The University of Alberta (Canada) has just announced that Derek Walcott has agreed to join its faculty on a part-time basis for the next three years. The Nobel Prize winner will spend six weeks on campus each year. “This is an example of the power of the U of A, to be able to attract individuals of this calibre to come and inspire our students and our faculty to dream big and aim higher,” remarked the university’s president, Indira Samarasekera.

Walcott will begin his tenure as the university’s first distinguished scholar in residence this coming fall, teaching poetry and playwriting and mentoring staff and students.

The University of Alberta has just marked its 100^th anniversary.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/News/Nobel+poet+teach/1521742/story.html