A tenured University of B.C. professor has been named as the new chancellor for Quest University.
George Iwama has accepted the nomination from the school’s board of governors to become the university’s third chancellor, succeeding Daniel Birch.
“Quest University Canada is truly honoured to welcome Dr. George Iwama,” the school said in a written statement. “Dr. Iwama is a strong advocate for Canadian higher education and for excellence in undergraduate education.”
Iwama received a Ph.D. in Zoology, specializing in fish physiology and aquaculture, from the University of B.C. and later became a professor at that school.
He has served as dean of science at Acadia University and Carleton University, and was president and vice-chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia until 2013.
During his time at Acadia, he piloted a block teaching program, which is the same system used by Quest, wherein students start and finish courses one at a time.
In 2014, Iwama went to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, to serve as provost and Vice-CEO.
Upon returning to Vancouver in 2016, he has been involved with the University of B.C. as the vice-dean of aquaculture and strategic initiatives in the faculty of land and food systems.
He has also been working as assistant director to the institute for the oceans & fisheries in the faculty of science.
On top of all that, Iwama is also an editor for the journal Aquaculture.
