Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci announces new Markham Campus scholarship

Yorkregion.com
May 16, 2023

Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci, Ward 6, Councillor for Markham, has established a scholarship award for students at York University's Markham Campus. Councillor Collucci’s Markham Spring Gala event contributed the $25,000 award to encourage students to strive for academic excellence and make positive contributions to society.

Councillor Collucci is a York University alum who credits education for its significant role in shaping her future. She hopes the award will help realize the hopes and dreams of future generations.

“Education instills individuals with the confidence to pursue their goals, live a better life, become a better person, and contribute positively to society,” said Councillor Collucci. “Education shapes our society; it shapes the present and future of our community.”

The Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci’s Markham Spring Gala Award will benefit incoming undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Creative Technologies at Markham Campus. Preference will be given to students focused on the future of media entrepreneurship and/or digital justice, specifically ensuring ethical developments in artificial intelligence. Councillor Collucci hopes this scholarship will support students who have the courage to dream big and take bold steps towards a brighter future.

“Councillor Collucci reminds us of the importance of diverse education as essential to the wellbeing of our communities,” said Dr. Sarah Bay-Cheng, dean & professor for York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. “Creative Technologies allows students to pursue their creative passions while learning the skills needed to succeed in the creative industries of the future.”

Construction of York University’s Markham Campus is well underway, and the new campus will open Spring 2024.

The Creative Technologies program at Markham Campus combines arts and innovative technologies to transform society. Anchored in a passion for social justice, the program equips students to refract the world's most pressing contemporary challenges through their unique, creative lens to forge a better tomorrow.

We are very grateful for Councillor Collucci’s continued support of Markham Campus and our future students,” said Dr. Gordon Binsted, deputy provost of York University’s Markham Campus. “Not only will this award further the hopes and aspirations of students in our Creative Technologies program, but it will also drive positive technological and entrepreneurial changes in Markham’s thriving arts community.”

I often say that businesses, big and small, are the engine of the economy. Now I must add: Education is the foundation of our society," said Councillor Collucci. “This $25,000 endowment to York University will benefit students for years to come.”

Markham Campus will open in Spring 2024, bringing job-ready academic programming with an entrepreneurial and technology focus to Markham’s booming tech sector. The campus will feature classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, media creation spaces, makerspaces, and a VR and Gaming Lab. Students can apply for its seven undergraduate and five graduate programs this fall.