(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS, BC – Thompson Rivers University is excited to announce its largest corporate donation this year. The Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP) is gifting the university $500,000 to go toward bursaries for students in trades, social work, human service, research and environmental science.

The announcement was made at the TRU Foundation Awards ceremony, which highlighted a commitment made in April of 2015, when the university and Trans Mountain signed a Community Benefit Agreement. That agreement called for a contribution of $500,000 to go toward the previously mentioned programs of study.

“This investment by Trans Mountain Expansion Project will support endowments in a wide range of programs and aligns with TRU’s commitment to student success and increasing research capacity. The awards created through these endowments will provide student awards in perpetuity. Industry is an important part of our economy and our community and this will set up future generations for success,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Alan Shaver.

The Community Benefit Agreement Program is a commitment by Trans Mountain to invest in communities that might be impacted by construction in the project corridor. The company recognizes its project could result in training opportunities, which is why it is supporting students in trades, technology and environmental programs.

“We have built a strong partnership with TRU throughout our many years of working together on education programs and community initiatives,” said Hugh Harden, Chief Operating Officer, Kinder Morgan Canada Limited. “As part of our Community Benefit Program, which aims to provide direct benefits to local communities along our pipeline, we are very proud to invest in education and training opportunities for students in B.C’s Interior.”

The contribution breaks down as follows:

School of Trades and Technology: $200,000 in bursaries

• $10,000 granted annually in amounts of $1,000 to $4,000, based on financial need and GPA
• Full-time students enrolled in Foundation Trades in instrumentation, electrical, heavy duty mechanic, pipefitting and welding
• Preference given to students from Trans Mountain Pipeline communities

Faculty of Education and Social Work: $100,000 in bursaries

• $5,000 granted annually in amounts of $2,500 to two students, based on financial need and GPA
• Full-time students enrolled in TRU’s Faculty of Education and Social Work studying social work or human service
• Preference given to a single-parent student, and/or someone from a rural community planning to return to work in a rural area post-graduation

Faculty of Science Applied Research: $100,000 in bursaries

• $5,000 granted annually in amounts of  $2,500, based on financial need and GPA
• Full-time undergrad students enrolled in TRU’s Faculty of Science, studying in the area of applied research in math, computers, physical science or engineering
• Preference given to students with a focus in applied mathematics and from Trans Mountain Pipeline communities

Faculty of Science: $100,000

• $5,000 awarded annually based on financial need and GPA
• Full-time graduate students enrolled in TRU’s Faculty of Science, specifically studying environmental science
• Preference given to students with a focus in environmental reclamation and from Trans Mountain Pipeline communities

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