The Ontario Institute of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (OIPMAC) made a donation of $129,000 to the Algonquin College Foundation for student bursaries in the e-business supply chain management applied degree program.

 The donation, made Sept. 21, includes matched funds from the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund. The OIPMAC is an association with over 7,000 members of supply chain management professionals involved in all sectors of the economy.

The 250 members, past and present, of the Ottawa District raised the money through PMAC events, among other things. “We are grateful to the local members of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada for their tremendous leadership in establishing generous student bursaries for the bachelor of applied business e-business supply chain management program,” said Barbara Farber, chair of the Algonquin College Foundation.

“This generous donation is an important investment in the education and training of future supply management professionals.” The $129,000 endowed bursary will be used for a total of $5,000 in bursaries awarded annually to three students in the program who meet the criteria specified by the Ottawa district of the OIPMAC.

The supply chain management association’s president Maya Walker said the bursary is part of celebrating an exceptional program as well as way for the OIPMAC to give back to the community. “We are pleased to provide opportunities for students who strive to obtain their Certified Professional Purchaser designation and pursue a career in Supply Chain Management, but would not have had the financial means to do so.”

Members of the Ottawa District PMAC, members of the Algonquin College Foundation and President Robert Gillett were at the cheque presentation ceremony. Gillett remarked during his speech that 70 per cent of students receive some sort of financial assistance. “We are a community college. We are helping the community that helps the college,” said Gillett.

Farber expressed her gratitude for the large donation, which is the single largest donation to the e-business supply chain management program. “This is a huge investment in the college and what (PMAC) thinks of it.”