Polytechnique Montréal has expanded its scholarship initiative in memory of the 14 women who lost their lives at the engineering school 36 years ago. The Order of the White Rose scholarship, which was established in 2014 and previously granted to one female engineering student annually in Canada, has now received funding from new contributors to award 14 scholarships worth $50,000 each. These scholarships aim to honor not just the victims but also their families and others affected by the tragic events of December 6, 1989.
During a ceremony at the school, the scholarships were presented this year. Maud Cohen, the president of Polytechnique Montréal, expressed the need for additional donors to sustain this mission beyond the current 14 grants, four of which are only funded for the current year. Cohen emphasized the significant impact of these scholarships and the hope to continue awarding them in the future.
The scholarship recipients for the 11th edition of the program are students from various universities in Quebec, Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia. These scholarships provide support for students to pursue their engineering dreams in an inclusive environment. One of the recipients, Angéline Lafleur, shared her journey from completing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and physics to pursuing a PhD in electrical and computer engineering, specializing in quantum technologies at the University of Waterloo.
Reflecting on the tragedy of the Montreal Massacre, Lafleur acknowledged the progress made in supporting women in engineering fields. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by the scholarship and the chance to connect with fellow recipients and supporters. Lafleur emphasized the importance of remembering the past while celebrating the advancements and positive changes in the engineering community.
Polytechnique Montréal’s efforts to increase the representation of women in engineering have shown progress, with a rise in the percentage of female students in the bachelor program from 11% in 1989 to nearly 32% presently. Cohen highlighted the institution’s initiatives to engage young students in science and engineering through outreach programs and financial support for science-focused activities.