Building BCIT Together

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Building BCIT Together

Welcome to the first edition of our e-newsletter, which recognizes how your support is helping to shape the BCIT of the future—our students. For every student whose life your generosity has changed, thank you.

Challenging times like this put our purpose into sharp focus. Students are at the heart of what we do. This June, as we recognized our newest graduates virtually with the 2020 Graduation Celebration Video, we also celebrated you, our donors. We invite you to watch the video in which BCIT President Kathy Kinloch expresses her gratitude for each of you (at approximately the 8:53 mark). The video is hosted by Global BC news anchor and BCIT alumna Sophie Lui and filled with well wishes from other BCIT grads as well as faculty, and staff.

Please share this e-newsletter, which will be published three times a year, with your colleagues, friends, and family so they know how you’re helping us support innovative education for an increasingly complex world. They can also subscribe to receive this update.

2019/20 Annual Report: what would we do without you?

As we look back at 2019/20, we are so proud of what we have been able to achieve because of you. Together, we received over $9 million and raised a total of $16.7 million (cash and pledged gifts) for BCIT's INSPIRE Campaign, the largest amount ever raised in a single year in the history of BCIT. For all the incredible highlights and achievements from this past year, read more.

INSPIRE Campaign ushers in
new era at BCIT

Last fall, BCIT launched our most ambitious fundraising campaign—INSPIRE. Supported by a Cabinet and community of industry leaders and innovators, the Campaign will transform BCIT by focusing on access and inclusion, teaching and learning innovation, and campus redevelopment. We’re well on our way to achieving our goals and invite you to join us. Learn more.

BCIT COVID-19 Emergency Student Response Fund: helping students in need

With the emergence of the pandemic this year, our students faced enormous financial strain. More than 1,000 students reached out for help, worried about how they would pay for basic living expenses like food, rent, and electricity. BCIT quickly established the COVID-19 Emergency Student Response Fund to answer the need. Our donors rallied to help us raise more than $160,000 and support nearly 490 students. Read more.

Thank you from BCIT student award and bursary recipients

At the BCIT Foundation, we are always proud and ready to talk about our amazing students—especially those who receive the scholarships, awards, and bursaries that are made possible by our donors. Now, our students want to do the talking to personally express their gratitude for your support. Watch the video.

The changing face of campus: Health Sciences Centre underway

The new Health Sciences Centre on our Burnaby campus will provide approximately 7,000 health-sciences students with simulated care learning environments critical to their education. Thanks to the Province of BC and community supporters, this innovative facility will ensure that BCIT students, including the 1,000 new speciality nursing student spots recently funded by the Province, are prepared to deliver the future of healthcare.

Learn more

Student champions share impact of their BCIT education

The neonatal nursing certificate at BCIT equips nurses to support at-risk infants and their families in neonatal nurseries and intensive care units. Delivered online, the course makes it possible for students to fit the program around work and other studies. Graduate Jessy Dame sees BCIT playing a critical role in ensuring healthcare professionals get the skills they need to serve diverse populations in a complex system. Learn more from our student champions.