When Queen’s hosted the Canadian Higher Education IT (CANHEIT) conference in June 2017, it brought together hundreds of delegates from universities across Canada to discuss the sector’s leading issues including digital strategy, security, privacy, and copyright.

Hosting the event was also an opportunity for Queen’s to show off the campus, facilities and student living and learning environment.

Adding to the positives, the organizing committee recently donated more than $43,000 to the Queen’s University Student Financial Assistance Bursary, a support program for students in financial need.

“The organizing committee chose this fund because it is campus-wide, and helps a wide variety of students who would otherwise face financial struggle in attending Queen’s,” says Stephen Hunt, Director (IT) for the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and the CANHEIT 2017 steering committee chair. “The organizers and volunteers should be proud that not only were we able to host a very successful conference but we also are contributing in a meaningful and long-term way to our students.”

The Queen’s University Student Financial Assistance endowment fund was established to provide student financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students in all of the university’s faculties and schools. The fund supports students who demonstrate a financial need.

“We very much appreciate CANHEIT’s generous donation, which will go to direct support for our students,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “There are many students at Queen’s with financial need who benefit from donor support. These awards help ensure students have the funds required to stay in their programs and complete their degrees. This is a very meaningful donation.”

The university disburses approximately $15 million per year in need-based bursaries to assist current students in meeting their tuition, fees and basic living expenses.

Learn more about Student Financial Aid at Queen’s.