As we celebrate and recognize Black History Month, Assiniboine is pleased to officially launch the Ignite bursary. The bursary is designed to support Black Canadian students with financial need. The Ignite bursary is among the college’s commitments to foster diversity and inclusion, recognizing the importance of Black History Month, and supporting the growing Black population in Manitoba.
The bursary was made possible through the proceeds generated from Assiniboine Community College’s 2023 Foundation Legacy Gala Dinner, held annually at the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts.
“Assiniboine recognizes the importance of Black History Month, the legacy and the future of Black Canadians. This fund and the financial support for students that it will provide is one important step toward supporting Black excellence,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine.
There was a more than 57 percent growth in the Black population in Manitoba from 2015 to 2019, with a 132 percent growth in Southwest Manitoba and 97 percent growth in Brandon during that time.
The bursary aims to address the needs of Black Canadian students pursuing higher education and will foster an environment that celebrates diversity and ensures equitable opportunities for all.
To be eligible for the $2,000 award, applicants must self-identify as Black Canadian and have a demonstrated financial need.
In recent years the Legacy Gala has given proceeds to financial support for Mature Student High School students (2017), Indigenous students (2018), Early Childhood Education students (2019), emergency student needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and students in healthcare programs (2022).
To learn more about the Ignite bursary and how you can apply visit assiniboine.net/awards.
About Assiniboine Community College
Assiniboine Community College has been providing exceptional learning experiences for more than 60 years, offering unparalleled learning environments and responding to the demands and requirements of the Manitoba labour market. Following the philosophy of “learn by doing,” programs combine theory with hands-on learning inside classrooms, labs, kitchens, shops, fields and the college’s Sustainable Greenhouse.
Assiniboine offers more than 60 certificate, diploma and post-graduate programs across a variety of disciplines including culinary arts and hospitality, business, agriculture and environment, health and human services, and trades and technology. The college also delivers apprenticeship programming in a range of skilled trades disciplines.
The college welcomed more than 3,700 full-time and 6,000 part-time students last year. With campuses in Brandon, Dauphin, Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie, Assiniboine provides comprehensive educational opportunities throughout Manitoba. The college also partners with many communities and organizations across the province to deliver customized education and training. Assiniboine’s annual provincial economic impact is $612 million. In the most recent survey of graduates, nine months after graduation, 94 per cent were employed, with 94 per cent remaining in Manitoba.
Assiniboine Community College campuses are located on the traditional territories of Treaty No. 1 and Treaty No. 2, the shared traditional lands of Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and Anishinabek/Ojibwe peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge their welcome to the students who seek knowledge here.
For more information, please contact:
Shaun Cameron
Communications Specialist
Assiniboine Community College
camerons2@assiniboine.net
204.725.8700 ext 6617
assiniboine.net