Fidelity Investments Canada gift advances cybersecurity research and student success at Ontario Tech

Ontario Tech University has received a $100,000 gift from Fidelity Investments Canada ULC to strengthen research addressing growing digital risks and prepare students for a secure, technology-driven future.

The gift will provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students in the university’s Faculty of Business and Information Technology (FBIT) while supporting cybersecurity research through the university’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Resilient Systems (ICRS).

The contribution includes:

• $30,000 for undergraduate scholarships in select business and IT programs, providing a total of $60,000 in Fidelity Investments Canada Scholarships through the university’s undergraduate scholarship matching program.
• $20,000 for graduate scholarships in select business and IT programs, providing four $5,000 Fidelity Investments Canada Graduate Scholarships.
• $50,000 for ICRS to advance research and create structured, research-based learning opportunities for students in fintech cybersecurity.

ICRS brings together researchers, students and partners to address cybersecurity challenges facing businesses and communities. Its multidisciplinary work combines technological innovation with legal, ethical and social perspectives, with research focused on bolstering policies, system reliability and data protection as digital risks evolve.

“Cybersecurity is increasingly a business and societal challenge as well as a technical one,” says Dr. Carolyn McGregor AM, Dean, FBIT. “This gift will strengthen research that helps organizations respond to evolving digital risks while creating meaningful opportunities for students to build the knowledge and skills they need for a technology-driven future.”

“Thanks to the Fidelity Investments Scholarship, I can focus on my education and make the most of this opportunity to learn and grow," says Aidan Waddell, third-year Networking and IT Security student.

The gift builds on Fidelity Investments Canada’s broader relationship with Ontario Tech, including participation in corporate training, co-op and internship opportunities for students, and sponsorship of Ontario Tech Community Day.

“We’re very proud to be expanding our work with Ontario Tech and continuing to support these incredibly talented students working toward in-demand careers in cybersecurity and tech,” says Rob Strickland, Head of Fidelity Canada. “In a cybersecurity environment that changes by the day, investing in students and research now will help build a stronger workforce and more secure future for Ontario and beyond.”

The gift contributes to the university’s Tech with a Conscience campaign by supporting cybersecurity research that responds to a rapidly evolving digital world while creating more opportunities for students to pursue their education.