Economics Prof. Paul Beaudry has won the Petro Canada Young Innovator award for his research into ways Canadian society can protect jobs, families and communities as the economy changes in an effort to stay competitive.

"His work has the potential to be of significance to society at large," said Petro Canada President and Chief Executive Officer James Stanford.

Petro-Canada Young Innovator Awards are provided to help ensure that outstanding young Canadian researchers can continue their careers in Canada.

Education Prof. Jane Gaskell has been awarded the Whitworth Award for Educational Research by the Canadian Education Association.

The prize is awarded each year to honour a person who has made a noteworthy contribution to educational research in Canada.

Gaskell, associate dean and professor in the Dept. of Educational Studies, was recognized for her research on school improvement.

The award was established in 1967 by Fred Whitworth, former director of the Canadian Council for Research in Education.

Jim Carruthers of Campus Planning and Development has received the President's Environmental Award for 1997.

The award recognizes UBC employees who have made exceptional contributions to environmental awareness and protection efforts.

Carruthers, a development planner, helped develop procedures to assess potential environmental contamination in sites owned by the university.

He is the third recipient of the award. Previous recipients were Diana Hastings, Wood Science and Paul Harrison of the Botany Dept.

The creators and builders of BCnet, Canada's first regional Internet, were recognized recently by Prime Minister Jean Chretien for their contributions.

Jack Leigh, director of University Computing Services at UBC and BCnet president; UBC Computer Science Dept. Facilities Manager and BCnet Director John Demco and UBC Central Networking Manager and BCnet General Manager Michael Hrybyk were presented congratulatory letters from Chretien in Ottawa this summer.

BCnet was officially opened as Canada's first regional network in June 1988 after becoming operational in 1987. Leigh was responsible for the development of BCnet together with Herb Widdifield of UVic and Ian Williams of SFU. BCnet continues to operate under the umbrella of the three universities as B.C.'s provincial regional Internet service provider.