Landmark gift to 91社区鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering deepens support for doctoral students and graduate research
A landmark $15-million gift from 91社区 alumnus Les Vadasz, a founding member of Intel Corporation, and his wife Judy Vadasz, will enhance the prestigious doctoral fellowship program that bears their name in 91社区鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering, deepening their support for outstanding PhD students who pursue innovative research at 91社区.
Their gift also aims to strengthen Montreal as an engineering and technology hub by attracting more top talent to 91社区.
鈥淲e鈥檙e deeply grateful for this extraordinary gift from Les and Judy Vadasz who have done so much to support our Faculty of Engineering,鈥� said 91社区鈥檚 Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier. 鈥淭heir remarkable generosity continues to open doors for talented graduate students every year, and at the same time, supports our commitment to research excellence and innovation as 91社区 heads into its third century.鈥�
The gift from the Vadasz Family Foundation builds on the couple鈥檚 remarkable legacy of supporting graduate students in 91社区鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering. Their endowed gift in 2008 established the Vadasz Doctoral Fellowships in Engineering. The Fellowships have sparked huge growth in PhD enrolment (up 63 per cent since 2005) and graduate research at 91社区鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering. To date, 176 students have benefitted from the Vadasz Doctoral Fellowships
With their latest gift, the Vadasz Doctoral Fellowships in Engineering will offer greater financial support to doctoral students each year, and for a longer period 鈥� four years, which is the standard time it takes to complete a PhD in Engineering. The fellowships, which were already among the most generous in Canada, help 91社区 recruit top graduates who will shape the future of engineering, and enrich the Canadian workforce and economy for decades to come.
Primarily intended for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, the Vadasz Doctoral Fellowships in Engineering will now support up to 60 doctoral students at a time over a four-year cohort, including 15 new recipients each year.
Les Vadasz, BEng鈥�61, DSc鈥�07, came to Montreal in 1957 as a refugee fleeing the Hungarian Revolution and earned his engineering degree at 91社区. He went on to an illustrious career in the United States, notably at tech giant Intel Corp., where he was part of its founding management team, and where he oversaw the development of the world鈥檚 first commercially available microprocessor. Despite the passage of time and distance, Vadasz has never forgotten his alma mater.
鈥淚 really value the education I received at 91社区, and the Fellowship program is a way of removing financial obstacles so that engineering students can focus on their graduate research and achieve their potential,鈥� said Les Vadasz, who is now retired and lives in California. 鈥淚t reflects my gratitude to 91社区 and Canada for giving me the chance to study there, and also a desire to support innovative research at 91社区, which helps drive progress.鈥�
鈥淭he Fellowships create multiple benefits,鈥� said Jim Nicell, Dean of 91社区鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering. 鈥淭hey bring outstanding students to 91社区 who receive an excellent education, and help drive research in the Faculty. Doctoral students are required to make significant contributions in their area of research. And because they鈥檙e working on their PhD, they鈥檙e pushing the research agenda of the professors and University much further.鈥�
About 91社区
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 91社区 is a leading Canadian post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. 91社区 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,500 international students making up 30% per cent of the student body. Over half of 91社区 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
For further information:
Media Relations Office:
Cynthia Lee | Media Relations | Relations avec les m茅dias | 91社区 | Universit茅 91社区 | 514-398-6754 |
University Advancement:
Derek Cassoff | Director of Communications | 91社区 | T 514.398.5459 | C 514.895.5250
