Twenty-six Students Receive the Largest Scholarships in the History of Cégep
de Sainte-Foy

QUEBEC CITY, May 21 /CNW Telbec/ - During a reception held on May 20, 2010, 26 students from Cégep de Sainte-Foy received scholarships worth $2000, $2500 or $5000. Denis Juneau, general director of the Cégep de Sainte-Foy and Yvon Charest, President and CEO of Industrial Alliance were both on hand to award the scholarships. The Cégep de Sainte-Foy Foundation was able to offer the most generous scholarships in its history thanks to contributions by Industrial Alliance and the government of Quebec.

Twenty $2,000 scholarships offered by Industrial Alliance and two $2,500 scholarships offered by the government of Quebec were awarded to Cégep de Sainte-Foy students to develop their English-language skills during immersion stays outside Quebec. In addition, four other students received $5,000 scholarships from Industrial Alliance to support them financially during a school session in an English-speaking environment.

To respond to a growing need by employers for workers who master both official languages, several years ago the Cégep de Sainte-Foy implemented initiatives to learn a second language, including the LINK program. One of the objectives of these initiatives is to increase the possibility for students to study outside the province of Quebec. "The Cégep wants to encourage its students to develop their English-language skills. This partnership with Industrial Alliance adds a whole new dimension to our projects, opening more doors for our students," said Denis Juneau.

"We recently created the Industrial Alliance Fund for Learning a Second Language, and granting these scholarships is the Fund's first step in promoting linguistic versatility among our young people," said Yvon Charest. "We are very proud of this joint venture with the Cégep de Sainte-Foy and we believe that the scholarships will foster exchanges and dialogue between young people in different regions of the country."

About the Cégep de Sainte-Foy Foundation

The Cégep de Sainte-Foy Foundation supports the academic objective of Cégep de Sainte-Foy by fostering quality teaching, academic success and innovation. To carry out its mission, the Cégep de Sainte-Foy Foundation focuses its actions primarily on fundraising campaigns or fundraising activities. These funds are used for educational projects or are awarded as student scholarships.

About Industrial Alliance

Founded in 1892, Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is a life and health insurance company that offers a wide range of life and health insurance products, savings and retirement plans, RRSPs, mutual and segregated funds, securities, auto and home insurance, mortgage loans and other financial products and services. The fourth largest life and health insurance company in Canada, Industrial Alliance is at the head of a large financial group, which has operations in all regions of Canada, as well as in the United States. Industrial Alliance contributes to the financial wellbeing of over three million Canadians, employs more than 3,500 people and manages and administers over $60 billion in assets. Industrial Alliance stock is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IAG. Industrial Alliance is among the 100 largest public companies in Canada.

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For further information: Louise V. Paquet, Manager, Cégep de Sainte-Foy Foundation, [phone], extension 3602, [email protected]; Catherine Drouin, Director of Communications Department, Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc., [phone], extension 4664, [email protected]; Source: Communications Department, Cégep de Sainte-Foy, [phone], extension 3542