Large donation will help students (SIDIT bellies up to bar with money.)

Castanet March 30

Okanagan students will be getting their share of financial support over the next three years. The single largest donation for student awards in the history of Thompson Rivers University, Okanagan College, Selkirk College and College of the Rockies, a total of nearly $7 million, was announced Friday in Kamloops by Jim Thomson and Soren Harbel. “The total package includes a $2.4 million fund for Post-Secondary Trades and Technology Awards, a $1.5 million fund for Secondary School Awards, along with a $3.04 million fund supporting research, innovation and entrepreneurship to be jointly funded by SIDIT and BCIC, who have contributed $ 1.52 million each,” says Thomson, Chair of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust. Harbel, VP, Innovation Development of BC Innovation Council, says the BCIC programs will support students, faculty, post-secondary institutions, industry organizations and companies involved in the areas of technology innovation, research, development and commercialization. “The Council is excited to be joining forces with SIDIT to promote innovation and commercialization in the Southern Interior,” says Harbel. “The potential and talent is strong in this region, laying the ground work for great opportunities to strengthen B.C.’s knowledge economy and business growth.”
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Don Quixote Note: This is the 2nd major announcement for SIDIT. On February 13, 2008 SIDIT and Private Investment Fund reach Terms of Agreement:Kamloops. Jim Thomson, Chair of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT), is pleased to announce an agreement with the Southern Interior Innovation Fund Inc. (SIIF) for up to $2 million to support economic development in the Southern Interior.