University of Alberta Students Recognized for Leadership in Access to Information and Privacy

Privasoft Corporation, the global leader in automated freedom of information (FOI) case management solutions is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Privasoft Scholarship for Information Access and Protection of Privacy Certificate Program (IAPP) at the University of Alberta.

Each year, scholarships are awarded to the two students with the highest academic standings completing the IAPP Certificate Program with the Faculty of Extension, Government Studies.

For 2007, congratulations go to Mary Penny of Nova Scotia Business and Andrea Hare with Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security.

Mary Penny got her start in FOI in 1995, as the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act was about to come into force. She was appointed the Department's first FOIP Coordinator with the daunting task of preparing a department of 600 employees, with record holdings replete with confidential client information from an industry that operates in a highly competitive business environment, for implementation of this new legislation.

Operating her own consulting firm, Mary delivered on strategic projects for community and not-for-profit organizations and delivered training services on behalf of the Government Alberta. In this endeavour, together with the other members of the public - private partnership team, Mary received an Alberta 2000 Premier's Bronze Award of Excellence for "exceptional commitment to superior client and business practices".

Mary now calls Nova Scotia home where she continues to work in the IAP and policy fields for Nova Scotia Business Inc, the provincial Crown Corporation charged with business development and investment attraction. Her interest in the University of Alberta, IAPP Certificate Program was sparked by a desire to achieve a professional designation in the IAP field and to encourage others to do the same by way of example.

Andrea Hare is a FOIP Advisor with Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security. Her primary responsibilities include assisting applicants in accessing information and providing advice and guidance in regards to privacy compliance. Andrea recently joined the Ministry after working as a FOIP Advisor with Alberta Environment.

Prior to entering the IP field, Andrea obtained her Master of Library Science and worked as a consultant specializing in contract research, information management and database creation. Andrea initially enrolled in the IAPP program with a view to helping her clients access government records, but decided that working full time with FOIP legislation would be a stimulating career change. She believes the IAPP courses have provided an excellent working knowledge of the social, legal and political issues affecting the accurate interpretation and application of access and privacy legislation.

For more information on the IAPP program, visit www.govsource.net.

About Privasoft

Privasoft is a global leader in solutions for Freedom of Information, Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Act processing. For more than 15 years, Privasoft has helped government improve ATIP infrastructures by automating manual processes and standard tasks associated with processing requests for information. Privasoft solutions make up the most widely established freedom of information-specific offering in the world, with thousands of licenses deployed globally to promote transparency in government while ensuring sensitive information is protected. To learn more about Privasoft, visit www.privasoft.com.