VEENA Rawat of Ottawa was named Officer of the Order of Canada on Monday “for her contributions to telecommunications engineering and for her leadership in establishing the global regulatory framework for radio spectrum management.”

Rawat was president of the Communications Research Centre at Industry Canada and a vice-president at Research in Motion. She was the first woman to hold a doctorate in electrical engineering from Queen’s University and worked on creating optimal communications in remote locations.

Rawat chaired the World Radio Conference in 2003 and led representatives from all over the world to establish international resolutions for communication channels, including regulations for how different radio frequencies should be used.

Rawat was born in India and moved to Ottawa in the 1970s.

She received a Public Service Award of Excellence (June 2011) for her contribution to telecommunications and to women in leadership.

Rawat was the only South Asian among the 86 new appointments to the Order of Canada announced by Governor General David Johnston.

The new appointees included three Companions, 19 Officers (O.C.) and 64 Members (C.M.). These appointments were made on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.

Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.

The Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Over the last 45 years, more than 6 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.