The Westerner for March 8, 2010

District Conference:  our club will subsidize your attendance but you have to register soon as the conference registration is reaching capacity

Rotary International Convention - Montreal:  if you plan to attend, contact Laurie as there is a group attending and group functions are being planned

PETS/SETS:  Ben thanked Jerome for his 2 presentations at this district training weekend; Laurie indicated that there are jackets or tee shirts available for purchase that show Rotary logo and international theme

Rotary Club of Edmonton West Jacket or Vest:  contact Laurie if you want to purchase one or the other

Assistant Governor Pin:  Mike Ryan presented same to Ann Orsini who has been an assistant governor for several years

50/50:  Dan Graham and Rob Dunseith did not match cards

Finemaster:  Duane did not appear so no fines levied

Guest Speaker:  Rob Dunseith introduced Brian Heidecker, chair of the Board of Governors for University of Alberta (member of the board since 2000, chair since 2006) - Brian and his wife won the best garden in Edmonton award.

It is Important that the U of A be in the top 20 universities in the world by 2020.  They have adopted the motto "Dare to Discover."

In 1905, Bill 1 of our initial legislature created the University of Alberta since our people demand that knowledge be made available and be available to all residents

Through 14,000 employees and 37,000 students this university discovers and disseminates new knowledge.  The budget is $1.5 billion, 2/3rd of research is medical.  Program funding is in place for all the new buildings under construction.  The changes in the world impact our lives and we need to attract top individuals to research and/or present new knowledge facets.

The university has entered into an agreement with an association of German Research Scientists with respect to oil sands development.  This is the first agreement that this particular group of scientists has entered into that is with an entity located outside of Germany.  It is important to both organizations for the research goals and the fact that it will graduate over 100 PhD candidates.

The three universities located in Alberta constitute the Alberta Centre of Excellence in Hydrocarbon Research.  This is especially important considering the carbon constraints being placed on our world through the Copenhagen Climate Talks.  Although there was no agreement on the details of an overall carbon use reduction target, there were many sub target agreements reached.  A $30 billion adaptation fund was created, technology was determined to be key to solutions of carbon reduction plans, the maximum increase in average world wide temperature was agreed to be no more than 2 degrees Centigrade.  The continuing international debate on greenhouse gas reduction is important to Canada's future.

The associaton with this European research group was necessary since the U of A needs to provide the best research done by the best knowledgable people.  Because of our connections, we (Centres of Excellence in Hydrocarbon Research) will be seated in areas of great influence at future climate change conferences.  The debate over who pays, controls, ensures compliance with future climate change policies needs to be addressed - industry or government or both.

This presentation was specific to one important research aspect being handled by the U of A.  The U of A promotes many other subjects of important research in a similar manner - thus the need to be in the top 20 global university ranking.

The improvements needed to reach the top 20 by 2020 will come in buildings, administration, teaching staff and in students.  We heard confidence that this goal will be reached and possibly even before the target date.

Brian was thanked by Jerome.

Thanks to Bob Kimmerly for taking notes for this week's Westerner.