Fernand Seguin


Fernand Seguin, was a Canadian biochemist, professor and host of science programs on radio and television.
In fact, Seguin, who hosted a program on Radio-Canada's TV network in 1954, is believed to be the first broadcaster to present a science program on television in Canada.
He was the first Canadian to receive the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science, the only other being David Suzuki in 1986. His nomination was advanced as the inaugural act of l’Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec.

Honours

  • 1952 – Co-winner of a Canadian Radio Award from the Canadian Association for Adult Education for his radio programme Carte blanche in the "light entertainment" category.
  • 1961 – Médaille Archambault from l’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences for his writings and films that popularized science topics, notably his pioneering films about the history of science. The medal was "presented annually for works of outstanding practical merit by French-speaking scientists".
  • 1968 – Co-winner of the Prix Mandarine for his interview television programme Le Sel de la semaine, as determined by a panel of journalists to be the best radio or television show of the year in the French language in Quebec.
  • 1968 – Trophée "Méritas" for best television interviewer, as determined by a vote of readers of the newspapers and magazines of Publications Péladeau and presented at the annual Gala des Artistes.
  • 1975 – Honorary doctorate from Université de Sherbrooke.
  • 1977 – Prix de journalisme Olivar-Asselin from La Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal "for his work in making scientific matters understandable to the public."
  • 1978 – UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science.
  • 1978 – Officer of the Order of Canada; promoted to Companion in 1988.
  • 1979 – Honorary doctorate from Concordia University.
  • 1979 – Médaille Fernand-Seguin was established in his honour at Université de Sherbrooke for students excelling in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. One medal was awarded annually in each department.
  • 1979 – Co-winner of the Prix de journalisme Judith-Jasmin from Cercle des femmes journalistes for a television documentary on cancer.
  • 1980 – Honorary doctorate from Université de Montréal.
  • 1983 – Honorary doctorate from Université du Québec.
  • 1985 – Officer of the National Order of Quebec.
  • 1988 – Sandford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute "en reconnaissance de son travail inlassable pour la communication des connaissances scientifiques".
  • 1988 – Member Emeritus of l’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences.
  • 1988 – École Fernand-Seguin in Montréal was named in his honour.
  • 1988 – Prix du Grand public by a vote of the readers of the La Presse newspaper for his book Le cristal et la chimère.
  • 1989 – Bourses Fernand-Seguin were named in his honour by l’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences, with each scholarship comprising a monetary prize and an internship in science communication with a media organization. The scholarships were previously known as Concours de journalisme scientifique since their establishment in December 1981.
  • 1989 – Mont Fernand-Seguin in Gaspésie National Park was named in his honour.
  • 1989 – Parc Fernand-Seguin in Châteauguay was named in his honour.
  • 1989 – École Fernand-Seguin in Sainte-Foy,_Quebec_City was named in his honour.
  • 1991 – École Fernand-Seguin in Candiac was named in his honour.