 In that capacity, he worked with like-minded individuals to help increase public awareness of the importance of innovation and innovators to the economy and to society.He also created and funds a number of scholarships and bursaries annually at various high schools to recognize outstanding students who overcome adversities to achieve excellence while at the same time helping others, and to advance public education.McEwen was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contribution to biomedical engineering as an inventor and entrepreneur, in December 2011.