Alstom Funds Ontario Tech University's New Railway Engineering Specialization and Scholarships

Alstom will provide $106,000 over three years to Ontario Tech University to support engineering students interested in railway careers, according to an announcement from the university on June 11. Ontario Tech University stated this funding is being introduced alongside the launch of what it describes as Canada’s only English-language undergraduate Railway Engineering specialization, scheduled to begin in September.

Ontario Tech University reported that the new funding and the upcoming specialization are aimed at students in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, including those in their third year of manufacturing, automotive, mechatronics, and mechanical engineering programs. The university also noted that Alstom is supporting a similar French-language railway engineering program launching this fall at Polytechnique Montréal.

According to Ontario Tech University, Alstom’s $106,000 contribution will be allocated among three initiatives. Over three years, $66,000 will fund the Alstom Canada Women for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship. This scholarship will provide six $5,000 entrance awards to female undergraduate students entering their first year in eligible STEM programs. In addition, recipients for the 2025–2026 academic year will receive $2,000 in-course awards in their second, third, and fourth years if they maintain the minimum required GPA.

The university further stated that Alstom will provide $10,000 per year to support the Student Enrichment Program. This program is designed to increase the number of graduates entering energy-related fields through industry partnerships and hands-on opportunities.

Once the Railway Design team at Ontario Tech is established in the 2025–2026 academic year, Alstom will provide $5,000 annually for two years to support the team’s work, according to Ontario Tech University.