A soil scientist from the University of Calgary and another from the University of Northern British Columbia are recipients of scholarships from the Agricultural Institute of Canada Foundation.

Tariq Munir of the U of C and Alexander Koiter of UNBC are the 2012 recipients of the Dr. Karl C. Ivarson Soils Scholarships in recognition of academic achievement, areas of study, leadership and career interests. The scholarships are worth $3,000 each.

Munir is in the third year of a degree program in the department of geography. He is studying the potential effects of climate change on soil in Alberta’s boreal peat land region.

“Mr. Munir believes in teaching and practicing his soil and environment profession and currently instructs an undergraduate course in soils and vegetation at the University of Calgary, where he promotes active learning and engagement,” said an AICF news release.

Koiter is doing his doctoral thesis on sediment fingerprinting, a technique used to determine the source of sediments and associated contaminants.

“One of his personal goals has been to highlight the importance of soil as a resource that needs to be protected and to encourage young students to consider soil science as a rewarding career choice,” said the news release.

Ivarson, for whom the scholarships are named, was a scientist with the Soil Research Institute. He died in 2010.