This past summer, the Business Roundtable, which includes the CEOs of top American businesses, made a bold statement about the future of business that companies serve not just shareholders, but customers, employees, suppliers and communities.
Amidst shifting perspectives about the role of business in society today, the University of Calgary has announced the creation of the Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre at the Haskayne School of Business. As business is changing, so, too, is business education.
The centre, announced on Sept. 10, has been made a reality thanks to the generosity of Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, BComm'85. A $5-million gift from their Trico Charitable Foundation will go towards UCalgary's $1.3-billion Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High.
"I believe that, by engaging the University of Calgary, we are definitely able to create a much greater impact in Canada and possibly around the world. If we are able to use social entrepreneurship by encouraging more business people to get engaged into doing good by doing well, I think that will be huge for Calgary," says Wayne Chiu, CM, AOE, ICD.D, and chairman, Trico Charitable Foundation.
The Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre will support unique student experiences inside and outside the classroom including community-based learning, internships, curriculum and research. Students will be empowered with new opportunities and all the support they need to enhance their academic experience. Hands-on learning and tailored student experiences will make Haskayne the school of choice for students interested in social entrepreneurship.
"Thanks to the vision of the Chiu family, we are helping our city to pivot towards an area where we offer unique strengths and capacity," says UCalgary President Ed McCauley.
"Calgary is already a leader in innovation, with the highest number of new patents per capita in the country. We can be a leader in social entrepreneurship, too. The Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre will be a launching point for so many great ideas to solve significant challenges and benefit society."
