Foundation Launches Annual Campaign

The Engineering & Geoscience Education Foundation BC (EGEFBC) is launching its annual fundraising campaign with the goal of raising the minimum scholarship award to $5,000, doubling the current average of $2,500.

The EGEFBC awards scholarships and bursaries to aspiring engineers and geoscientists across BC. As education and living costs continue to rise, even the most dedicated students are struggling to make ends meet. Tuition can cost $7,000 – plus lab fees, housing, and basic living expenses.

“For many students, especially those from under-represented communities, rural areas, or families without financial safety nets, filling the financial gap can mean the difference between continuing their studies, or walking away from their dream,” said EGEFBC Board Chair John Clague, P.Geo.

Mehak Parihar, an engineering student at UBC Okanagan and an EGEFBC scholarship recipient, knows about the challenges. “Growing up as immigrants, I witnessed my parents working tremendously hard to provide me with opportunities and freedoms. Their hard work inspired me to aim to fund my tuition on my own through employment and scholarships. Throughout the school year, I was working 20 to 30 hours per week with a full engineering course load, which made it difficult to maintain grades and extracurricular participation.”

Parihar said the scholarship helped ease the financial burdens of being a university student and “served as a reminder that my work and dedication was recognized and honoured. I am incredibly appreciative of the donors and EGEFBC who believed in me and my dreams.”

Investing in the Future of the Professions

“This campaign isn’t just about generosity,” said Clague. “It’s about stewardship, ensuring that our professions remain vibrant, innovative and diverse, for decades to come. Each scholarship is an investment in the next bridge designer, the next climate engineer, the next geoscientist who will keep our communities safe."

“When professionals give, they are not just helping students pay tuition; they are helping them design the future of our province and create a better world for all of us.”

Registrants are encouraged to donate directly to EGEFBC.

Alternatively, registrants can donate to the Foundation and can subscribe to receive news and updates from the organization while completing their annual renewal process. Donations made during annual renewal can be directed to a specific Foundation program or the general fund.

Photo: Mehak Parihar/ Submitted