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By: Janice Bandick
Published On: April 21, 2015
At Ashton College, we understand the importance of building a rewarding career and how difficult this can be for new immigrants to accomplish. With experience and credentials that aren't always recognized in their adopted country, and the high cost of continuing education for international students, many immigrants’ expertise, knowledge and skills remain underutilized.
To address this issue, Ashton College partnered with Canadian Immigrant Magazine in 2005 to offer full time tuition bursaries to newly landed immigrants: the Lilian To Bursaries.
The Lilian To bursaries are offered in memory of Lilian To, a crusader for immigrants. Lilian was the long-time executive director and CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S, a multi-service community organization that provides assistance to new immigrants. Lilian arrived in Vancouver in 1973, and for the next 32 years served others with a passion and a vision that were limitless. She left behind a legacy of acceptance, respect and tolerance amongst all British Columbians.
After Mrs. To’s sudden death in 2005, the bursaries were created to ensure that her work with immigrants continued by addressing the challenges they face when trying to secure a stable career in Canada.
Applicants must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents who have arrived in Canada within the past five years and who wish to enroll in a full-time program. Each bursary has a maximum value of $8,000. Each winner has a full year to redeem their bursary for the Ashton College program of their choosing. The winners are chosen by an external panel of four judges after submitting an essay detailing financial struggles, past education, community involvement, and future career plans. A reference letter from a previous instructor/employer is also required. Once these criteria have been considered, the four most outstanding applicants are chosen. For more information on selection criteria, please click here.
Applications must be received by December 4, 2015.
Check out what our 2014 winners had to say about what the Lilian To bursary means to them.
“I am so grateful to have this opportunity, and to know that others like me will continue to have such chances. Newcomers bring strength from their cultural heritage and strong work ethics to Canada.”
Dayakshi Iyer – Immigration Consultant Diploma
“A long-term dream of mine is to help the less privileged people in other countries. I think I will only be able to achieve this by first establishing myself here in Canada. I need to be equipped with resources and to finish all the studies I’ll need, and this bursary will allow me to do so.”
Sofia Domenica Lombos, Immigration Consultant Diploma
“In the Philippines, my practice was only limited to Filipino legal issues, but now that I have gained knowledge about Canadian immigration law, if I go back to the Philippines, I can bring these skills with me. When I finish the International Trade program, I will be able to cover this area within my business as another area of specialty.”
Giovanni Mata – Immigration Consultant Diploma, Diploma in International Trade
“Ashton College is known for quality education, and committed to giving excellent results to their graduates. Because of this bursary, there are better opportunities that await.”
Anthony Margery Cantil, Diploma in International Trade
The information contained in this post is considered true and accurate as of the publication date. However, the accuracy of this information may be impacted by changes in circumstances that occur after the time of publication. Ashton College assumes no liability for any error or omissions in the information contained in this post or any other post in our blog.
