Langara students receive Ike Barber Transfer Scholarships

Vancouver, BC - Twenty-five Langara College students have received Ike Barber Transfer Scholarships worth $5,000 each to assist them in moving between BC post-secondary institutions. Of those 25 students, 20 list the University of British Columbia as their destination institution; two students list Emily Carr University; two list Simon Fraser University; one student lists the University of Victoria.

The scholarships are awarded annually by the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society (IKBBC) to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at a public post-secondary institution in BC and are transferring to another degree-granting institution to complete their studies. A total of 171 students across BC received the scholarship in 2018.

The financial support allows former Langara student Kayla Meeking the opportunity to focus on her studies. “Langara provided me with the support and tools necessary to succeed in my studies, while still being flexible to the realities of student life. Receiving this scholarship enables me to focus on my studies without having to manage part-time work in addition to full-time studies and a practicum. It allows me to enjoy and thrive in the process of post-secondary education, with minimal stress and an understanding that university can be more than just a means to an end.”

Kayla is now pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at UBC and expects to graduate in spring, 2020.

Scholarship funds come from the returns on a $15 million endowment established by the province in 2006. The fund is named after philanthropist Irving K Barber who had a long history of supporting public education and research projects in British Columbia before his death in 2012.

“Supporting students who transfer between post-secondary institutions makes their pathway to success more affordable,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “As someone who benefitted by starting off in college and graduating from university, I know the value of transferring credits. Students save time and money to reach their goals! Congratulations to this year’s recipients.”

To qualify for a transfer scholarship, students must have strong grades and demonstrated volunteer service to their school and/or community. The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society offers scholarship and education award programs that support BC students attending public post-secondary institutions. Created in 2004, the Society recently announced expanded scholarship and award programs for Indigenous students, and for women studying technology. Since 2006, the Society has awarded over $16 million in scholarships to thousands of BC students.

A complete list of the Langara recipients can be found here.

About Langara
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as house of teachings, a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located. Langara is celebrating its 49^th year on West 49^th Avenue with Beyond 49, an integrated celebration, alumni engagement, and fundraising campaign to reconnect with alumni, and raise funds for student support and important College initiatives.

Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Communications and Marketing
Langara College
604.323.5702
mdawson@langara.ca