Acfas - Alberta

Our mission

The mission of Acfas - Alberta is to promote science and scientific activities in French in support of the cultural and socio-economic development of the francophonie in Alberta's three main regions (North, Central and South).

What is l'Acfas ?

L'Acfas (anciennement l'Association canadienne-française pour l'avancement des sciences, puis l'Association francophone pour le savoir) was founded in Quebec in 1923 by Athanase David, then part of the Québec Liberal government of Louis-Alexandre Taschereau. Its aim was to encourage French-speaking Canadians to take an interest in research in all areas of science and knowledge. It quickly evolved into a national and even international research dissemination network, spreading the results of scientific discoveries throughout French-speaking communities. Today, by perpetuating its mandate to disseminate scientific knowledge produced by Francophones in both the private and public sectors, Acfas is also making a significant contribution to the cultural and socio-economic development of the francophonie.

Since Acfas is a national, Québec-based but pan-Canadian association, it has been committed from the outset to pursuing its objectives with all the French-speaking communities in Québec and Canada. The fact that these communities are scattered over a vast territory sometimes makes it difficult to bring them together through centralised activities. This is why Acfas has created regional sections outside Quebec: these sections are mandated to set up autonomous activities to promote and disseminate scientific culture in French, in accordance with Acfas' expectations and the needs of the community.

What is l'Acfas - Alberta ?

Acfas - Alberta is one of the regional sections of Acfas and is based at the University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean. It was founded in 1983 following an initiative by the then Dean of the Faculté Saint-Jean, Professor Gamila Morcos. Acfas - Alberta works in a variety of ways to promote research in French in the province: annual colloquium La Journée du Savoir, lunchtime lectures, publication of the colloquium proceedings, etc. Its president in 2009 was Frédéric Boily. Acfas - Alberta resumed its normal activities in 2016, after a few years' hiatus.

For more information, please consult the Acfas Guide to Policies, Directives, and Procedures relating to regional sections.

Becoming a Member of l'Acfas - Alberta

To become a member of Acfas - Alberta, you must first join l'Acfas nationale and then complete the Acfas - Alberta membership. Then send proof of your membership to the National Association by e-mail to Acfas-Alberta@ualberta.ca.

l'Acfas - Alberta Board of Directors

The Board is made up of 12 members, elected at the Annual General Meeting for a 3-year term. Each of the three regions must have at least one representative. At least two students must sit on the Board. The composition of the Board as of 5 November 2020 is as follows: