2012-2013

News Release

REF NO.: 64

SUBJECT: Husky Energy Chair in Oil and Gas Research appointed at Memorial University

DATE: January 28, 2013

Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science has a new research chair. Dr. Brian Veitch, a professor of ocean and naval architectural engineering, has been appointed the new Husky Energy Chair in Oil and Gas Research.
The $2.5-million endowment for the Husky Energy Chair in Oil and Gas Research was initiated in 2003 by Husky Energy. The current focus of the chair is to undertake an innovative research program in offshore oil and gas research, with particular emphasis on offshore engineering for harsh ocean and Arctic environments.
“The Husky Chair in Oil and Gas Research will support further understanding of harsh environment operations and underscores Husky’s commitment to help develop the province’s engineering capability in this very challenging area,” said Malcolm Maclean, senior vice-president for Husky Energy’s Atlantic Region. “We look forward to working with Dr. Veitch to make the chair a key part of the local research and education community.”
Dr. Veitch grew up in St. John’s and graduated with a bachelor of engineering degree, followed by a master of engineering degree from Memorial University. He completed further graduate studies at Helsinki University of Technology, where he focused on naval architecture and ocean engineering.
Dr. Veitch returned to Canada in 1996 to work with the National Research Council. In 1998, he was appointed to the Terra Nova Project Junior Research Chair at Memorial, where he developed an applied research program on ocean environmental risk engineering. In parallel, he initiated an inter-disciplinary research program on offshore and maritime safety with the goal of improving the safety of life at sea. His work has garnered a number of awards, including the President’s Award for Outstanding Research at Memorial University and Transport Canada’s Marine Safety Award. He also helped launch several technology companies with his graduate students.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Veitch has held several administrative roles in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and currently serves on the board of directors of the Research and Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“I am honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to serve as the Husky Energy chair,” said Dr. Veitch. “I look forward to working in partnership with Husky Energy to develop an interdisciplinary research, development and innovation program focused on offshore engineering. Through our work, we aim to create an exciting teaching and learning environment for students and researchers alike, with the ultimate goal of having positive, practical impact on the industry.”
Dr. Christopher Loomis, vice-president (research), Memorial University, said the appointment is an excellent example of industry-academic collaboration.
“The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science has been steadily growing its research capacity and building a reputation for innovative offshore engineering research,” said Dr. Loomis. “The success of faculty members like Dr. Veitch is attracting the attention of industry partners like Husky Energy and I have no doubt that this research partnership will lead to further advances that will enhance our knowledge of operating in harsh offshore environments and provide new insight to industry.”
Dr. Veitch was selected for this position after a thorough international search. The appointment, effective Jan. 1, 2013, is a five-year term and is eligible for renewal. 
 
About Memorial University
 
Founded in 1925 as a memorial to Newfoundland’s war dead, Memorial University College was elevated to degree-granting status in 1949 as Memorial University of Newfoundland. Today, the university is the largest in Atlantic Canada, with about 19,000 students. Memorial provides excellent undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in virtually all disciplines. With locations in St. John’s and Corner Brook in Newfoundland, Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador, the French-owned island of Saint-Pierre, and Harlow in England, Memorial is committed to experiential learning. The university’s many interdisciplinary programs abound with opportunities for experiential learning, ranging from on-campus employment to work terms around the world.
Outstanding research and scholarship, extraordinary teaching and a focus on community service are the university’s hallmarks. Many teaching and research activities reflect our mid-North Atlantic locations; these unique settings and our cultural heritage have led to the creation of highly-regarded academic programs and specialized facilities in areas such as music, linguistics, folklore and human genetics, as well as earth sciences, cold-ocean engineering, rural health care and archaeology. For more information about Memorial University of Newfoundland, please visit www.mun.ca.
 
About Husky Energy Inc.
 
Husky Energy is one of Canada’s largest integrated energy companies. It is headquartered in Calgary, Alta., in Canada and is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol HSE and HSE.PR.A. Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, Husky is the operator of the White Rose field and satellite extensions. More information is available at www.huskyenergy.com.
 
 

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