Huge lectures halls, stressful courses, and feeling alone at a massive college or university is a stressful prospect for anyone. For students fresh out of high school it can be scary. For someone who has been in the workforce for a few years, it can be overwhelming. Support is essential, especially when a student is considering more challenging disciplines.
The Conference Board of Canada states that while Indigenous people make up over four per cent of Canada’s population, only about two per cent work in fields focused on science, technology, engineering, and math, known as STEM. The Board goes on to say that improving Indigenous participation and leadership in major economic sectors, such as science, technology, and finance, is an important part of the reconciliation journey.
Donations from EPCOR to the University of Alberta’s Transition Year Program (TYP) are helping address some of these issues. The three-year, $130,000 investment allows the university’s First Peoples’ House to create inclusive, supportive learning environments for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) students, specifically for those pursing degrees in STEM-related fields.