On Tuesday, June 4, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) presented a gift of $1.75 million to the University of Waterloo in support of the Waterloo Institute's RBC Water Scholars program.
The University of Waterloo has a long and proud history of interdisciplinary, innovative water research, said President Hamdullahpur during his remarks at the announcement. We are here today because our partners at RBC share our belief in the importance of water research and preservation.
The RBC Blue Water Project is the financial services giants nation-wide water research and preservation initiative, valued at $50 million and running over 10 years. The Blue Water Project is designed specifically to help organizations such as the Water Institute. The national program will fund over 120 masters and PhD student scholarships across Canada, fund fellowships for visiting professors, and will help enable an annual graduate student symposium.
University of Waterloo President Feridun Hamdullahpur speaking at the RBC donation announcement. Photo Credit: Winnie Giang, Communications Public Affairs
"The University of Waterloo is a place where meaningful, often transformational innovation is built into its DNA," said Dave McKay, group head of personal and commercial banking at RBC and vice-chair of the University of Waterloo Board of Governors in delivering the announcement. “As a former student and now a member of the Board of Governors, I have been a first-hand witness to the remarkable work of this institution, and the Water Institute is no exception. It’s a sincere honour for RBC to support the University of Waterloo in its stewardship of the world’s most precious natural resource. "
The University of Waterloo's Water Institute is an interdisciplinary hub that facilitates innovative research, education, and training. The Institute's activities focus on the sustainable use and management of water resources both nationally and internationally to support healthy and prosperous communities and ecosystems.
Learn more about the Water Institute and read the news release from the day’s announcement.
RBC executive Dave McKay and Feridun Hamdullahpur at the cheque presentation. Photo Credit: Winnie Giang, Communications & Public Affairs