Click the following link to download WEST 2016 Conference Agenda.
2016 WEST Conference Agenda (pdf)_
The conference venue is the Performance Theatre at the AMS student Nest of UBC Vancouver (map of UBC). This year’s brief conference lineup is presented below.
Monday June 6th
Opening Remarks and Keynote Speaker
WEST 2016 will begin with opening remarks from our conference team and the Associate Dean of Applied Science, Dr. James Olson. After this short welcome, our first keynote address will be given by Inder Singh, Metro Vancouver’s director of water policy and planning, who will discuss the topic “Growing water demands in tandem to increasing water shortages – what challenges are BC facing”?
Educational Program
Monday’s educational program will be composed of a number
of presentations from graduate students and young professionals. Presentations will be given inside the UBC AMS floating auditorium.
Wastewater Treatment Pilot Plant Tour
Conference attendees can choose to tour the UBC wastewater treatment pilot plant, a research site that has contributed to numerous research discoveries and publications over several decades at UBC.
Wine and Cheese Networking Event and Poster Session
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to network amongst themselves, indu
stry professionals, and UBC staff and faculty that work in the water and environment fields. This event will be held at the brand new UBC Perch restaurant inside the AMS building. With views of the mountains, Pacific Spirit Park, and the harbour, this venue is a must
see for all. Research posters will also be on display during this event, giving students and young professionals the opportunity to discuss their research with a diverse audience.
Tuesday June 7th
Keynote Speaker
Tuesday’s keynote address will be given by Robert Sandford, EPCOR Chair for Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. He is the co-author of the UN Water in the World We Want report on post-2015 global sustainable development goals relating to water. In his work, Bob is committed to translating scientific research outcomes into language decision-makers can use to craft timely and meaningful public policy and to bringing international example to bear on local water issues. His speech will address “What does water security mean and what is Canada’s role given the increasing global demands and risks from climate change?”
Educational Program
Tuesday’s educational program will follow the same format as Monday’s program.
Industry Panel
This year’s panel discussion will dive into the heart of “Where is Water Taking Us?” With a focus on the Pacific Northwest’s role in transboundary water issues, our panelists will provide their views on a host of questions. This year’s panelists include:
Robert Bob Sandford, EPCOR Chair for Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health
Dr. Richard Paisley, Director of the Global Transboundary Water International Waters Research Initiative, Founding Director of the Dr. Andrew R. Thompson Program in Natural Resources Law and Policy, and associated faculty member with the Fisheries Centre at the University of British Columbia
Closing Dinner & Awards
The conference’s closing dinner will be held at Nuba in Kitsilano , located at Macdonald and Broadway, only a 15 minute bus ride from UBC Point Grey campus.
The following awards will be presented:
- People’s Choice Award ($300): Most popular presentation or poster as voted by conference attendees
- Poster Prize ($200): Top poster as selected by WEST Judges
- CAWQ Phillip H. Jones Award ($300 first place, $200 second place): Top 2 presentations as selected by CAWQ and WEST judges