The University of Montreal announces a “new chapter in its philanthropic history” thanks to a donation of $40 million from Quebecor and the Chopin-Péladeau Foundation.
“It’s a great day of celebration that is part of the great history book of UdeM. With the unprecedented donation announced today, together we are laying a stone on which UdeM will build a committed and responsible entrepreneurial culture for the Quebec of tomorrow,” said Daniel Jutras, rector of the Université de Montréal, on Wednesday.
He hopes that other philanthropists will follow Mr. Péladeau’s example and in turn contribute to the influence of the university field, adding that he wants to open a new door. This is, according to him, the largest donation offered to a French-speaking university in the country.
See the interview given by the president of Quebecor, Pierre Karl Péladeau, and the rector of the Université de Montréal, Daniel Jutras
“We have about 14,000 donations per year from our graduates. The average donation is a few hundred dollars,” put Mr. Jutras into perspective. The last major donation received by UdeM was for $12 million. “$40 million is not only unprecedented, it’s an order of magnitude that takes us out of our habits,” he added, rejoicing at the gesture.
Half of the amount will go towards the creation of the “Millennium Quebecor” program, dedicated to training the next generation of entrepreneurs. This could be offered as early as spring.
“By participating in the creation of a place of connection and a new entrepreneurship program, we are ensuring that we do everything we can to support and propel young talent,” said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of the management of Quebecor, who indicated that they wanted to honor the memory of his father with this donation.
The other part of the donation will be used to build a future state-of-the-art pavilion, named in honor of Pierre Péladeau, the founder of Quebecor. The building, which should be completed within five years, will house the Millénium Québecor program as well as the future UdeM Innovation Center.
“Today, education is a right,” underlined Mr. Péladeau, recalling that it has not always been so. “These are men like [mon père]and many others of his time, who gave us the collective means to assert ourselves and take control of our destiny.”
He also indicated that one of the most important teachings that his father passed on to him is to contribute to society to “know how to give back what we have received”.