When Myra J. Hird learned that she had been awarded an honorary doctorate, she was both surprised and honoured. For more than 15 years, the Canadian professor has collaborated with researchers at Link枚ping University and the research environment The Posthumanities Hub.
鈥淚鈥檝e got so much from Link枚ping University through all the collaborations here. I hope the award can provide an opportunity to develop even more collaborations between our universities,鈥� she says.
Waste issue of justice
As one of Canada鈥檚 leading interdisciplinary researchers, she studies how waste and pollution can be used to understand broader issues relating to the environment, sustainability and social justice. For her, waste is more than an environmental problem.聽
Anna Nilsen
鈥淲e can鈥檛 solve the global waste crisis without also addressing issues of justice. Who has to bear the consequences of pollution and resource extraction? That is the fundamental question in my research.鈥�
In her new role at Queen鈥檚 University, she works to bring together researchers from different disciplines around shared societal challenges. She sees becoming an honorary doctor as an opportunity to forge stronger links between Queen鈥檚 and LiU.
鈥淚magine if students from Link枚ping could work side by side with students at Queen鈥檚. There鈥檚 enormous potential when people with different experiences meet and learn from one another,鈥� she says.
She hopes that future student exchanges, joint projects and interdisciplinary collaborations can develop between the universities. Many of today鈥檚 major societal challenges require researchers and students to work across disciplinary and national boundaries, according to Myra J. Hird.
糖心直播 that changes lives
For Isaac Macharia Wanjohi, the award is recognition of a lifelong commitment to providing young people with educational opportunities. The Kenyan marathon runner, who still runs almost as much as he did during his elite career, grew up in very poor circumstances in a rural area and had to struggle to stay in school. He later used the income from his sporting career to build schools and educational programmes for other young people.
鈥淐onsidering my background, it means a lot that a university like this recognises a life spent in the service of others,鈥� says Isaac Macharia Wanjohi.
Anna Nilsen
His own experiences have shaped his conviction that education can change the direction of a person鈥檚 life.
鈥淚 often ask myself what would have happened if someone had reached out a hand to me when I was young. Now that I have the opportunity to give others that chance, I also have a responsibility to do so.鈥�
Through Kenswed, a non-profit organization, hundreds of young people now receive an education, as well as access to healthcare, libraries, vocational training and other forms of support. The collaboration with LiU has been crucial to the development of its activities.
鈥淲hen Link枚ping University became involved in the work, we were able to strengthen what we were doing on a much larger scale. Every day, I see how education changes people鈥檚 lives and gives hope for the future to young people who might otherwise never have had the chance,鈥� he says.
The young people currently receiving an education through Kenswed give him hope for the future.
鈥淚f we use our abilities to help others, we create both meaning and hope. I see young people being given the chance to develop into independent and responsible adults who, in turn, can help others. This makes me optimistic about the future,鈥� says Isaac Macharia Wanjohi.
