This partnership will directly support Gee-Gees Varsity Athletics, the uOttawa e-Hub Startup Garage, and the Desjardins Elevator Pitch Competition. It will also fund scholarships for women and students from racialized communities through the Telfer Capital Markets Program.
“We truly value Desjardins’ support to the uOttawa community over the past 10-plus years. Through their ongoing commitment to our University, they have created numerous opportunities for students and budding entrepreneurs, provided our alumni with innovative revenue-generating affinity programs, and have now committed to continuing that impact in new areas,” said Jacline Nyman, uOttawa vice-president, External Relations.
This new partnership agreement will contribute strategically to building the uOttawa community and will help promote the development and potential of youth.
“Our youth play a pivotal role in shaping our future. As North America’s largest financial cooperative, it is imperative that we support young Canadians and help them achieve their dreams in life,” said Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. “We are proud to be partners with uOttawa and these great initiatives that will give our youth the resources and tools they need to pursue their goals in life.”
Part of the agreement has been earmarked for support to Gee Gees varsity sports teams, giving uOttawa athletes the resources to train, compete, excel and win championships.
“Not only will this impact our teams directly, but as a service, Recreation and Varsity Athletics will be investing resources from this partnership into our integrated support team, adding resources for mental health, strength and conditioning, and student-athlete nutrition, ” said Sue Hyland, Director of Varsity Athletics.
This agreement also makes a substantial investment in diversity and inclusion by funding scholarships for women and students from racialized communities that will help eliminate barriers to participation in the Telfer Capital Markets Program.
“Women and people from diverse backgrounds are underrepresented at all levels of the global financial system. These scholarships will encourage greater inclusion and narrow the gender and diversity gap in finance while providing critical experiential learning opportunities for more students in our capital markets program,” said Stéphane Brutus, dean of uOttawa’s Telfer School of Management.
Partnerships with the private sector help the University create transformative experiences, implement innovative projects, fund cutting-edge research, and support students who are really in need.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of $408 billion. It was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers in 2023 by Mediacorp. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Ranked among the world’s strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.
About the University of Ottawa
Rooted in our bilingual and Francophone DNA, we are evolving at the intersection of many cultures. Located in Canada’s capital, a gateway to the world, we possess a unique platform to respond with energy, creativity, and scale to the global challenges and opportunities our world offers. With an active focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, we will thrive like never before.
Already in this new millennium we have rocketed into the top 1% of the world’s 20,000+ universities with our research reputation. We have doubled our enrolment with students from across Canada, as well as from 147 countries around the globe, choosing uOttawa.
Our international influence is surging, with institutional partnerships in Europe, Asia and Africa multiplying rapidly – including membership in the U7 Alliance of world universities.
Meanwhile our research and programs in Cybertech, health, science, social justice, sustainability, education, and entrepreneurship continue to impact communities across Canada and around the globe every single day. Our scientists and academicians are driving progress in ethical AI and technology development, in clean growth and innovation and in action- oriented research on aging, active and healthy living, lifelong learning, and well-being, to name but a few.
At uOttawa we are driven by the urge to challenge the status quo, the will to make an impact, and the ambition to become a catalyst for change.
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