CHILLIWACK, BC, June 25,
2024 /CNW/ - At a celebration at UFV's Chilliwack campus today, BMO announced a
contribution of $440,000 over five
years to support the BMO Collaboratorium. An exciting partnership
between BMO and the University of the Fraser Valley's Peace and
Reconciliation Centre (PARC), the BMO Collaboratorium is a program
that provides UFV students with research training and practical
experience in a way that benefits the communities around them. The
event included a PARC student showcase, Indigenous drumming and
dancing, and a panel discussion with students and community
partners.
Launched as a pilot project in 2021, the BMO Collaboratorium was
created by PARC Director Dr. Keith
Carlson to provide community organizations access to
sophisticated research at a fraction of the cost of a corporate
consultant. It will now become a fully funded research
organization, guided by newly appointed Research Coordinator,
Leanne Jarrett. Half of the
partnerships that have been co-created as a result of the BMO
Collaboratorium are with Indigenous communities.
"We are very proud of the work that's been done and the
partnerships that have been fostered through the BMO
Collaboratorium, and we're excited to celebrate this generous
contribution by BMO," says UFV President and Vice-Chancellor Dr.
Joanne MacLean. "This support allows
us to build on the solid foundation that's been set in place,
providing more opportunities for UFV students and impactful
research with our many community partners."
The idea for the BMO Collaboratorium came from a series of
discussions Dr. Carlson had with not-for-profits, First Nations
groups, and municipalities. He found that they had a list of
research projects they wanted done, but not the budget.
Through the BMO Collaboratorium, at a cost of $12,000, community partners receive 14 weeks of
access to a paid student intern who has completed intensive
methodology training and has the skills to design and execute a
research plan with measurable timelines and outcomes.
"The BMO Collaboratorium is unique with the combination of value
and quality research it provides for Indigenous communities and
other partners," Dr. Carlson says, adding that half of the
community partnerships have been established with Indigenous
communities like Matsqui First Nation, Sumas First Nation, and Seabird Island First
Nation.
The work of Dr. Carlson and the BMO Collaboratorium was
recognized in 2023 with Heritage Abbotsford's Outstanding BC
Heritage Award in Indigenous and Diverse Cultures.
In addition to hiring a research coordinator, BMO funding will
help to seed partnerships for community groups that may not have
the budget for the full student internship. The funding will ensure
that students work with equipment (laptop computers, scanners,
etc.) that is up-to-date, and will help them with travel expenses.
This partnership will also be celebrated as part of UFV's
50th anniversary celebrations – honouring the past,
celebrating the present, and co-creating the future 50 Years
Forward.
"With a coordinator in place, we'll have the ability to work
year-round with our community partners to apply for grant funding
and assist with preliminary consultation," Dr. Carlson says. "We'll
be able to enhance connection and deepen engagement through these
partnerships."
"We're honoured to support the work of the BMO Collaboratorium,
which is meeting a great need within Indigenous communities while
creating opportunities for students," said Michael Bonner, Head, Canadian Personal &
Business Banking Distribution, Head, BMO Enterprise Indigenous
Strategy, and Co-Chair, BMO Indigenous Advisory Council. "We've
enjoyed a strong relationship with UFV since 1999, enhancing the
student experience and ensuring their long-term success, as part of
BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and
life."
To date, BMO has contributed $1.03
million to UFV, including sponsorships, and student
awards.
BMO releases an annual Indigenous Partnerships and Progress
Report titled wîcihitowin, which is a nehiyawewin/Cree term
meaning "helping and supporting each other." The report highlights
BMO's partnerships with and commitment to Indigenous communities
and includes inspiring stories from Indigenous customers,
employees, and community leaders.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in participating in
the 2025 BMO Collaboratorium as a community partner, or would like
to learn more, email PARCcollab@ufv.ca.
About UFV
Located in the beautiful Fraser Valley just east of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully
accredited, public university that enrolls approximately 15,000
students per year. UFV has campuses and locations in
Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, and Hope, and a growing presence
in Chandigarh, India. We
offer more than 100 programs, including three master's
degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors, and extended
minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates,
and more than a dozen trades and technology programs.
About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of
$1.4 trillion as of April 30, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years
and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees
providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth
management, global markets and investment banking products and
services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United
States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single
purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO
is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making
progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive
society.
SOURCE University of the Fraser Valley