AIA unveils plans for “changemaker” space at Georgian College

$250,000 donation will create an area where students can work collaboratively and learn more about the automotive aftermarket in Canada.

Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes accepts a donation of $250,000 from the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada for a changemaker space for students. Presenting the cheque on behalf of the AIA are, from left, Randy Moore, president and CEO of Mr. Transmission; Tony Canade, chairman of AIA’s board of directors; and AIA president and CEO Marc Brazeau.

The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada has donated $250,000 to Georgian College’s Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC) to create a “changemaker” space.

The dedicated space will be designed for students to use when working on collaborative projects.

It will also feature multimedia displays to let students know what AIA is all about.

“AIA Canada is very proud and excited to partner with the Automotive Business School of Canada to educate future leaders in the Canadian automotive aftermarket industry,” said Marc Brazeau, president and CEO of AIA Canada. “This important financial contribution from our members will ensure that students have the right learning environment and the right tools to succeed in our sector for many years to come.”

Marie-Noelle Bonicalzi, dean of business, automotive and hospitality, thanked AIA Canada for playing an ever-increasing role at Georgian College.

Georgian student Matt Garwood (second from right) reviews the plans for a new changemaker space that will be funded by a $250,000 donation from the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada. He is joined by, from left, Tony Canade, chairman of the AIA’s board of directors; Randy Moore, president and CEO of Mr. Transmission; and Marc Brazeau, AIA president and CEO.

“Since the mid-1990s we have nurtured and developed a strong relationship with AIA Canada and as a result, many of our students are choosing the aftermarket sector as their career of choice,” said Bonicalzi.

AIA Canada’s donation was made in support of Georgian’s fundraising campaign, The Power of Education: Transforming the Student Experience.

Georgian College offers the only Bachelor of Business Automotive Management degree and Automotive Business diploma in Canada. Graduates of these unique programs secure great jobs in many sectors of the automotive industry including dealerships, aftermarket, finance and insurance, remarketing, corporate head office, fleet management, marketing and advertising, and event management.