The Ambassador of France to Canada, Mr. Michel Miraillet, presented Dr. Daniel Doz, President and CEO of Alberta University of the Arts, with the insignia of Knight of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques on Nov. 25, 2022. The ceremony was held at the Alliance Française of Calgary, of which he is a council member since 2021, in the presence of Consul General of France in Vancouver, Mr. Nicolas Baudouin, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of France in Ottawa, Ms. Charlotte Montel, members of the French and francophone community, Board Chair of Alberta University of the Arts, Carol Ryder, and Dr. Doz’s family.
This award symbolizes the French Republic’s recognition of Dr. Daniel Doz’s audacious career in North America, as a French citizen having done his studies in France and now living abroad. His achievements in Canada are remarkable and this award recognizes his dedication to the arts, in particular cinema, photography, theatre, architecture and design, always with the general public and his students’ interests at heart. This award will hopefully trigger closer bonds between France and Canada, including with Alberta University of the Arts, now a reference in Canada thanks to Dr. Daniel Doz.
The Ambassador of France, Michel Miraillet, was in Alberta Nov. 24 and 25 as part of his first official visit in the province to meet with our partners to foster and develop partnerships in several sectors between France and Alberta.
"The visionary career of Dr. Daniel Doz that he has built, as a brilliant architect, is an inspirational example of a working professional having carried his studies in France. This link is the reason why he has always remained close to the country and the French language. It therefore makes sense that France presents this distinction to him tonight." — The Ambassador of France, Michel Miraillet
Dr. Daniel Doz is President and CEO of Alberta University of the Arts. During his tenure, in 2019 the institution transitioned from a college to a university. Other pivotal initiatives include the development of the institution’s first MFA in Craft Media (a first in Canada), and the establishment of the Indigenous resource centre, the “Lodgepole Center.” Born in Montreal and educated in France, Dr. Doz has a wide range of academic experience that spans several disciplines including art, cinema, photography, theatre and architecture. Prior to AUArts, Dr. Doz was Dean of the Faculty of Communication & Design at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) (2005-10) and Head of the Division of Architecture and Art at Norwich University in Vermont (2001-05). Dr. Doz is the recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (Canada-2013) and Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta, Canada-2022).
"It is a great honour and pleasure to be recognized by the French government for a career spent nearly entirely in post-secondary education, as I deeply believe that the teaching and learning environment is one of the most important functions in our society as we look at building a stronger future for our communities." — Dr. Doz
Dr. Daniel Doz