$500,000 Donation Supports Social And Sustainable Innovation At UVic

The Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria is pleased to announce a $500,000 donation from Vancouver-based resource firm Goldcorp Inc. to support the school's Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation (CSSI).

Established in 2011, the centre is part of Gustavson’s commitment to being an educational and academic leader in the developing field of social and sustainable innovation.

“We’re grateful that Goldcorp Inc. saw the potential in the research capabilities of CSSI,” says UVic President David Turpin. “The centre and Gustavson School of Business are helping today’s students and tomorrow’s business leaders learn to think in new ways about addressing complex problems in the changing world of business.”

The Goldcorp donation will allow the centre, which has launched several research and education initiatives with a small annual budget, to significantly increase its activities and opportunities for both students and faculty.

“Goldcorp is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we are located,” says Chuck Jeannes, President and CEO of Goldcorp. “Our investment in the CSSI aligns with our commitment to operating sustainably, acting responsibly and to growing educational opportunities for young people. We are pleased the Gustavson School is integrating social responsibility and sustainability into academic content and research agendas and believe ongoing strides in this growing field will continue to yield encouraging results.”

The centre and its work is one of the four pillars (innovative, integrative, international and sustainable) that underpin the Gustavson School. Sustainability and social responsibility are integrated into the school’s entire curriculum. Almost 30 per cent of the school’s faculty teach and research business topics that include social and environmental issues.

“This donation is important support for the centre, which has already helped us examine our own practices and connected Gustavson students, faculty and staff – as well as the entire UVic campus – with sustainable business expertise and scholarship,” says Dr. Saul Klein, dean of the Gustavson School of Business.

Through research and teaching, Gustavson’s goal is to help students and the wider community become agents of change and role models for adopting sustainable and responsible approaches to business, such as minimizing impact on the global environment, transparent and consultative decision making and responsible stakeholder relations.
 

-- 30 --