Xerox changes scholarship focus

Page 11

Xerox Canada is now accepting applications for their 2004 Aboriginal scholarship program. For the past 10 years, Xerox has awarded $12,000 annually to eight Aboriginal students who plan to pursue studies in business and technology at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution. Students enrolled in university programs may receive up to $3,000 a year for up to four years. Those in a college program may renew their scholarships for up to three years.

This is the first time Xerox has extended the scholarship to business students. Previously, the scholarship was open only to students of technology.

"We're shifting the focus to business. It was actually something that we got from our own research and feedback, that there was a greater need for nurturing future business leaders as opposed to focusing more on IT (Information Technology)," said Kevin Morrison, a media spokesman for Xerox Canada.

In order to be eligible, applicants must be treaty, status or non-status Indian, Metis or Inuit. Letters of recommendation are also required for the application process. Morrison said those wishing to apply must be in good academic standing and have a history of community service.

"Anything you can add to your personal interests and some of the volunteer work that a candidate would be involved with certainly goes a long way to making the application a bit more attractive to the panel," said Morrison.

"I've worked with a lot of the scholars from last year and they were absolutely fantastic candidates. I don't have an exact number; we got several hundred applications. I think the ones that stuck out were the people that did stuff above and beyond being a student ... we had one candidate (Fauna Kingdon of Iqualuit, Nunavut) that ran a swim team for free for youngsters in her community but was also a national Metis role model, and that was something that came out in her letter of application and it made her stand out that little bit."

It was Cameron Hyde, former president of Xerox, who initially came up with the idea of creating a scholarship program for Aboriginal students. Xerox is one of the founding members of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, which honors the accomplishments of companies that develop business relationships with Aboriginal communities. PAR is run by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), an organization that aids in developing business opportunities between Aboriginal communities and corporate Canada.

Applications to the Aboriginal scholarship program must be received by June 30. For more information, visit the Xerox Canada web site at www.xerox.ca//english/4_0/4_6/absp.html.