WATERLOO, Ont. (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) - There are more opportunities for Aboriginal students with today’s grand opening of the new Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre at St. Paul’s University College at the University of Waterloo.

The new centre measures approximately 1,200 square feet and contains multi-purpose seminar and gathering space, a library and computer room, offices for staff and one elder, as well as a kitchen for preparing community meals. Friends and alumni of St. Paul’s contributed $300,000 to the project. The Government of Canada provided $1,090,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund.

“I’m pleased that our government contributed more than $1 million towards this new Aboriginal Education Centre,” said Peter Braid, member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo. “This centre will help to provide Aboriginal students with the education and training they need to realize their full potential in the southern Ontario workforce.”

“We welcome any chance to give our students the tools they need to succeed,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president & vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “Thanks to support from the federal government, this new facility will help Aboriginal students overcome challenges they may face in advancing their education.”

St. Paul’s University College is the designated provider of Aboriginal education initiatives at Waterloo. It has developed programming to help address many of the obstacles facing Aboriginal students as well assist them in achieving some common goals.

“St. Paul’s and Waterloo are positioning to play a major role in the education of the fastest growing youth demographic in Canada: Aboriginal youth,” said Graham Brown, principal of St. Paul’s.

The university currently has more than 100 students who declare Aboriginal ancestry. The new centre provides student advising, cultural counselling and a general gathering space for Aboriginal students, faculty and staff. Cultural events and Native Studies courses raise awareness among the university community about Aboriginal history and traditions. A program for Aboriginal high school students builds personal commitment and skills for completing high school and enrolling in a post-secondary program.

About St. Paul’s University College

St. Paul’s is a university college formally affiliated with University of Waterloo. It was founded by local members of the United Church of Canada, Waterloo Presbytery, in 1962 at the invitation of the university and is located on its main campus. Its mission is to educate students for responsible problem solving, to be knowledgeable and respectful of other cultures and to view service to others as a key mark of the well-educated person. The college shares delivery of the International Development honours program, teaches world religions, Buddhism and Native Studies courses. St. Paul’s is home to 200 undergraduate and 115 graduate students of the university who are diverse in background, represent many nationalities and are studying a wide variety of academic disciplines. For more information, please visit www.stpauls.uwaterloo.ca.

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