News

Only three more weeks before the CUE World Gala, a night filled with celebration for a noble cause. Join President Dr. Tim Loreman, and Vice-President External & International Relations, Dr. Manfred Zeuch, to highlight the achievements of our outstanding students and raise money for deserving future leaders, who are awarded on merit such as grades, community service or leadership. 

It will be an evening of entertainment and inspiration at the River Cree Casino on Friday, November 4 beginning at 6 p.m., with performances by Party in the Back, the latest high energy dance band out of Edmonton. This 11-piece band boasts four lead singers who will perform familiar favourites from different genres. There will also be a talented dance group showcasing India’s unique culture. Guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner at 7 p.m. and a chance to chat amongst friends, while one-of-a-kind art is painted live by artist, Vasudha Tiwari. The painting will be auctioned off at the end of the evening.

Giving a student a chance for a brighter future

Funds raised from the Gala will go directly to scholarships and bursaries, with a portion going to study abroad and work-integrated learning programs. Studies have shown that this kind of support for students has a positive impact on student retention, academic achievement and career success. 

“Our students will be facing challenge after challenge, and it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to support them,” says Tim Loreman.  “We need to be their champions. To raise them up and remind them that they are capable. We are deeply grateful to our generous donors through the World Gala for making that possible.”

Celebrating our connections in India 

The World Gala is also an event that brings us together every year to appreciate our connections in the world. “Through these international partnerships – a very strong one being India – we see opportunities to expand our reach, and strengthen our relationships with one another and with the world,” says Tim. 

CUE has signed MOUs with three Indian universities allowing for exchange of students, faculty and staff, and for research cooperation (two in Punjab and one in Mohali).

Money raised for scholarships also enables us to bring the brightest minds from around the world to study in Edmonton – and we are very fortunate to have many talented students from India at CUE excelling academically. 

CUE International student from India, Drij Gajera, has dreams of having a career in IT. He received the Physical Sciences Award, and told donors, “I would like to thank you for helping me fund my education, Your generous award has been very helpful!”

Any day you take a stroll around CUE campus you will see and hear students from all backgrounds speaking various languages. “International students come to CUE not only to get an outstanding education, but also to be part of a community where inclusion and diversity are celebrated,” says Manfred. “Our international students enhance our schools, and allow for multiple voices to be heard.”

For many international students, scholarships are a lifesaver for those waiting on visas, as one student points out: “I am 44 years old, a 2nd-year international student at CUE, and a mother of three children, newly in Canada. Since my husband only got his work permit recently, delayed due to Covid, we have been without any income for seven months now. Paying for my next academic year would have been a challenge and therefore this scholarship makes a huge difference for me financially and academically.”

Donations are an inspiration to students

CUE Financial Aid and Award Coordinator, Margie Schoepp, has been dealing directly with students in financial need for over 15 years. “Scholarships do more than just pay tuition, they inspire students to do their best and make the donor proud.” she says. This is the same sentiment one CUE student and scholarship recipient points out:

“I received a scholarship that first year and I remember the feeling that it gave me knowing that a complete stranger believed in me and my education and it inspired me to want to do my best and make the donor proud.”

Without scholarships and bursaries, many students will not be able to complete their studies, mostly because they can’t afford it. By attending this gala you are helping students remove financial stressors and help them flourish at CUE.

Financial help when it’s needed most

CUE’s Financial Aid and Awards advisors meet one-on-one with numerous students throughout the year and understand that a stressed brain cannot focus on studying well. Likewise, if students are holding down two jobs just to get by, they won’t have time to study or have a quality university experience. 

For many students completing their studies without going into a great deal of debt is critical to their wellbeing. As CUE student, Alysha Robinson points out “I worked part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer to keep on top of my school fees.” Luckily for her she was a recipient of a scholarship and was able to complete her studies without the burden of debt. “Thank you for this amazing gift,” she wanted to tell donors, “It is deeply appreciated!”

Students are struggling to keep up with rising costs

With the rising cost of food, gas, rent and tuition in Canada – the burden on low-income students can be grim – even for those with a scholarship or other financial aid. The cost of inflation on students means there is a greater need for student loans. “Close to half of students will take out a student loan now – up significantly from when I first began working at CUE,” says Margie. She emphasized that this is ‘good debt’ that students might need to consider in pursuing their studies. A scholarship or bursary can help many students reduce their debt load, which can hold them back once they graduate. 

“This $500 will truly make a difference as it will go toward paying off some of my tuition and alleviate the burden on my student loan.” – Brad Dela Cruz, recipient of the Gerhardt W. Hyatt Scholarship.

CUE student Amanda Robertson, felt this economic crunch as a single mother trying to pursue her dream of getting her psychology degree. “As sole provider to a very active 12-year old young man, this will help a great deal in juggling the financial aspects of achieving my degree as well as keeping my son enrolled in extra curricular sports he enjoys so much,” she says. 

A disadvantaged background should not be a barrier to success

No one can fix the inequities in society and poverty can often shape the way students make it through university. Economic disadvantages can keep students from pursuing an education, even if they are a good student.The CUE bursary is meant to supplement, not replace, other financial assistance. To qualify applicants must demonstrate financial need based on a modest standard of living, as well as other requirements. 

The pandemic really took a toll on students in the past two years, and these scholarships and bursaries are needed more than ever. “Bursaries are non-repayable awards based on financial need which provide just that little extra financial assistance to make a university degree possible,” Margie explains. 

“I am so thankful for the generosity of the donor. I was just reaching the point where I thought I would have to drop out, but the bursary was enough to get me through to the end of the term and I did not have to forfeit the semester.” –- student recipient of a bursary.

Learn more about CUE financial aid and scholarships 

Thank you to our generous sponsors

• Everest Education
• Dinner Sponsor: Chandos
• Entertainment Sponsor: Furniture BLVD 
• Dessert Sponsor: St Francis Daycare 
• Travel Sponsor: EIA
• Decor Sponsor: Reimagine
• Media Sponsor: Global TV

For further information, or to learn more about event sponsorships, please email events@concordia.ab.ca.