INNOVATION Sept-Oct 2019

Dr. Ron DeVall has made an enormous contribution to the development of structural engineering knowledge and building codes in Canada. A member of many international post-earthquake teams, Ron’s work has advanced structural engineers’ understanding of the impact of seismic events on buildings. His presentations and dissemination of “lessons learned” has played an important role in the improved design of buildings in Canada to resist earthquake-induced loads. With his professional service beginning in the early 1970s, Ron has served on and led many technical committees for the advancement of structural engineering, particularly in regards to seismic loading. To this day, Ron continues to volunteer countless hours to the profession by mentoring and inspiring the next generation of structural engineers. Most recently, Ron was a key member of a local peer-review team that made significant contributions to the development DR. RONALD DEVALL, P.ENG.,FEC D.C. LAMBERT PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD of guidelines and design tools used to seismically upgrade schools in British Columbia. Ron and his colleagues’ experience and technical insights helped keep this process on track, leading to the development of Engineers and Geoscientists BC's Seismic Retrofit Guidelines: a state- of-the-art guide and design tool used today by structural engineers. This work has been critical to ensuring schools are made safe in the event of an earthquake.

PAUL TANG, P.ENG . MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Throughout his 45-year career, Paul Tang has consistently sought to advance technology in his field, as well as find novel applications of processes and solutions that improve overall quality while maintaining safety and minimizing costs. He has led and managed many projects in process control, instrumentation, telemetry, radio communications, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), and gas measurement in North America and overseas. Paul’s most notable contribution to the natural gas industry was the development of a patented high-pressure gas meter proving technology. This invention led to the development of the FortisBC Triple Point High Pressure Meter Testing Facility which, unlike traditional high-pressure testing facilities, offers year-round operations and provides quick and affordable high precision meter testing and calibration services to gas companies all over North America. This facility has provided a significant reduction in the uncertainty of calibrated turbine meters for natural gas flow measurement for facility users, and has revolutionized procedures at Measurement Canada and the American Gas Association. Paul’s dedication to enhancing the accuracy of natural gas measurement has played an important part in improving environmental protection and energy conservation in the gas industry. It is this knowledge and drive that he is passing along to the next generation of engineers to help them create a better future.

DR. ALI MIHIRIG, P.ENG. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Having arrived in Canada in the early 1980s to complete his studies at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Ali Mihirig quickly earned the respect and recognition of his local community through his involvement with social and family events. From helping new immigrants and refugees settling down in Canada, to supporting adult and childhood education and mentoring and counselling young people, Ali is well-known for his tireless efforts in every aspect of community service. During his tenure at the BC Muslim Association, he helped new migrants settle into Canadian life, and organized fundraising events and family services for refugees from across the world. Ali is a founding member and president of the not-for-profit Iqra Education Society. An organization that promotes community education services for adults and children, the society has been operating as a full-time certified independent school since 1990. From 2012 to 2014, Ali was appointed to the Libyan transitional government cabinet as the Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy. He also served as the chair of a ministerial committee to negotiate disarming militia groups. As his service at home and abroad demonstrates, Ali is committed to promoting dialogue between cultural and religious groups, as well as bringing people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds together.

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