HSBC BANK CANADA SUPPORTS STUDENTS THROUGH $1.295-MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO THE BOUNDLESS CAMPAIGN
TORONTO – HSBC Bank Canada has contributed almost $1.3 million to the University of Toronto’s Boundless campaign to support three student initiatives, U of T announced today.
“For decades, HSBC Bank Canada has been supporting Canadian students by helping to build a wide range of programs,” said David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement. “In collaboration with U of T, they are fostering a drive for post-secondary education among students in high school, giving a lift to future medical students, and encouraging young women into business leadership positions. HSBC is showing leadership by supporting the next generation of Canadian leaders.”
HSBC Bank Canada is a long-time supporter of the University of Toronto, and has made new donations to three important programs:
- The HSBC Steps to University Program benefits selected high school students who are considered likely to leave high school or not pursue post-secondary education. It allows these students to take a U of T course that will count as a full credit towards a bachelor’s degree. HSBC Bank Canada has contributed $915,000 to this program in the Boundless Campaign.
- The HSBC Future Research Leaders Internships provides funding for undergraduate internships at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. The interns will work alongside renowned scientists in cardiovascular research laboratories. HSBC Bank Canada will donate $300,000 over the next three years to fund the internships.
- The HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards will be granted to a total of four female U of T students over the next four years who demonstrate academic achievement and leadership potential. Hailey Vasyliw, a second-year student in U of T’s Rotman Commerce program, is the first recipient of the award at U of T. HSBC Bank Canada has pledged an $80,000 donation to fund the awards at U of T over a five year period.
“HSBC believes education is a fundamental building block for communities, and we are delighted to support a range of awards and programs at the University of Toronto and at post-secondary institutions across Canada,” said Linda Seymour, Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking, and Regional President, Central and Eastern Canada, HSBC Bank Canada. “For example, the HSBC Steps to University Program helps open the door to higher education for students facing obstacles – with more than 280 Toronto-area high school students completing the program last year.”
The HSBC Steps to University Program is administered in partnership with the Toronto District School Board. Through this program, eligible students – identified by teachers and guidance counsellors at participating high schools – enrol in a course at U of T. Students successfully completing the course will be provided with a full credit towards a bachelor’s degree. More than 2,400 students have participated in the program in the last 20 years. HSBC Bank Canada has supported the program for 11 years.
The HSBC Future Research Leaders Internships program gives select undergraduate students the opportunity to work as part of research teams in a world-renowned cardiac research lab under the guidance of our scientific leaders, cardiologists and surgeons. The next round of internships will have two undergraduate students studying at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in the fall of 2013.
The HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards are given to four female undergraduate students each year at eight top Canadian universities across Canada, beginning in the 2011-2012 academic year and running until 2015-2016. The program aims to address the under-representation of women in top executive positions in major corporations in Canada. Selection is based on academic achievement and leadership potential, and each recipient will receive $10,000 per year for the final two years of their degree.
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 7,200 offices in over 80 countries and territories and assets of US$2,637 billion at 31 March 2012, the HSBC Group is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.
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For more information, please contact:
U of T Media Relations
416-978-0100
media.relations@utoronto.ca
Sharon Wilks
Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs
HSBC Bank Canada
416-868-3878
