Grant Hall Turns Blue to thank RBC for Water Initiative Support

Published on: 2012/06/11 - in Featured News

This weekend, Grant Hall at Queen’s University was bathed in blue light as a thank you to the Royal Bank of Canada, for its $2 million donation to support the university’s water initiative, as well as to recognize Blue Water Day.

Led by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science’s Department of Civil Engineering, the new RBC Queen’s University Water Initiative aims to raise awareness of the impact of industrial development and agriculture on watershed health and water supplies.

“RBC’s generous donation will contribute to Queen’s lasting impact on water protection through research, education and the training of tomorrow’s professionals,” said Principal Daniel Woolf. “Learning acquired by doing is an important aspect of the Queen’s experience. This initiative will provide practical hands-on watershed research experience for our faculty, graduate and undergraduate researchers. ”

The initiative is a ten-year program that is described as taking on a “holistic approach” to better understanding the fragility of watershed resources.

“We’re proud to support this new initiative that will bring together the brightest minds to tackle some of the most serious water issues facing our country,” said Gordon M. Nixon, president and CEO, RBC. “Our $2 million grant is one of the largest commitments we have made under the RBC Blue Water Project and is a testament to our confidence in Queen’s University.”

The RBC Blue Water Project is a $50 million philanthropic commitment to support organizations that are dedicated to watershed protection and to provide access to clean drinking water.
http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/environment/rbc-blue-water/index.html

Last year, RBC contributed more than $98 million to community causes worldwide, through donations of more than $64 million, and an additional $34 million in sponsorship of community events and national organizations.

Queen’s University RBC Water Initiative Video (click to watch on Youtube)

See also: New watershed initiative supports Canada’s water supply | RBC’s Blue Water Day

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Photo: Queen’s University Marketing | Video: QueensUCanada on Youtube