New HSBC Award offers top undergrads financial aid to study abroad

Sep 29, 2015

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Starting this fall, SFU’s Beedie School of Business and nine other top Canadian universities will begin granting a new and noteworthy Award to some of Canada’s most deserving and internationally minded students.

“Studying abroad helps students to develop the skills and mindset needed to collaborate and compete on a global stage,” says Jason Henderson, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Banking and Markets for HSBC Bank Canada and executive sponsor of the new award program.

“The HSBC International Business Awards will lower financial barriers to international study for 60 deserving students across Canada – including six top students at the Beedie School of Business – and possibly give them an opportunity to build an international career at HSBC.”

Each recipient will receive $10,000 to help cover the costs associated with studying abroad, with the Award being granted on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and financial need related to the additional costs of completing an international university exchange program.

In addition, students can apply for a summer internship with HSBC Bank Canada, as well as a place in one of the international bank’s management trainee programs upon graduation.

“We are thrilled that this generous award from HSBC will allow our leading undergraduate students to benefit from an international experience,” says Blaize Horner Reich, dean of the Beedie School of Business.

“Immersion in foreign cultures is a fantastic way for students to enhance their skills and strengthen their employment prospects after graduation. We are extremely grateful to HSBC for their support in helping our students realize the full potential of their student experience.”

The new Award is anticipated to be welcome news for the 60 students set to receive the Award in Canada. HSBC’s latest global survey study: the Value of Education, suggests that 6 in 10 parents in Canada would like to see their child study abroad.1

In comparison, a 2014 research study by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), states that only 3% of Canadian students are going abroad on international study programs or exchanges – one of the lowest numbers among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.2

Granted to two business school students each year for three years at each of the 10 universities, a total of 60 students are expected to receive the Award by 2017. More information on the HSBC International Business Award is available at sfu.ca/students/financialaid/

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  1. HSBC Value of Education: Learning for Life global research study, available at: hsbc.ca/education
  2. 2014 Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) research report, available at: cbie.ca