The McCall McBain Foundation has made a gift to provide additional support to the Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology PhD Project (IBET). The grant will ensure the continued success of a range of important program initiatives and will significantly contribute to the growing community of IBET Momentum Fellows.
The IBET PhD Project was launched in 2021 with the aim of increasing the presence of Indigenous and Black academics in STEM across Canada. Participating universities commit to providing fellowships worth $30,000 per year, for four years, to young researchers from underrepresented groups. In addition, IBET fellows receive academic mentoring, networking platforms, and access to a range of events and training opportunities. Through financial support and academic community building, the project is creating a more equitable and inclusive research environment.
The grant from the McCall McBain Foundation will support the IBET Project’s objective of enhancing representation and inclusion. Over the next three years this gift will help fund key aspects of the program including assistance for fellows looking to travel to the annual fall IBET Conference. Money will also go to an honorarium for an Indigenous Elder and cultural competency events designed to enrich the community. In addition, the grant will help safeguard the future of the program by supporting a recruitment event aimed at attracting new IBET Momentum Fellows.
IBET Director and Waterloo chemical engineering professor Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen highlighted the ways in which the pledge will promote networking and collaboration across institutions.
“This grant will support opportunities like the annual conference where fellows can engage with peers, exchange research knowledge, and network with academic and industry leaders”, say Mekonnen. “We will also be able to facilitate additional cultural competency events where fellows can gain valuable insight from professionals.”
By reducing financial barriers for PhD fellows IBET aims to build a doctoral and professional journey that is more equitable for Indigenous and Black students. The McCall McBain Foundation grant will play a vital role in sustaining this work.
Go to IBET PhD Project to learn more.
Monday, January 15, 2024 in EDI, Graduate Studies
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