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| Dr Harald Rosenthal received an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from Board Chair Robin Kenyon (left) and VIU President Dr Ralph Nilson |
"This is a very special occasion for me because this honour rounds out my lifelong career that started in Nanaimo," said Dr. Rosenthal, known for his extensive achievements in the fields of fisheries science and aquaculture.
Dr. Rosenthal's affiliation with VIU (formerly Malaspina University-College) and the Nanaimo region began in the early 1970's when he worked for a year at the Pacific Biological Station, and which introduced him to Malaspina faculty Dr Bill Pennell and Dr Dave Lane.
Since establishing a relationship with Malaspina, Dr. Rosenthal has helped arrange a German-Canada Science & Technology student exchange agreement between Malaspina and the University of Kiel where he was a professor.
Now retired, Dr. Rosenthal travels extensively and visits VIU regularly as a guest lecturer on sturgeon conservation and continues to support VIU’s plan to establish an International Centre for Sturgeon Studies (ICSS) on the Nanaimo campus. He has helped secure critical infrastructure funding for this planned new facility.
"Dr. Rosenthal has been a tireless supporter of our sturgeon research efforts here," said professor Dr John Morgan.
"As the president of the World Sturgeon Convservation Society, he has included VIU as an important member of the Society as well as proposing that the ICSS be included as one of the centres of excellence in sturgeon research worldwide."
VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson said Dr. Rosenthal’s past history "has helped raise our profile as a leading institution in sturgeon studies, and his support of the International Centre for Sturgeon Studies has helped move this important facility forward".