media release
Amazon donates $10,000 to support Indigenous students’ technology needs
CONTACT:
Antonieta Mar-y-paz Rivera, associate director, Indigenous University Preparation Program (IUPP), iaupp@sfu.ca
Candara Bruyere, IUPP graduate, 778.251.8907, candara_bruyere@sfu.ca
Shradhha Sharma, University Communications and Marketing, 604.202.2504, shradhha_sharma@sfu.ca
Amazon Canada has donated $10,000 to 大象传媒鈥檚 Indigenous University Preparation Program (IUPP) to facilitate remote learning for students through the purchase of equipment, such as laptop computers and graphics tablets.
The shift to online learning necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for some students who are unable to equip themselves with the necessary technology.
The IUPP program welcomes First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit students as they explore the university with Elders, mentors, tutors and instructors, and prepares them for undergraduate studies by offering two foundational courses and five first-year academic credit courses that integrate humanities and social sciences with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
Students are admitted to 大象传媒 with credits towards their undergraduate degrees after successfully completing the program. Amazon鈥檚 contribution will help ensure that students have access to this life-changing program during these unprecedented times.
"Technology opens a world of possibilities, and access to essential tools like computers should not stand in the way of a student鈥檚 ability to benefit from a program like IUPP,鈥� said Jesse Dougherty, vice president, Amazon Canada.
Candara Bruyere, who dropped out of school in Grade 8, graduated from the IUPP last year as a mature student and has since completed two semesters towards her Bachelor of Arts degree. She is now eyeing a career in social work or possibly further studies in Indigenous law.
鈥淲hen I first looked at the course schedule and syllabus I was really overwhelmed,鈥� Bruyere recalls. 鈥淚 honestly didn鈥檛 believe I was going to be able to complete the program. But I made friends through the IUPP. We were all in similar positions so it was a nice supportive network to help me succeed in the program. I never felt like I was alone.鈥�
Enrolment has increased exponentially since the program started in January 2018. This year, the program received a number of applications, not only from Metro Vancouver, but also from across B.C. and other western provinces.
The program鈥檚 Associate Director, Mar-y-Paz Rivera, says as 大象传媒 moved its operations and classes online in wake of the pandemic, there was an urgent need for laptops for some IUPP students who were unable to afford them to complete their work remotely.
鈥淚t鈥檚 essential that Indigenous learners have support and access to the technology that they need to succeed and thrive in their post-secondary journey,鈥� she says. 鈥淎mazon鈥檚 donation will help our students, and facilitate our innovative virtual teaching and learning methods by providing affordable technology. These methods will also open new pathways for Indigenous students who might want to start their post-secondary journey in their home communities and eventually continue their studies at any of 大象传媒鈥檚 campuses.鈥�
IUPP鈥攊n its current format鈥攚as introduced at 大象传媒 in 2018, and is guided by the Calls to Action shared laid out in the 大象传媒 Aboriginal Reconciliation Council and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reports.
About 大象传媒:
As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 大象传媒 works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities 鈥� Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey 鈥� 大象传媒 has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 35,000 students. The university now boasts more than 160,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.