Conestoga news

October 25, 2023 2:22 PM

The Cowan Foundation supports new centre for medical sciences and biotechnology at Conestoga

Conestoga is announcing a transformative gift from The Cowan Foundation to help advance health care with accessible, high-quality programming.

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The Cowan Centre for Medical Sciences and Biotechnology at the Kitchener - Doon campus will help advance health care with accessible, high-quality programming. L-R: Don Hunt, Princeton Holdings Limited; Mary D’Alton, The Cowan Foundation; Matthew Sheedy, Cowan Insurance Group; Maureen Cowan; President John Tibbits.

The Foundation has pledged a significant gift over the next five years to launch The Cowan Centre for Medical Sciences and Biotechnology at the Kitchener - Doon campus. The new centre includes cutting-edge laboratories equipped with the latest biotechnology instruments, tools and infrastructure to enhance education, research and patient care, including histotechnology, hematology and analytical instrumentation.

“We believe that this continued investment in medical technology and the development of skilled personnel will advance our capabilities to deliver health care services here and across the country, and we believe it is one of the best ways we can make a positive difference in our health care system,” said Maureen Cowan, Chairman of The Cowan Foundation and Princeton Holdings Limited.

The medical sciences and biotechnology industries play a vital role in the well-being of communities and advancing health care. Investing in new and expanded programming with integrated curriculum and applied learning will respond to current and evolving workforce needs with career-ready graduates for the allied health sciences sector. In addition to state-of-the-art facilities, funds will also be used to establish scholarships, support faculty development, and foster strategic partnerships and collaboration with industry.  

“We are grateful for the leadership of The Cowan Foundation and the impact this gift will have on health care in our community,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits. “Together, we will continue to deliver outstanding education, nurture exceptional talent, pursue applied research, drive ground-breaking discoveries and contribute to the advancement of this critical field.”

The Cowan Foundation, started in 1995 in honour of Frank Cowan, the founder of Frank Cowan Company, is a valued partner of Conestoga and has been instrumental in the development of a number of other college facilities, including the Career Centre and the Cowan Health Sciences Centre. The Foundation is sustained by the ongoing success of the Princeton Holdings group of companies, including Cowan Insurance Group Ltd., Cowan Benefits Ltd. and Fountain Street Finance Inc. Together, they provide insurance and risk management solutions to clients. The goal of The Cowan Foundation is to make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and the broader well-being of our communities. For more information, visit www.cowanfoundation.ca

Conestoga’s School of Health & Life Sciences offers a range of credentials to assist individuals achieve their goal of becoming a healthcare professional. From pre-health programs to certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates and degrees, the School of Health & Life Sciences delivers the most up-to-date training provided by expert faculty and staff in state-of-the-art facilities.