Waterloo Engineering is the first beneficiary of a $1.8-million fund launched by GM Canada today to encourage students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Announced at the official opening of the car company’s new Canadian Technical Centre for software development in Markham, the GM Canada STEM Fund will provide $200,000 for scholarships for engineering master’s students at Waterloo.
“The University of Waterloo is proud to have GM Canada as a committed industry and research partner supporting Canada’s top engineering talent at Waterloo from scholarships to co-op job placements,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University.
Pearl Sullivan, dean of Waterloo Engineering, speaks at the announcement event as Steve Carlisle of GM Canada looks on.
The GM fund will build on the success of past programs to introduce elementary and high school students, particularly girls, to STEM subjects through hands-on programs across the country.
It will also help young researchers study at the post-secondary level through a series of new scholarships at leading universities. The GM Canada Innovators Award at Waterloo is the first of those scholarships.
Citing the strong, diverse, ongoing relationship Waterloo Engineering already has with GM, dean of engineering Pearl Sullivan said the “generous donation will ensure we continue to cultivate an ecosystem of higher learners who will advance impactful solutions for real-world challenges.”
The new centre in Markham will have a staff of more than 700 and leverage partnerships with universities and local companies. It will focus on software development and innovation in next-generation active safety, in-car infotainment systems, and software and controls related to self-driving vehicles.
“General Motors is redefining mobility and focused on realizing our vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” said Steve Carlisle, president and managing director of GM Canada. “We believe that to realize this vision, we will need to support far greater participation in STEM.”