Paper Excellence has partnered with Vancouver Island University (VIU) to create a new scholarship fund that aims to financially support Indigenous students enrolled in trades programs at VIU. Paper Excellence has contributed $60,000 to the fund, which will be distributed over three years.
“On behalf of Paper Excellence, we are very excited to be working with VIU on the Paper Excellence Indigenous Success Fund to support Indigenous students in British Columbia,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President, EHS & Corporate Communications for Paper Excellence. “It’s our pleasure to help make the experience at VIU just a little bit easier financially and want to wish the recipients of the fund all the best in their studies and future careers.”
Indigenous trades students will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 each academic year through the fund, which began disbursements to students in January 2022.
“VIU thanks Paper Excellence for this generous gift. This gift will support students who are on the verge of not being able to continue their studies due to financial constraints. Paper Excellence is supporting students when they need it the most,” said Richard Horbachewski, Executive Director of the VIU Foundation. “These scholarships offer support in a timely and effective manner, so students don’t have to put their dreams on pause when personal circumstances throw barriers in their path.”
DONATION TO COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENT BURSARIES
The company also announced that it has donated a total of $10,000 towards two separate bursary funds that support Indigenous students at the College of the Rockies (COTR). Paper Excellence has provided $5,000 towards the Agnes McCoy Memorial Bursary, and $5,000 to the Engineers Canada Indigenous Access to Engineering Bursary.
“On behalf of Paper Excellence, it’s a real privilege to support these two bursary programs at College of the Rockies and the students that will benefit as a result,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President EHS & Corporate Communications for Paper Excellence.
