Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
February 09, 2005
Political scientist appointed to Order of Canada
University Professor Emeritus O.P. Dwivedi has been named a member of the Order of Canada, considered the country’s highest honour of lifetime achievement. He is among 74 Canadians appointed this week by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.
“It’s an exceptional honour and great privilege for me to be appointed to the Order of Canada,” said Dwivedi, a retired political science professor. “I am humbled and gratified to be acknowledged in this way by the Government of Canada.”
In a citation issued by the Governor General’s office, Dwivedi was recognized for “contributions that span continents and cultures,” including being a scholar and expert in public administration and the environment; advising Canadian and foreign governments; serving as a spiritual counsellor to prisoners and students; leading the local Hindu Cultural Society; and founding and financing schools and a walk-in clinic in his birthplace in India.
“I believe that this has happened to me mostly because of the work I have done in association with others, and because of the support of my family, friends and students. My students have always been a great source of inspiration for me,” Dwivedi said. “I also believe in doing good karma, and that doing good karma will pay off at some point in your lifetime.”
President Alastair Summerlee called the acknowledgement “well-deserved and a great honour. Dr. Dwivedi’s work on environmental policy and stewardship, both at home and abroad, has greatly contributed to the University and the Guelph community and to many other parts of the world,” he said. “Just as important, Dr. Dwivedi has a compassionate concern for the human condition and has worked tirelessly to bring about change in the world. His being named to the Order of Canada recognizes this deep commitment.”
Dwivedi joined the University of Guelph in 1967. He taught environmental policy and law and comparative public and development administration and served as chair of the Department of Political Science from 1979 to 1990. He was named University Professor Emeritus in 2003. In 1999, he was named a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, considered Canada’s senior academic accolade.
The author of more than 32 books and 115 book chapters and journal articles, Dwivedi is past-president of the Canadian Political Science Association and president of the Canadian Asian Studies Association. He has worked around the world, acting as a consultant to the Canadian government, and served as an adviser with the World Health Organization and the World Bank in India, Papua New Guinea and Mauritius.
Currently, he is spending six months at the University of South Florida in Tampa as the senior research scholar in the Globalization Research Centre. He is lecturing on world religions and international environmental law and serving as a mentor to junior faculty and Ph.D. students.
The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service. Appointments are made on the recommendation of an advisory council, chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada, and the Governor General is the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order. Dwivedi will receive membership insignia later this year.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rebecca Kendall, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982
