A step in the right direction

June 11 marked a monumental day for Mount Royal University and the Iniskim Centre as the official launch of the Aboriginal Science and Technology Program (ASTEP).

Imperial Oil President and CEO, Bruce March.

The launch of the program coincides with the announcement that the Imperial Oil Foundation has committed to investing $1 million over five years to establish ASTEP. This investment in ASTEP is an extension of the existing support of Mount Royal University’s Iniskim Centre, a centre dedicated to increasing enrolment and retention of First Nation, Inuit and Métis students.

“Science and technology are essential to progressing growth in our business and to the overall competitiveness of our country,” said Bruce March, Imperial Oil Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe ASTEP will empower Aboriginal students to achieve success in science and help to meet Canada’s needs for a skilled and diverse workforce.”

Empowering Aboriginal science students

ASTEP, developed in collaboration with Mount Royal’s Iniskim Centre, focuses on preparing and transitioning Aboriginal students into science and technology degree programs at Mount Royal. ASTEP was developed in response to the ever-increasing critical need and desire for better representation of Aboriginal peoples in the field of science and technology.

Empowering Aboriginal students to achieve success in science and meet Canada’s needs for a skilled and diverse workforce is the primary objective for ASTEP.

"[ASTEP] now allows the Iniskim Centre at Mount Royal University to support Aboriginal students seeking to complete a degree in the growing fields of science and technology,” said Marlene Poitras, director of Mount Royal’s Iniskim Centre. “The creation of ASTEP represents Iniskim Centre’s and Imperial Oil's response to the need to engage Aboriginal youth in the sciences and our continuing commitment to develop future Aboriginal leaders."

Mount Royal students who self-identify as aboriginal and wish to pursue an education in the area of science and technology will now have support in applying for funding, tutorial support, cultural and social support, social initiatives and coordinating visits from community members and Elders.

Creating an inclusive environment

Science student Katelin Breaker.

“I am inspired by the new opportunities ASTEP will offer my peers and me,” said Katelin Breaker, a Mount Royal Aboriginal student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in health science. “Mount Royal’s smaller class sizes and commitment to supporting students of all backgrounds and, particularly, Aboriginal students are the key reasons why I chose to pursue a science degree here.”

The announcement of the investment in ASTEP from the Imperial Oil Foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to not only Mount Royal, but Alberta’s Aboriginal communities.

“Without the generous support of the Imperial Oil Foundation this program would not exist,” said Mount Royal President David Docherty. “We are very grateful to have the support of such a strong community partner as Imperial Oil and look forward to the future development of this program.”

— Brendan Greenslade, June 11, 2011