A generous gift that created the TELUS Nursing Awards and TELUS Business Awards builds on the corporation’s 28-year history of giving in support of MacEwan University students. The $100,000 donation will provide financial awards for 10 qualifying students – five each from the School of Business and Faculty of Nursing – every year for the next five years.
“We’re very grateful for this outstanding gift from TELUS, which is really an investment in students at MacEwan,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor. “Supporting students opens up a world of possibilities – for themselves and for those around them. It’s not just about covering tuition or making rent – it helps lift students up, to feel seen and better able to reach their full potential.”
Both awards are presented to students who demonstrate volunteerism and community involvement, and priority is given to students who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC communities.
Chika Dike, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing program, was among the awards’ first recipients. The mother of three is a volunteer with the Igbo Cultural Association and had been working with people with disabilities for five years before pursuing nursing as a way to support her patients to achieve a better quality of life.
“The TELUS Nursing Award served as encouragement when I needed it most,” she says. “As a very busy mum, I have constant financial responsibilities and have seen the price of our basic household needs double. The funds from the award went to support my family and community, reduced my stress and gave me more time to study – my GPA this term was better than ever.”
Dike is a perfect example of the impact these awards have on students’ lives – students who are positioned to one day become leaders in their fields.
“We’re delighted to continue our relationship with MacEwan by supporting these students, whose diverse perspectives and hands-on learning will help them become future leaders in business and nursing,” said Zainul Mawji, executive vice-president, TELUS, and president, Consumer Solutions. “As TELUS continues on our mission to drive social change and enable remarkable outcomes, we look forward to welcoming a new generation of innovators in these fields.”