UVic retirees present Masterminds 2014

Retirement has rarely stopped UVic professors from sharing their rich intellectual knowledge and experiences with communities on or off campus. This April, four UVic retirees will offer insight on topics ranging from Islam to the use of math to control infectious diseases as part of the annual Masterminds free public lecture series. Presented by the UVic Retirees Association and the Centre on Aging—with support from the university—the series takes place at 7 p.m. in UVic’s Harry Hickman Building, room 105.

This year’s speakers are:

April 9—Dr. Fong Woon, “I Did It My Way: Memoir of A Woman from Hong Kong.” Woon grew up in Hong Kong, emigrated to Canada in 1968, and obtained her PhD in sociology in 1975. She taught as a sessional instructor for six years before being a faculty member with UVic’s newly formed Department of Pacific and Asian Studies in 1985. She will discuss her experiences, including surviving the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong and its grim post-war conditions, coming to Canada and confronting covert racism while seeking academic employment, and her ongoing search for identity in both Hong Kong and her adopted country.

April 16—Dr. Pauline van den Driessche, “Contributions of Mathematical Modeling to Controlling Infectious Diseases.” Ever wonder how public health officials determine their response to infectious diseases? During her career at UVic van den Driessche applied new mathematical methods to study the dynamics of epidemics. In her presentation she will explain how mathematical models are used to predict and monitor the spread of infectious diseases such as influenza, measles and malaria and to estimate the percentage of the population requiring vaccination.

April 23—Dr. Andrew Rippin, “Studying Islam in the Academic Context.”Rippin, professor emeritus of Islamic history, has written many books and articles on Islam. His presentation will explore how the study of Islam in the academic context has changed over the past 40 years and how scholars have come under a sometimes unwelcome spotlight. He’ll discuss the factors that have made the subject academically controversial as well as its positive role as a vehicle for cross-cultural understanding.

 April 30—Dr. Martin Collis, “Healing, Humor and High Level Wellness.” Collis has been at the forefront of fitness and healthy living throughout his academic life. His presentation will look at some of the ways that Canadians can live -- not only long, but well -- and enjoy life in the process. He will draw on powerful and persuasive research to demonstrate how to maximize the quality and quantity of our days.

Please register by calling 250-721-6369 or emailing senage@uvic.ca and plan to arrive early, as seating is limited. There is a $2.25 charge in all campus parking lots after 6 p.m. The stadium parking lot is recommended.