Convocation speech
for
Dr. Mona Nemer
Chief Science Advisor of Canada
Doctor of Science, honoris causa
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
June 18, 2024
Check against delivery
President Tettey, Chair of the Board Creary, esteemed faculty, honoured guests and friends, and most importantly — proud members of the graduating Class of 2025 — good afternoon. It is a privilege to be with you on this special day, to be receiving such an honour from Carleton University, and to celebrate the accomplishments of the Science Class of 2025.
As a researcher, a mentor, an academic leader, and now the Chief Science Advisor to our government, I’ve had numerous interactions with Carleton graduates, professors and leaders. So, I know first-hand the high standards of excellence that guide the university’s teaching, research and service missions.
Graduates, today is a day of celebration, reflection, and yes, transformation — not just for you, but for the society you are now ready to shape.
In my role of Chief Science Advisor to our government, I spend much of my time working to ensure that science and evidence inform public policy. It is a role that sits at the intersection of knowledge and power, of evidence and values. And it has deepened my conviction in something I hope you will carry with you: Science is not only a pathway to discovery — it is one of the most formidable tools we have for peace, for resilience, and for progress — Progress for healthier communities, for overcoming the climate crisis, for food security, and for endless expansion of our knowledge of the universe, and the world we inhabit.
You have chosen to study science. What a brilliant decision. Science is discovery, adventure, understanding and hope for tomorrow. It is not just a method, but a shared human endeavour. Because science crosses borders. It speaks a universal language. And at its best, it is grounded in humility, cooperation, and the pursuit of a better world.
Take some of the greatest international collaborations in history: The Human Genome Project. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The International Space Station.
Or SESAME — the particle accelerator in the Middle East that brings together researchers from across the region — including Iran, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and others — working side by side in an environment of mutual respect. Its motto is simple and profound: Science for Peace.
These collaborations are not just stories of technical achievement, but of trust, diplomacy, and vision. And we need that vision now more than ever.
Graduates, you are stepping into a world of intersecting crises: war and displacement, democratic backsliding, climate instability, growing polarization, and misinformation. These forces can seem overwhelming. But I want you to know: Your training has prepared you not only to understand this world — but to change it.
Today, a global race for scientific supremacy is underway. It’s a race for leadership in artificial intelligence, in quantum computing, in carbon technology, in biotechnology, and in space. Nations are investing billions. Scientific discovery is not just driving economies; it is shaping geopolitics. As newly minted scientists, you are part of this global pursuit.
Science teaches us to engage uncertainty with courage. It demands that we listen carefully, test our ideas, and accept that progress often comes through collaboration, not competition. These are not just scientific skills — they are leadership skills, and they are citizenship skills.
We need scientists — not just in labs, but in newsrooms, in government, in business, in communities. We need your voices in shaping a world that respects evidence, values equity, promotes innovation and prioritizes peace.
So as you walk across this stage, and into the next chapter of your life, I encourage you to take bold steps. Don’t wait for perfect certainty before acting. Don’t be afraid to cross disciplinary lines — or national ones.
And, don’t underestimate the value of your perspective — especially those of you who have come from underrepresented backgrounds, or who see the world through a different lens. Your education has equipped you with powerful tools. Tools that allow you to turn dreams into innovation.
Now, use them — to build bridges, to challenge injustice, and to create the conditions where peace, prosperity, and possibility can thrive. Congratulations, Class of 2025!
We are counting on you. And I, for one, can’t wait to see what you do next.
Mes meilleurs vœux de succès vous accompagnent.
Thank you and all the best.