This release was issued under a previous government.
Mount Royal students training for a leadership role in the fast-growing fields of ecotourism, adventure tourism and outdoor pursuits will be eligible for a $1,500 annual scholarship provided by Alberta Environment and Parks.
“We recognize that ecotourism is a growing industry here and around the world and by encouraging participation in this industry, we will help diversify our economy and support future jobs. We also want to ensure that tourists to our province are provided with world-class Albertan experiences, and one way we can help make that happen is to invest in future leaders in this industry.”
Alberta Environment and Parks is proud to be developing this new scholarship initiative with the Faculty of Health, Community and Education, for students in the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education – Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
“Today’s announcement is welcome news for our students, who are the future leaders in sustainable tourism. We appreciate the government's support for this made-in-Alberta program and the fact this scholarship recognizes Mount Royal’s strong partnership with Indigenous communities.”
The $15,000 will be in the form of a one-time grant and the university will be responsible for managing the disbursement of an annual scholarship of $1,500 over the next 10 years.
First- and second-year students in the four-year degree program may apply starting in the fall of 2017. Alberta Environment and Parks will work with the university to establish criteria for the scholarship, with an objective of supporting ecotourism endeavours in Indigenous communities.
The program will prepare students to become champions of outdoor adventure, equipped with entrepreneurial savvy and a comprehensive understanding of the links among health, physical activity and wellness.