Canwest Global Gift Supports Media Studies at Malaspina

January 24, 2001 - 4:00pm

A $150,000 donation by the CanWest Global Foundation will fund ongoing research and scholarships in Media Studies at Malaspina University-College.

The gift was announced today by Ron Eberle, General Manager of Global’s CH Vancouver Island. It will create two endowments providing scholarships and funds for research and program development in Media Studies.

“New communications technologies, media convergences and media-related business opportunities seem to dominate our news and conversations, but there are relatively few opportunities in British Columbia and Canada to investigate these phenomena in disciplined and practical ways,” said Marshall Soules, Coordinator of Media Studies at Malaspina.

“It is a credit to CanWest Global that they would answer this need with a significant endowment that will have ongoing benefits to students in this important field of public interest.”

Approximately 135 students take courses in Media Studies at Malaspina each year. They are encouraged to improve their currency with communications media, including emerging on-line technologies and related software. Theory and discussion are combined with a strong emphasis on applied new media skills learned in computer labs and through distance learning.

“CanWest Global is committed to supporting the communities in which our employees live and do business,” said Ron Eberle. “With this gift we can help students who intend to make careers in media and communications, and ultimately contribute to the development of the industry. We have a long term view for CanWest Global on Vancouver Island, and we are pleased that, with Malaspina’s support, we can create this endowment that will continue into the future.”

Malaspina is the only university-college on Vancouver Island and enrolls 10,500 students annually.

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