the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Canada’s largest art, design and media university, spearheading an ambitious expansion of university programming and physical spaces and championing the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and culture. She also helped design Canada’s digital supercluster strategy. Diamond serves on numerous boards and has been named to the Orders of Canada and Ontario. Her artwork is held in prestigious collections around the world, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Mina Shum, Doctor of Fine Arts, Honoris Causa

An award-winning Canadian filmmaker, Mina Shum’s films explore themes of intercultural relationships, gender roles and identity. Her stories are relatable and approachable, often centering on heroes that have little representation in cinema. An important voice for diversity in film, her acclaimed body of work has premiered at film festivals around the globe, including Sundance, Berlin, Toronto and Vancouver. A screenwriter, producer and director, Shum’s work includes shorts, documentaries and feature films. In 2015, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) ranked her documentary on the Sir George Williams protest, “Ninth Floor,” among the year’s top 10 Canadian films. Her latest film, “Meditation Park,” won the Audience Award at TIFF film circuit 2019. Her work continues to enlighten and inspire audiences.