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Volume 107, issue 10
Detained Western prof begins hunger strike Richard Raycraft News Editor A Western University medicine professor being held in Egypt indefinitely has begun a hunger strike, reports say. “Recent news reports that Schulich Medicine & Dentistry assistant professor Dr. Tarek Loubani has begun a hunger strike in protest to his detainment by the Egyptian government has heightened concern for the well-being of our academic colleague,” a release from the office of the president and vice-chancellor said yesterday. “Dr. Loubani has a history of participating in voluntary humanitarian medical treatment and training abroad, which is in keeping with
Schulich’s commitment to providing medical outreach that aims to improve medical care around the world,” it continued. Dr. Loubani has been detained in Egypt for over a month along with York University professor John Greyson. Loubani was travelling to the Gaza Strip to provide training in emergency room management, but was arrested along with documentary filmmaker Greyson when they asked for directions at an Egyptian police station. They have not been formally charged and the reason for their arrest and detainment remains unknown. “Canadian consular officials continue to meet with Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson regularly,” minister of state (foreign affairs and consular)
Given these circumstances, my office has written letters to the Egyptian embassy to add Western’s voice to others across the country and around the world urging Egyptian authorities for the immediate release of Profs. Loubani and Greyson.” — Amit Chakma, university president
Lynne Yelich said in a statement. “Canada continues to press for a timely and positive resolution to this situation.” Throughout the hunger strike Loubani and Greyson will reportedly consume only water and juice, refusing food. The strike comes following the men being informed that they may be imprisoned for up to two years. The case has attracted celebrity attention. A statement by Canadian film director Atom Egoyan advocating for their release has been signed by over 300, including Danny Glover and Charlize Theron. An online petition on change.org has attracted over 100,000 signatories. Though the current condition and future of Dr. Loubani and Mr.
Greyson remains unclear, Westerns president Amit Chakma and his staff assure that they are pursuing every avenue towards their release. “Given these circumstances, my office has written letters to the Egyptian embassy to add Western’s voice to others across the country and around the world urging Egyptian authorities for the immediate release of Profs. Loubani and Greyson,” he said in the release. “My office also continues to liaise with our local Members of Parliament as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs to encourage and thank them for their continuing efforts to advocate for the safe and timely release of our academic colleagues.”
Western Research Park to get new look $90 million proposed for 10-year long building project Jeremiah Rodriguez News Editor Plans are underway for a facelift in the Western research community and the project is sure to make businesses and researchers alike squeal with glee. The Western Research Park — a commercial hybrid between businesses and Western located off of Western road — is practically overflowing with researchers. The research park has ballooned in the past decade, and researchers and companies are looking for new digs. As a result, the university is planning to expand the research park by expanding the existing building and erecting several new ones. The 10-year, $90 million building project is being explored by London’s investment and economic prosperity committee. London city council approved the project unanimously on Tuesday and the project is anticipating drawing in more than 2,000 jobs to the Forest City and an estimated $70 million in annual output. “The federal and provincial governments are teaming to get London’s unemployment back to normal levels. We want to break ground sooner than later. You got 1,000 to 1,200 construction jobs and a further, ongoing 700 to 1,000 new full paying jobs,” councillor Joe Swan, chairman of the committee, said. The project is looking to solidify
We’re in a postindustrial age where research, innovation, and products for international markets are all happening in our home community. — Joe Swan,
chairman of the investment and economic prosperity committee
a reputation for medical innovation here in London — a reputation being built, in part, by many of the people working at the research park. “I’ve been working with six months to give shape and direction to this really fabulous investment opportunity for London. We’re in a post-industrial age where research and innovation and products for international markets is happening in our home community,” Swan said. “We have great faith in the Western community.” The idea stemmed from necessity — the research park has proven so successful they just don’t have room to house businesses and researchers who want in. “The park is at 98 per cent
Bill Wang GAZETTE
RESEARCHERS GETTING NEW DIGS. A $90 million proposal is looking to expand the Western Research Park. The 10-year project will put up several new buildings and is set to create 2,000 new jobs.
capacity,” said Paul Paolatto, executive director of the Western Research Park. “We’re bursting at the seams with more and more companies hoping to locate near the university and take advantage of the university’s research and talent.” According to the presentation given in council chambers, the
project is looking for federal and provincial funding of $48 million for new buildings and business parks and at least $22 million for a pair of new biomedical facilities. The project is gunning to retain a lot of the creative and young talent studying at Western to stay within London, drawing in even more
business to the city. “The process requires a lot of investment and infrastructure. 10 years is the strategic plan. It does take some time and we wanted to deliver. We didn’t want to overpromise,” Paulotto said. “But we’re trying to recruit in the best workers and talents.”