Peruvian-born engineer Rosa Galvez-Cloutier —the first Latin American female scientist to hold a seat in the Senate of Canada— currently pays a visit to Lima to participate in the 8th Summit of the Americas.
The 57-year-old senator representing Quebec returned to her homeland as Vice-Chair of
ParlAmericas, namely of the parliamentarians participating in the summit.
On Wednesday, she held meetings with her peers from the Peruvian Congress.
When asked about her appointment as a senator, Galvez-Cloutier pointed out "it's a different method of choice as any citizen can apply."
"However, there is a council that rigorously assesses each profile, and after several months of waiting, they chose me," she told Andina news agency with a big smile.
Biography
Later, the Peruvian lady traveled to Canada —where she got married and had three children— to continue studying. There, she earned both her Master of Science and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from McGill University.
Besides, Galvez-Cloutier was head of the Laval University's Department of Civil and Water Engineering.
Anecdote
Galvez-Cloutier recalled she had taken part in sports activities also joined by Vizcarra while studying in Peru. Yet, she never imagined that —years later— they would meet far from the Inca country (he as
Ambassador to Canada, and she
as senator from Quebec).
"I attended (the ceremony) where he received his credentials as Ambassador to Canada; we talked and realized we had several mutual friends," she remarked.
"Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to undertake projects, since he had to return to Peru (to become President)," the official added.
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