London, ON. March 27, 2019 – This month, Fanshawe College and tbk finalized a new scholarship aimed at causing more women to become software developers.
Entitled, tbk’s Women in Tech Scholarship, the Award will provide an entry level female student going into Fanshawe College’s Interactive Media Design program a full year’s tuition – two semesters – valued at approximately $6,000.
“Like many countries, Canada is experiencing a talent shortage of technology workers and countries that will win in the digital economy will have strong government policies and an ample workforce pool,” said Andrew Schiestel, tbk’s President. “It’s our hope that this scholarship will contribute to Canada’s economy and shorten the skills gap.”
“This scholarship gift from tbk is incredible for an incoming first year female student. For a student to receive this type of gift will help set them up for success from the moment their post-secondary education begins. In having tbk choose to give this scholarship to a female student, it will make a significant impact on the need for more women to join the digital creative industry. Our industry partnership with tbk demonstrates an excellent example of how academia and industry can work together to create a better future for society. I am excited and proud to have this scholarship be offered to an Interactive Media Design student, as part of the School of Digital and Performing Arts.” – Michelle Giroux, Associate Dean, School of Digital and Performing Arts, Fanshawe College
tbk continues to focus on closing the gender imbalance in the digital workforce. At 38 team members, the web design and marketing company’s gender makeup is fifty percent female owned, over 50% female managed and around 50% female employed. “It makes perfect sense to us. If more women get into software development, there will be more talented workers that tbk can employ, better solutions will be built, our company will do better, and Canada’s economy will become more competitive.” Schiestel added.
To be eligible, the awarded student must have at least 85% Grade Point Average (GPA) in her final year at high school and demonstrate involvement in a technology project during her high school career.
tbk’s Women in Tech Scholarship is applicable for the fall 2019 intake year at Fanshawe College. Students can learn more or apply by contacting Fanshawe College.
About Fanshawe’s School of Digital and Performing Arts
Fanshawe’s School of Digital and Performing Arts is located in the heart of downtown London’s arts, cultural and digital media hub. The programs blend hands-on training with theoretical and provide plenty of real-world interaction with local talent. Students discover new ways to communicate ideas, experiment with innovative technology, and learn how to bring ideas to life through new techniques that support the digital creative industry. The Interactive Media Design program will professionally prepare students for an evolving job market in digital media design, development and production. Students are provided comprehensive training in new media technologies with an emphasis on web application design, interactive rich media, and current technologies for developing usable, media-rich sites and applications.
About tbk
At 39 team members, founded in 2010, and based in London, ON., tbk is a company that helps other companies be more competitive. They do this through producing some of Canada’s highest quality web design, branding, digital marketing and marketing software solutions. For four consecutive years (2016-2019), Consumer Choice Award has named tbk Top Web Design Provider in London. Some of their clients include: 3M® Canada, Auburn Homes, Extendicare Canada Inc., Hino® Motors Canada, Jiffy Lube® Ontario (59 stores), Lerners LLP, Old Oak Properties, The Tricar Group and Yogen Fruz®. They are also the makers of the web accessibility software, AODA Online, which has serviced over 1,000 corporate users.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Melissa McInerney
CEO & Chief Creative Officer, tbk
519.657.1465 ex 33
1.888.515.4825 ex 33
[email protected]