Bow Valley College is proud of our role in educating the next generation of employees, employers, and changemakers. We are thrilled to announce a new Women Pivoting in Tech bursary, a  program made possible thanks to generous support from the Government of Alberta through a Ministry of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation grant. The College will receive $400,000 to fund the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) bursaries. The Women Pivoting in Tech bursary funded through this grant will cover tuition and will also help offset other costs such as technology, childcare, and basic expenses.

“The day-to-day expenses are often what hold women back when they consider pursuing higher education,” says Lynn Connell, Director of Student Services, and Registrar, Bow Valley College. “Making that rent payment, buying that bus pass, and hiring a babysitter are all considerations for them. These bursaries will lift some of their financial worries so they can concentrate on classes.”

Bow Valley College’s School of Technology offers innovative diploma and post-diploma programs that offer a pathway to early- to mid-career opportunities for Albertans in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, information technology systems, and software development, with a goal of continually growing our offerings to meet industry demands. Our College is proud that more than 70 per cent of our students are women, many of whom are in equity seeking groups with limited access to education, including in the STEM field. 

“Bow Valley College is honoured to support many exceptional women with its new Women Pivoting in Tech bursary program,” notes Dr. Misheck Mwaba, Bow Valley College President and CEO. “Reskilling and upskilling female students in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other STEM professions will be critical to Alberta’s new digital economy.” 

Bow Valley College is committed to helping Albertans secure employment and we work to provide the skilled workforce the province requires in emerging fields such as technology, innovation, and the creative industries. These emerging fields, and the students who graduate from them, will help shape the future of our province and our economy. We are proud to support Women in STEM and look forward to helping countless women change their lives and drive our economy forward. 

Access to an education is the greatest agent of social change, and we are proud to be able to provide the funding to make that happen for our students now and in the future. Many of our students come to us to pivot their careers and make a change in their lives. 

“Prioritizing an education can weigh heavy on one’s mind when you have a family to support and look after and need to make rent or mortgage payments,” notes Dr. Mwaba about the challenges facing our students. “These bursaries will give each recipient the confidence and reassurance they need to embark on this life-changing venture without the financial barriers that prevent so many women from taking that leap.”

Thank you to the Government of Alberta, the Ministry of Advanced Education, and the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation for partnering with us to ensure that women have access to the funds they need to make their mark in STEM fields. With this help we can continue to open doors and open minds for our students.