Wilfrid Laurier University held its spring convocation ceremonies on the Waterloo campus June 8 to 12, and on Laurier’s Brantford campus June 16 and 17. Honorary degree recipients include Ziauddin Yousafzai, education activist and father of Malala Yousafzai; Linda Schuyler, co-creator of the Degrassi television series; opera singer Isabel Bayrakdarian; scholar Natalie Zemon Davis; entrepreneur Aziz Bhaloo; Lutheran leader Martin Junge; and Mohawk language preservationist Brian Maracle.
Aziz M. Bhaloo is a Co-Founder and Chairman of The Foray Group. Prior to founding The Foray Group, Aziz held various management positions at Esso Kenya and at Esso Chemicals Canada. Aziz has been involved in community service throughout his career. From 2007 to 2015, he was the Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Kenya, a position he was appointed to by His Highness the Aga Khan. His mandate included liaising with the Government of Kenya in respect to development activities of AKDN institutions, coordination of these activities and representing the Network with the diplomatic community and other development partners. His long-standing volunteer activities include Chair, Focus Humanitarian International Coordinating Committee, a position he currently holds, as well as previous positions as President, Ismaili Council for Canada; National Committee member, Aga Khan Foundation Canada; member of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation Board and member of the George Brown College Foundation Board. These activities have earned him various awards including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal of Honour. Aziz holds an external Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of London.