Frank McKenna announces $250,000 TD Bank Financial Group donation to UOIT
April 10, 2007
OSHAWA, Ont. - A $250,000 donation by TD Bank Financial Group to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) was announced today by the bank's Deputy Chair, Frank McKenna.
The donation will establish the TD Bank Financial Group Graduate Scholarship, which will provide $5,000 annually to qualified full-time UOIT students in financial need beginning in the 2007-2008 academic year. The donation qualifies for matching funds under the provincial government's Ontario Trust for Student Support, creating a total endowment of $500,000.
McKenna, a former premier of New Brunswick and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., was on campus to deliver a speech to students about the critical role education plays in enhancing Canada's standard of living and quality of life. UOIT faculty and staff also sat in on the lecture, as did Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT.
"I'd like to extend UOIT's sincere thanks to Mr. McKenna for sharing his educated advice with our students and thank TD Bank Financial Group for its very generous donation," said
Dr. Bordessa. "UOIT is continually working with business and industry partners to establish graduate programs that deliver career-oriented skills that meet the needs of today's knowledge-driven economy. This endowment will ensure that more students than ever are presented with a truly unique opportunity to pursue graduate studies in areas that will put them in demand well into the future."
Among UOIT's graduate programs are Master's in Information Technology Security, Mechanical Engineering, Modelling and Computational Science, and Electrical Engineering. The Master of Information Technology Security program is the first of its kind in Canada and one of the few specialized IT security graduate degrees available in the world. Through theory and applied learning, the program enables students to develop an extensive understanding of business and information technology security, while polishing communication skills and examining business and IT ethics in a team environment.
More and more leading national and international organizations are investing in UOIT because of its academically challenging learning environment. Students are provided with invaluable hands-on research experience and exposure to high-tech laptop-based learning that allows them to connect with their professors and peers at any time and from anywhere. In addition, UOIT's professors are experts in their fields from around the globe, collectively speaking 20 languages and holding degrees from 20 countries.
All this means that upon graduation, UOIT students will take their places as the next-generation engineers, scientists, IT security specialists, and health-care practitioners who use innovative thinking, critical analysis and real solutions to make a difference in the world.
"An educated society is a prosperous society," said McKenna. "It is the cornerstone to our knowledge economy, and as such must be viewed as a strategic investment, for both individuals attending school and governments funding them. TD also takes this view, and is pleased to support students who are developing real-world skills at UOIT."
About UOIT
As the province's newest university, UOIT provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, social science, and education. The university is committed to research excellence and has attracted significant research grants and awards including five Canada Research Chairs. Sharing facilities and selected services with Durham College, UOIT has attracted over 4,000 students since its inception in 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
Making a Difference Together: About TD Community Giving
TD Bank Financial Group focuses its community giving on children's health, literacy and education and the environment. The major flagship programs within these areas are: TD Children's Hospital Fund, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, TD Canadian Children's Book Week, TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership, and the TD Summer Reading Club. In addition, through the support of our customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national, regional and local programs in support of diversity, arts and culture and other causes. In 2006, TD donated $33 million to more than 1,600 charities and not-for-profit organizations across Canada.
The donation will establish the TD Bank Financial Group Graduate Scholarship, which will provide $5,000 annually to qualified full-time UOIT students in financial need beginning in the 2007-2008 academic year. The donation qualifies for matching funds under the provincial government's Ontario Trust for Student Support, creating a total endowment of $500,000.
McKenna, a former premier of New Brunswick and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., was on campus to deliver a speech to students about the critical role education plays in enhancing Canada's standard of living and quality of life. UOIT faculty and staff also sat in on the lecture, as did Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT.
"I'd like to extend UOIT's sincere thanks to Mr. McKenna for sharing his educated advice with our students and thank TD Bank Financial Group for its very generous donation," said
Dr. Bordessa. "UOIT is continually working with business and industry partners to establish graduate programs that deliver career-oriented skills that meet the needs of today's knowledge-driven economy. This endowment will ensure that more students than ever are presented with a truly unique opportunity to pursue graduate studies in areas that will put them in demand well into the future."
Among UOIT's graduate programs are Master's in Information Technology Security, Mechanical Engineering, Modelling and Computational Science, and Electrical Engineering. The Master of Information Technology Security program is the first of its kind in Canada and one of the few specialized IT security graduate degrees available in the world. Through theory and applied learning, the program enables students to develop an extensive understanding of business and information technology security, while polishing communication skills and examining business and IT ethics in a team environment.
More and more leading national and international organizations are investing in UOIT because of its academically challenging learning environment. Students are provided with invaluable hands-on research experience and exposure to high-tech laptop-based learning that allows them to connect with their professors and peers at any time and from anywhere. In addition, UOIT's professors are experts in their fields from around the globe, collectively speaking 20 languages and holding degrees from 20 countries.
All this means that upon graduation, UOIT students will take their places as the next-generation engineers, scientists, IT security specialists, and health-care practitioners who use innovative thinking, critical analysis and real solutions to make a difference in the world.
"An educated society is a prosperous society," said McKenna. "It is the cornerstone to our knowledge economy, and as such must be viewed as a strategic investment, for both individuals attending school and governments funding them. TD also takes this view, and is pleased to support students who are developing real-world skills at UOIT."
About UOIT
As the province's newest university, UOIT provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, social science, and education. The university is committed to research excellence and has attracted significant research grants and awards including five Canada Research Chairs. Sharing facilities and selected services with Durham College, UOIT has attracted over 4,000 students since its inception in 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
Making a Difference Together: About TD Community Giving
TD Bank Financial Group focuses its community giving on children's health, literacy and education and the environment. The major flagship programs within these areas are: TD Children's Hospital Fund, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, TD Canadian Children's Book Week, TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership, and the TD Summer Reading Club. In addition, through the support of our customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national, regional and local programs in support of diversity, arts and culture and other causes. In 2006, TD donated $33 million to more than 1,600 charities and not-for-profit organizations across Canada.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Tony Doyle
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@uoit.ca
