Release Date: September 22, 2006
Media Contact: Sabrina Cataldo, External Relations
E-mail: Sabrina.Cataldo@uregina.ca
Phone: (306) 585.5632
Mobile: (306) 536.4312
Fax: (306) 585.4997
Greystone donation creates centre for interprofessional collaboration
A donation from Greystone Managed Investments Inc. to the U of R will help future teachers and human services professionals work together to meet the needs of children and youth in schools. The $100,000 gift to the Building Dreams and Futures campaign will create the Greystone Centre for Interprofessional Collaboration in Education, a virtual centre in the Faculty of Education that will serve as a foundation for projects across a variety of disciplines, including education, social work, justice studies and nursing.

"We touch the future through our children," says Greystone CEO Rob Vanderhooft, CFA. "It's that fact that led to the creation of the Greystone Centre for Interprofessional Collaboration in Education. As a Regina-based company, we have a dual responsibility: to strengthen the skills of tomorrow's leaders and to give back to the city's institutions in full measure for the benefits they have given to us. The centre does both. About half of our investment professionals in Regina hold degrees from the university, so the institution is essential to our growth. We believe that communities grow and thrive because of their students and the professionals who teach them. The centre is an expression of that belief."

The Greystone Centre for Interprofessional Collaboration in Education aims to break down the barriers that have traditionally prevented human service providers from working together to benefit of students and the community. Projects co-ordinated through the centre will engage students in real-life, problem-based interventions under the supervision of academic and field professionals. These projects will be supported through the development of interprofessional seminars, materials and resources.

“The learning and experiences gained by undergraduate students and teachers through this new centre will help create the next generation of human service providers,” says University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Robert Hawkins. “The focus on interprofessional collaboration is especially timely and strategic, since it is a primary goal of the SchoolPLUS reform being undertaken by the province. We are pleased to partner with Greystone in advancing this important priority.”

Founded in 1988, Greystone Managed Investments Inc. is an independent investment counsellor and one of Canada's largest money managers, overseeing $26 billion in assets. Greystone is Canada's seventh largest manager of pension investment assets. Majority-owned by its employees, Greystone has in-house expertise in fixed income (including money market), Canadian equities, US equities and Real Estate. Clients include corporate and public pension funds, educational institutions, foundations, trusts and charities, religious orders, trade unions, and hospitals.

Building Dreams and Futures is an ambitious campaign to raise $100 million for priority areas of the University of Regina, including student and research support, the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport and emerging priorities. Funds are being raised from a variety of funding sources, including donations from individuals, corporations, and community organizations. Information on the campaign and how to make a contribution is available at 1-877-779-4723 or www.uregina.ca/campaign.