The Canada Hungary Educational Foundation would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Leslie Dan, a member of its national Advisory Board, on being awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and to philanthropy.
November 25th 2010
By Eva Hegyi
On October 15th 2010, the world-famous pharmacist and businessman Leslie Dan was among four distinguished leaders in public service, business, health care and philanthropy to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from York University’s Kellog-Schulich Executive MBA Program in Toronto.
Leslie Dan was born in Budapest in 1929 and arrived in Canada in 1947 as a Hungarian war refugee. He came to Canada without a family, with little money and poor knowledge of the English language. Through determination, hard work and study, he became a driving force both in the Canadian economy and internationally.
In 1965, among his many business achievements, he established Novopharm, one of Canada’s largest generic drug manufacturers. Among his many other initiatives he founded and chaired the Canadian Drug Manufacturers Association to represent Canadian-owned pharmaceutical manufacturers. Dan is not only a recognised entrepreneur but also a well-known philanthropist. In 1985, he founded the Canadian Medicine Aid Programme (CAN-MAP), an organisation that provides life-saving medicines and other aid to people in the Third World.
For his many achievements, Dan was made a Member of the Order of Canada and was awarded the Order of Ontario in 1996. At the 2010 Israel Trade Awards ceremony in spring 2010, he received a special Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution in promoting bilateral trade with Israel.
Upon receiving the York University award in October 2010, Dan said it was an “unexpected” honour. “I’m not sure I deserve it but am grateful for the recognition.”
Dr Leslie Dan’s acceptance and Convocation speech to the graduating students can be downloaded from here:
Read Dr Leslie Dan’s Acceptance and Convocation speech
To watch the event and the speech in a live webcast, click HERE.