Scotiabank has paved the way for the first pupil registered in the inaugural Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE).
Consistent with the Scotiabank Bright Future Programme, the Bank led the way with the first corporate donation of Bds$12 000 covering that student’s full costs for the duration of the programme from August 6 through September 1 at the University of the West Indies.
Professor Cardinal Warde
An initiative of the Caribbean Science Foundation, the programme will be led by celebrated Barbadian inventor and professor of electrical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Professor Cardinal Warde. The SPISE is an intensive programme for promising secondary school students between ages 15 and 17, who wish to pursue a career in science or engineering.
“We are delighted to be able to contribute to this comprehensive initiative which exposes participants to practical, cutting-edge applications of science and engineering,” said Skip Bates, Scotiabank’s Assistant General Manager, Business Support. “We anticipate that this will be an invaluable experience for all of these students as they think about their academic and career paths and we are especially delighted to make it possible for one of them to attend.”
The programme mirrors the respected MITES programme at MIT and will include courses in calculus, physics and biochemistry taught by distinguished academic and industry scientists and engineers from the region and the United States. Participants will be exposed additional subjects including ethics in science and engineering, humanities focusing on the “one-Caribbean” concept and Mandarin.
During the programme, student will have practical experience as they design, build and test systems in robotics, computer science and electronics. Along with demonstrating their projects at the end of the programme, the highlight of their experience is expected to be the opportunity to assemble and operate underwater robots, compliments MIT’s Sea Grant Programme.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic Bright Future programme. Recognised as a leader internationally and in Canada for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over the last five years.
