The Engineering Access Program (ENGAP) celebrates their 30th Anniversary on Friday, October 2nd, 2015.
Wow! Over 100 Indigenous student graduates with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering have come through ENGAP. The upgrading support program for Indigenous engineering students began in 1985 and has been touted as the most successful program of its kind in Canada.
As a part of Homecoming 2015, ENGAP will be having a Wine & Cheese in the Engineering Atrium on Friday, October 2nd, 2015 at 1:00 pm to celebrate the achievement of its last 30 years. A beautiful Indigenous art piece will be unveiled commemorating the 100 plus ENGAP graduates since 1985. That same evening, a 30th Anniversary dinner celebration will be held in the Atrium and is free to ENGAP graduates and their spouses. Graduates must RSVP by September 21st (204)474-9872.
The first ENGAP student to graduate was Dan Brown and he will be coming from Fort McMurray to speak at the festivities. Rene O’Laney is ENGAP’s 100th graduate and he will also be acknowledged at the Wine & Cheese.
ENGAP IS A FRIENDLY, WARM AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY OF STAFF AND STUDENTS THAT ORIGINALLY EVOLVED TO BRING ABOUT A GREATER REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENOUS STUDENTS WITHIN THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION AS LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF ENGINEERS IN CANADA ARE INDIGENOUS.
The success of ENGAP can be attributed to the wide array of supports it offers students, from academic, personal and financial to employment and community connections. If the Indigenous student does not have the university entrance requirements, the ENGAP program offers upgrading classes in math, physics, chemistry and computer science to help the students meet the highly competitive demands of engineering. ENGAP then continues to support its students throughout their engineering degree and welcomes new Indigenous students at any stage of their degree.
Once the ENGAP students have completed at least one year of studies, they become eligible for the ENGAP Scholarship and Bursary. Every year we give away approximately $80,000.00 to students, dispersed according to their previous year’s GPA or assessed need. This amazing fund comes from our generous corporate sponsors such as APEGM, Engineering Endowment Fund, HATCH Ltd, Manitoba Hydro, Nexen Inc., Petro Canada, Shell Canada, Vale, and the Manitoba Aerospace Human Resource Council: StandardAero, Magellan Aerospace Corp, Bristol Aerospace Limited and Boeing Canada.
Our Indigenous engineering students have great career opportunities as they are sought after and hired for interesting summer jobs and are then hired soon after, or even before they graduate. In addition, when students are part of an engineering department they can experience term work positions through the Co-op program. A community student group called EASA (Engineering Access Student Association) offers ENGAP students a variety of opportunities to participate in organized activities, to volunteer and run a fund-raising fridge filled with snacks. The entire community of ENGAP becomes a bridge from an often small and isolated northern town to the vast university campus.
Please join us on Friday, October 2nd at 1:00 pm in the Engineering atrium as we celebrate the success of ENGAP and all of the Indigenous engineering graduates!
For more information please call (204) 474-9872 or visit our website at www.engap.com.
Calling all ENGAP Graduates!
Founded in 1985, The Engineering Access Program at the University of Manitoba (ENGAP) is the most successful program of its kind in Canada, providing guidance to Indigenous peoples pursuing a degree in Engineering.
This year we are celebrating ENGAP’s 30th anniversary and our celebrations would not be complete without you!
Therefore, we are calling on all past and present students of ENGAP, past and present ENGAP staff, and all those who have supported and championed the program over the years to come and help us celebrate in style.
Our reunion will occur in conjunction with the University of Manitoba Homecoming Weekend on October 2 – 4, 2015. So mark your calendars now. Free up your weekend, cart your kids off to grandma’s place, do whatever you have to do, and come and join the festivities.
On Friday, October 2nd in the afternoon we will start the exciting weekend with the Faculty of Engineering’s Homecoming Reception. At this reception the Faculty will unveil a commemorative installation paying homage to the 30th anniversary of ENGAP and the 100 graduates we have had to date. This installation will be prominently displayed in the Faculty of Engineering atrium.
12:00 pm Doors officially open for guests to enter 12:30 pm Dean’s “State of the Faculty” presentation (E2-229) 1:00 pm Reception to begin (EITC atrium) 1:30 pm Greetings from Minister James Allum, UMES Senior Stick, Dean of Engineering, Director of ENGAP, keynote from first ENGAP Graduate (Dan Brown, Class of 1991) followed by special unveiling.
Special performance by Sagkeeng’s Finest, Winner of Canada’s Got Talent!
Following the reception, ENGAP will host a dinner celebration for past graduates and their guests. 5:30 pm Doors officially open for guests to enter (EITC Atrium) 6:00 pm Reception begins 6:30 pm Blessing and Dinner 7:40 pm Greetings from U of M President Barnard, Dean of Engineering, and first ENGAP graduate (Dan Brown, Class of 1991)
Special performance by Buffalo Red Thunder Zingers Drum Group!
Please make plans to come to our 30th anniversary party and renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. It promises to be a fun filled event.
For more information or to RSVP, contact: engap@cc.umanitoba.ca or call 204-474-9872, toll free in Manitoba at 1-800-432-1960 ext. 9872 or toll free in Canada at 1-800-278-9591 ext. 9872.
Let’s party like it is 1985 again!
Randy Herrmann, P.Eng., Director, ENGAP
