Thea Vakil Scholarship
As a long-time instructor, associate director of the School of Public Administration, and executive director of the Centre for Public Sector Studies, Thea Vakil trained top provincial and federal civil servants, graduates and alumni who went on to lead national and international community organizations. Thea's teaching is legendary: she was the recipient of the 2002 Faculty of Human & Social Development Teaching Award of Excellence and the 2004 Commerce Students' Society Faculty Award of Excellence.
Thea was a senior executive with extensive experience in several large portfolios over 15 years in the BC government. She served as Manager of Research and Information in 1985 in the Government Personnel Services Division, secretary to the Treasury Board (1987-92), assistant deputy minister in Forests (1992-94), Associate Deputy Minister of Health (1994-96), Chief Operating Officer, Ministry for Children and Family Development (1996-98) and finally assistant deputy minister in the Attorney General's Office (1998-2001). Thea served brilliantly. Her professional experience spans policy advising, leading organization change initiatives, finance and budgeting and human resources management. Thea was and is the consmnmate professional public servant, advisor and change maker.
Even when in government, Thea taught several courses at the University of Victoria every year. As Associate Director of the School of Public Administration, she counselled and supported several directors, and has been primary supervisor for scores of graduate capstone professional reports for clients. Thea was pivotal in coordinating the successful Leading the Way program delivered for the BC Public Service by three post-secondary institutions (the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University,and Camosun College).
This scholarship is established in her name to celebrate her remarkable service to government and UVic.