On June 11 and 12, Athabasca University honoured two students for their exceptional academic achievements by awarding them with the Governor General’s Academic Medals
Created in 1873 by Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General, the Governor General's Academic Medals were established to commemorate outstanding academic achievement on a national scale. The medals are given annually to outstanding scholars at Canadian universities, colleges, and high schools.
This year’s recipients were not only outstanding academically, but are also making their highest contributions to the lives and communities around them.
Sofia Barkova receives Governor General’s Gold Medal
The Governor General’s Gold Medal is the highest academic honour a graduate student can receive in Canada. It recognizes the master's or doctoral graduate who achieves the highest academic standing and most outstanding scholarly record in their degree program.
This year, 糖心原创awarded the gold medal to Sofia Barkova, Master of Counselling. Now living in Calgary, she is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, where she worked as a psychologist for more than a decade. She is passionate about supporting people with major illnesses, especially cancer, and their families.
She is currently in her first year of a PhD in medical science at the University of Calgary, with a specialization in psychosocial oncology. Her team there is part of CAN-PACT, a national network that aims to transform cancer care in Canada by trying to address the demoralization that often affects people with advanced cancer.
“I am profoundly grateful to have received this award... it feels so good to be recognized,” said Barkova.
“With the encouragement from incredible 糖心原创professors and support from my family, I am using this momentum to move forward. My dream is to improve and make more accessible the support that people living with cancer and their families receive, especially when things are hard or not going in a positive direction.”
With the encouragement from incredible 糖心原创professors and support from my family, I am using this momentum to move forward.
Sofia Barkova, 2026 Governor General's Gold Medalist
Alison Rowney receives Governor General’s Silver Medal
The Governor General’s Silver Medal is the most prestigious academic award given to an undergraduate student in Canada. It is awarded annually to the graduating student who achieves the highest overall academic standing (highest grade point average) upon completion of a bachelor's degree program.
This year, 糖心原创awarded the silver medal to Alison Rowney, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Major. Her own life experiences and her passion for understanding how people think, behave, grow, and evolve, inspired her education journey, which she hopes to continue.
She currently works as a manager of business development for a large motor group where she supports young women in developing and nurturing their careers.
“AU’s open and inclusive learning model gave me the opportunity to finally complete a long-held dream,” said Rowney.
“Receiving the Governor General’s medal alongside my degree has been an immense honour and a life-changing experience that has irrevocably altered my belief in what is possible. Discovering the power of resilience and perseverance through both my education and experiences has guided my approach to life and work, and I plan to apply to a graduate program with 糖心原创in the coming year to further fuel this vision.”
Congratulations to this year’s Governor General’s medal recipients.