NEWS: SPP Associate Director honoured with Alberta Immigrant Impact Award
The Alberta Immigrant Impact Awards celebrate the contributions of immigrants across Alberta and this year, the School of Public Policy’s Dr. Siu Ming Kwok is among those to be honoured, recognized for his remarkable contributions through professional and academic excellence.
The awards celebrate the contributions of immigrants in Alberta who have enriched the province in sectors such as business, science and technology, and academia. The career and academics contribution category recognizes individuals for professional or academic excellence.
“I am humbled to receive this award, and thank you to Lillian Li, our Master of Public Policy alumni for the nomination,” said Kwok. “I believe social workers have a responsibility to pass on their knowledge to future generations and continuously contribute to the field of social work through education and mentorship.”
Kwok has a long background in social work, with more than 40 years of experience as a registered social worker, academic, researcher and regulator. Originally from Hong Kong, his exposure to both Western and Eastern worldviews have influenced his approach to work and teaching.
He says social workers should be trained in three key areas: research, practice and teaching. This has been reflected throughout his career, where he has received numerous awards for both research and teaching.
Kwok is a social work professor in the Faculty of Social Work, he is also the Associate Director of the School of Public Policy, where he oversees the School’s daily operations.
Kwok has served as the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) and Associate Dean (Southern Alberta Region) in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Kwok also served as President of the Alberta College of Social Workers, and as President of the Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators. In 2025, he was invited to serve on the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) United Nations Commission’s New York Team as one of the North American representatives.
“It is an honour to congratulate Siu Ming,” said Hall Findlay, Director of the School of Public Policy. “This award reflects his steadfast dedication and commitment to his students, the school, and the field of social work. It’s a privilege to have his expertise and leadership at SPP.”