A career celebrated at home and abroad
Over more than five decades, Lot has received well over 45 major awards from Canada and around the world. The ones below are among the most meaningful — but they only tell part of the story.
The highest honours
Officer of the Order of Canada
Canada's second-highest civilian honour, awarded by the Governor General "for his fundamental contributions to the fields of electromagnetics and antenna and satellite development, which have led to renowned advancements in the telecommunications industry."
Order of Manitoba
Manitoba's highest provincial honour, awarded by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville at a formal investiture ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building on July 16, 2026. The official citation recognizes that Lot has established Manitoba as a centre of excellence and innovation in satellite and wireless communications, antennas and electromagnetics. As professor and founding director of the Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory at the University of Manitoba, his research has had a profound impact on spacecraft technology, remote sensing, and the electromagnetic mapping of Arctic sea ice. Members of the Order of Manitoba are entitled to use the initials O.M. after their names for life.
Winnipeg Citizens Hall of Fame
Lot was the 50th person ever inducted into the Winnipeg Citizens Hall of Fame. A sculpture of his likeness, created by artist Madeleine Vrignon, is displayed in Assiniboine Park alongside those of Terry Fox, Carol Shields, and Justice Murray Sinclair.
Killam Prize in Engineering
Awarded by the Canada Council for the Arts, this is the highest honour an engineer can receive in Canada. It recognized Lot's outstanding career achievements and his pioneering research on antennas.
Booker Gold Medal
Awarded by the International Union of Radio Science for his contributions to antenna miniaturization and satellite terminals — a global honour in his field.
Outstanding Immigrant of the Millennium
Recognized by the Canadian Human Rights and Race Relations organization for his contributions to Canada as an immigrant.
From the IEEE
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is the world's largest technical professional organization.
- Named in his honour The Lot Shafai Mid-Career Distinguished Achievement Award Established by the IEEE, given to promising mid-career researchers in antennas and propagation.
- 2018 Distinguished Achievement Award IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society.
- 2013 John Kraus Antenna Award For breakthrough work in antenna design.
- 2009 Chen-To Tai Distinguished Educator Award For his impact as a teacher and mentor to students around the world.
- 2007 Life Fellow Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
- 2003 Reginald A. Fessenden Medal For outstanding contributions to telecommunications and satellite communications.
- 2000 IEEE Third Millennium Medal
Other major recognitions
- 2009 Fellow, Engineering Institute of Canada
- 2003 NSERC Synergy Award For research partnerships between universities and industry.
- 2002 Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering
- 1999 Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Innovation of the Year Award
- 1999 Professional Engineers of Manitoba Engineering Achievement Award
- 1998 R.H. Institute Foundation Medal of Excellence The University of Manitoba's highest research honour.
- 1998 Life Fellow, Royal Society of Canada
A legacy of mentorship
Among all his honours, the one Lot often speaks of most warmly isn't a medal at all — it's the success of his former students. Many have gone on to distinguished careers of their own — full circle moments that mean a great deal to him.