UBC Reports | Vol. 46 | No. 18 | November 16, 2000

Fellowships created to honour Michael Smith

Nobel laureate mentored young researchers

The memory of the late Michael Smith will be honoured at UBC with 10 graduate fellowships that will bear his name.

"Michael often referred to the important role graduate students play in the research mission of the university," says UBC President Martha Piper. "We wanted to create a legacy that honoured that relationship."

The Michael Smith Graduate Fellowships will be awarded to 10 top-ranked students selected for the University Graduate Fellowships (UGF), making them one of the most prestigious awards offered by the university.

"I'm touched that UBC has decided to provide these major awards in Dr. Smith's name," says Graduate Studies Dean Frieda Granot. "Michael was always a great mentor to graduate students and he contributed enormously as a member of the advisory council of the Faculty of Graduate Studies."

There are about 490 UGFs available annually to students from all disciplines, including international students. A merit-based award, the UGF provides major funding for one to two years for students in full-time study or research leading to a graduate degree.

University departments nominate students for the fellowships. The nominations are adjudicated by a 12-member committee that is coordinated by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The Michael Smith Graduate Fellowships will be allocated with the next distribution of UGFs. The next UGF competition will be held in January 2001.