Innovation Winter 2024.25

REGULATORY NEWS

Affinity Program operated by BCSEG starting January 1

In conjunction with Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Annual Conference and AGM, the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Foundation held a reception on October 18 to celebrate the recipients of the Foundation’s awards and to thank donors and volunteer adjudicators. In 2023-2024, the Foundation awarded $120,000 in bursaries and scholarships to 41 engineering and geoscience students. These awards have made a difference to students, helping to reduce the financial burden of attaining a degree in engineering or geoscience. The Foundation has a goal to raise $6 million in the next three years so it can increase the value of each of its awards to a minimum of $5,000 to help keep pace with the cost of tuition and the rising cost of living. Effective January 1, 2025, the Affinity Program, which offers discounts on personal services to registrants, will be administered by the BC Society of Engineering and Geoscience (BCSEG). Engineers and Geoscientists BC will continue to manage the program through the transition process until December 31, 2024. All existing policies with Affinity Program partners will remain unchanged, with the exception of Esso fuel discounts. If you have an Esso account through the Affinity Program, you will need to reapply for another program. You can do this by contacting Joseph Downing at: Joseph. Downing@wexinc. com. This transition follows the extensive review of Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s programs and activities, as part of its alignment under the Professional Governance Act . The organization is focusing on a more streamlined regulatory mandate, which limits advocacy roles and activities. For more information, scan the QR code to visit the Affinity Program webpage. Students awarded Foundation scholarships

P hoto : S hutterstock

UVIC

To donate or to find out more about the Foundation, you can scan the QR code at right. You can also donate when you renew your annual registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (see article page 14).

eisted@uvic.ca

+1-250-721-6429

execprograms.uvic.ca/prodev

Innovation Winter 2024/25

37