On September 26, the BCIT Foundation and School of Construction hosted the CY and Emerald Keyes Foundation for a student meet and greet.

The CY and Emerald Keyes Foundation have been one of the longest and most dedicated partners within the BCIT School of Construction, dating back to 1983. Since then, they have contributed nearly 1 million dollars to support Mining and Mineral Exploration students through awards and program excursions.

Each year, the program embarks on a number of field trips to unique geographical and geological sites. Students have the opportunity to meet mining professionals and ask questions about the technical and managerial aspects of mining. These experiences solidify theory taught by instructors in the classroom and provide hands-on teaching examples. Over the past four years, field-trips have included excursions to places such as Oliver, Merritt, Princeton, and Montana.

To date, 549 students have received awards to help fund their education. In the past four years alone, 566 students have participated in mining field-trips. This is all thanks to the generosity of the CY and Emerald Keyes Foundation. “What an outstanding show of commitment, dedication and loyalty to BCIT and our students,” said BCIT Foundation Executive Director, Jackie Jacob. “You have changed lives through the transformative power of education. Our students significantly benefit from your support every day and we are so grateful.”

Together, we are responding to the needs of BC’s mining industry and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental prosperity of our province. We are training tomorrow’s geologists, surveyors, engineers, and environmental advocates – who will go on to make outstanding contributions to their communities and beyond.