Rouyn-Noranda, November 29, 2023 – The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue Foundation (UQATF) is grateful to be able to count on the support of the Hewitt Foundation. The latter has awarded the Foundation a $2M grant towards three projects of its major campaign ‘Building the Future Today’
This significant grant will be dedicated to the construction of the new Forest Research Institute Pavilion, the construction of the new Research Institute on Mines and the Environment Pavilion and, finally, it will support the Participatory Research Laboratory on the Social Acceptability of Responsible Natural Resources Development which was officially launched in the Fall of 2022. For UQAT, these are fundamental projects that will help ensure the full potential of its development, and in a context of unparalleled growth.
Following the sale of Hewitt Equipment Limited in 2017, the Hewitt family created the Foundation. Deeply rooted in Abitibi-Témiscamingue for many decades, notably in the Mining and Forestry industries, this significant contribution allows it to give back to the region in sectors perfectly aligned with their history, all the while supporting education, one of its’ strategic giving pillars.
“We are very proud to invest in the region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue in view of our long-standing relationship with the latter. Abitibi-Témiscamingue has played, and continues to play, an important role in the Canadian economic development, and we are extremely proud to have been a part of it both as an employer for over 65 years, and now though Education”, said Jim Hewitt, Chairman of the Board.
“This philanthropic gesture reflects Hewitt Foundation’s willingness to give back to the regional communities. With this significant contribution, Hewitt Foundation becomes, not only an important driver for collective change, but also a powerful philanthropic lever. Hewitt Foundation invests in education which is one of the reasons it agreed to make a $2M to the campaign and we are very grateful,” stipulates Karine Gareau, Executive Director of FUQAT.
Projects powered by UQAT Foundation’s major campaign Building the Future Today
The construction projects of the new Forest Research Institute Pavilion and the Research Institute on Mines and the Environment Pavilion, as well as the Participatory Research Laboratory on the Social Acceptability on Responsible Natural Resources Development are powered by UQAT Foundation’s largest fundraising campaign. With its’ theme Building the Future Today, the campaign aims to raise $25M over 5 years and support 16 main projects for UQAT. Adding up to over $160M, these projects are spread over all the University’s territories: Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nord-du-Québec, Upper Laurentians, as well as Montréal.