A 2026 CHCCS/SCDHM Achievement Award of the Canadian Human-Computer Communications Society is presented to Prof. Faramarz Samavati for his sustained creative contributions to computer graphics, modeling, visualization, and education.
Faramarz has made significant contributions along three major axes: sketch-based interaction and modeling, Digital Earth, and parametric curves and surfaces. He is a central contributor to sketch-based interaction and modeling: his 2009 Computer & Graphics article “Sketch-Based Modeling: A Survey” and his 2010 book co-edited with Joaquim Jorge Sketch-Based Interfaces and Modeling has served as a core reference for the field for almost two decades. More recently, his work addresses fundamental representations for the Digital Earth. His Discrete Global Grid System (DGGS) is a cornerstone of efficiency, multi-resolution, memory-aware footprint, and flexibility for massive geo-referenced datasets for applications including remote sensing, geography, and agriculture. These and other contributions are built on a strong mathematical basis established through his insights into multi-resolution parametric curves and surfaces, including his fundamental reverse subdivision rules.
Faramarz holds a doctorate in Mathematical and Computer Science from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. His dissertation research was recognized with the Kharazmi Award for Best PhD Thesis in Basic Sciences in Iran, the Mehr-Abadi Award for Best Young Researcher at his university, and the Best Thesis Award in his department. His career in Canada started in 1997-1998 as a visiting research scholar in the Computer Graphics Laboratory at the University of Waterloo.
His research has been supported by multiple agencies, including Mitacs Accelerate, NSERC Alliance, Discovery, CRD, and Engage, New Frontiers, and the GRAND NCE, where he played a leadership role. His research has been recognized with a large number of awards, including a Mitacs Innovation Award for Outstanding Research Leadership (2025) for his work on DGGS, a University of Calgary Established Career Scholarship Excellence Award (2020), an ASTech Finalist for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology (2017), a Peak Scholar Award (2014), and a Digital Alberta Award (2013). His research publications have won multiple awards, including a Digital Alberta Award in 2013 for his work on sketching, as well as numerous Best Paper Awards at Expressive 2017, Cyberworlds 2015 and 2014, IEEE CG&A 2011, and CGI 2011.
Faramarz has been a professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary since 2001, where he has served as Associate Head of Graduate Affairs and as Graduate Director.
A major contribution of Prof. Samavati to computer science in Canada and beyond comes from his dedication to teaching and training the next generation of scientists in computer graphics. He has provided dedicated supervision and mentorship at all levels to his 4 post-doctoral fellows, 18 doctoral students, 49 master’s students, and 33 bachelor’s students. Unsurprisingly, he has received numerous teaching awards and nominations from his fellow professors and former students. His supervision has been recognized by a Great Supervisor Award, a Graduate Supervision Excellence Award, an Outstanding Achievement in Supervision Award, and a nomination for a Killam Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Award. His classroom teaching has been recognized by a Teaching Award and an Excellence in Teaching Award.
Prof. Samavati’s has actively participated on program committees and editorial boards of the major forums in computer graphics, including co-chairing Graphics Interface 2013 and chairing the 2009 ACM/Eurographics Symposium on Sketch-Based Modeling and Interaction for which he received an ACM Recognition Service Award. He has served as editor, guest editor, and topic editor for multiple journals on geo-information, remote sensing, and Digital Earth.
