Honorary Doctorate of Technology
BCIT is proud to present honorary degrees to inspiring individuals who are widely recognized for outstanding and sustained achievements in their areas of expertise, such as:
- Technological or business innovation
- Applied research
- Technological or trades training
- Entrepreneurship
- Health sciences
- Manufacturing
- Environmental stewardship
Nominations are invited from everyone, including the BCIT community (Tributes Committee members, students, advisory committee members, alumni, retirees and the Board of Governors).
Application Process
The Tributes Committee
The Tributes Committee administers honorary awards and is comprised of the following voting members:
- A representative of the Leadership Team, as designated by the BCIT president
- A vice president or designate, appointed by the BCIT president
- Four BCIT employees representative of the BCIT community (one from each bargaining unit and one from excluded staff)
- Two members of the BCIT Board of Governors, one of whom will serve as chair, as determined by the chair of the Board.
Eligibility and selection criteria
The Tributes Committee will consider candidates who meet either or both of the following criteria:
- An individual usually but not exclusively outside BCIT who is widely acknowledged and recognized for outstanding achievements in specific areas of expertise, that have impacted positively on BCIT specifically, or on post-secondary education in general or on the community as a whole.
- An individual who is widely recognized in the public arena for excellence and accomplishments, and whose receipt of such an award will bring honour to BCIT as well as the recipient.
NOTE: Honorary Doctorate degrees are not normally awarded posthumously or to politicians while still in office or to faculty and staff while still at BCIT. Nominations from outside of British Columbia will be accepted.
- The Tributes Committee will only accept complete nomination packages.
- Nominations will be treated with utmost confidentiality and received by the BCIT Board of Governors office for the Tributes Committee.
- The Tributes Committee will review all nominations and bring forward these nominations to the Board of Governors for approval.
- The chair of the Tributes Committee (or designate) will acknowledge receipt of each nomination.
- The nominee must agree to being nominated and the nominator must state that the nominee agrees.
- The nomination form must be completed with an accompanying statement and rationale of 500 words. The nominator must also provide three or four letters of support from colleagues or associates and an updated curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee. Curriculum vitaes are preferred and would include a summary of the nominee’s educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors and affiliations.
- The Tributes Committee may call upon nominators for clarification or more information.
- Based on full consideration of all information, the Tributes Committee will recommend final candidate(s) for Board approval.
- The chair of the Board (or designate), following approval of the BCIT Board of Governors, will contact successful candidates.
- Successful candidates will be recognized at the Convocation ceremonies in February or June.
The Tributes Committee acknowledges that the nomination process can be time-consuming. While the nomination decision must rest with the nominator, we can provide some assistance in preparing the necessary documentation. Contact executive assistant Joanne Schaap at the Board of Governors office: 604.432.8529, Joanne_Schaap@bcit.ca
Nomination packages should include:
- Completed nomination form.
- A 500-word statement on why the individual merits an Honorary Doctorate award.
- Three or four letters of support from colleagues or associates to support the nomination.
- The nominee’s updated curriculum vitae or resume.
All nominations are treated as confidential.
Please send the completed information package to:
The Board of Governors Office
British Columbia Institute of Technology
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2
Contact
For more information, please contact executive assistant to the Board of Governors, Joanne Schaap at Joanne_Schaap@bcit.ca or call 604.432.8529.
Previous Recipients
View list of all previous Honorary Doctorate recipients