Paper Excellence Partners with Vancouver Island University to Create Indigenous Success Fund

Paper Excellence announced today that it has partnered with Vancouver Island University (“VIU”) to create a new scholarship fund that aims to financially support Indigenous students enrolled in trades programs at VIU. Paper Excellence has contributed $60,000 to the fund, which will be distributed over three years.

“On behalf of Paper Excellence, we are very excited to be working with VIU on the Paper Excellence Indigenous Success Fund to support Indigenous students in British Columbia,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President, EHS & Corporate Communications for Paper Excellence. “It’s our pleasure to help make the experience at VIU just a little bit easier financially and want to wish the recipients of the fund all the best in their studies and future careers.”

Indigenous trades students will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 each academic year through the fund, which began disbursements to students in January 2022.

“VIU thanks Paper Excellence for this generous gift. This gift will support students who are on the verge of not being able to continue their studies due to financial constraints. Paper Excellence is supporting students when they need it the most,” said Richard Horbachewski, Executive Director of the VIU Foundation. “These scholarships offer support in a timely and effective manner, so students don’t have to put their dreams on pause when personal circumstances throw barriers in their path.”

The Paper Excellence Indigenous Success Fund at VIU is one of several scholarship and bursary funds Paper Excellence has supported at post-secondary institutions around Canada, along with similar partnerships at College of the Rockies, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology.

About Paper Excellence

Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers. The company operates seven mills and a large-scale cargo distribution centre in Canada producing and shipping over 2.8 million tonnes annually with a workforce of more than 2,800. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.

About Vancouver Island University

Vancouver Island University (“VIU”), located on the west coast of Canada, is one of Canada’s most inclusive universities. We place students and communities at the centre of our work, recognizing that education is a key determinant of social progress and economic prosperity. Our unique student experience includes small class sizes; dedicated, award-winning faculty; and exceptional undergraduate research opportunities that are often conducted in collaboration with our many community partners. We also offer a wide variety of educational options and starting points, including upgrading, trades, undergraduate and graduate programs, to support the varied educational needs of both our domestic and international students.

Contact:

Graham Kissack – VP, EHS and Corporate Communications – media@paperexcellence.com – (250) 732-7991

Source: Paper Excellence Canada Holdings Corporation