2021 President's Awards recipients represent student resiliency
SAIT President and CEO Dr. David Ross presents the annual President’s Awards to recognize students and student groups who make a difference at SAIT and in their communities. After a year defined by disruption, the 2021 awards also celebrate the recipients’ ability to persevere and prevail when COVID-19 forced the typical post-secondary student experience to pivot fully online.
“We’re proud to recognize and celebrate transformational community impact, partnership and student leadership,” says Dr. David Ross. “Our 2021 President’s Awards recipients represent the resiliency and outstanding accomplishments that reflect the broader student community during this past year.”
President's Medal
Since 2016, the President’s Medal has celebrated students who have made significant contributions to campus life, demonstrated leadership with industry and attained excellence in their field of study.
This year, Rigel Raju (BBA ’21) has been awarded the 2021 President’s Medal for his resilient dedication to leadership, community building and achieving academic excellence despite past frustrations.
With a passion for helping fellow students and making a lasting impact on the community, Raju has high expectations for himself. Fortunately, he also has the commitment, knowledge and skills to follow through.
"Awards such as this do not belong to one person alone. It belongs to everyone that was a part of your journey, because they all contribute to the experiences which transform you into who you become and how you got the award.” — Rigel Raju
Rigel has immersed himself across the SAIT and Calgary communities through a variety of clubs and volunteer positions. He has held leadership roles in the SAIT Finance Club, Phi Theta Kappa Honour Society, Enactus SAIT and the Student Investment Management Trust, while also serving on the SAIT Board of Governors and Academic Council. Rigel works tirelessly to ensure all students have a chance to be heard and the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
President's Student Leadership Award
This award recognizes a student group that demonstrates innovation and initiative in creating opportunities and advancements for SAIT, their fellow students, industry and the community. This year’s award goes to the Student Investment Management Trust (SIMT).
Established by students and funded by endowments, sponsors and donors, the SIMT is a student-run investment fund that provides a cross-disciplinary, industry-integrated experience in the fundamentals of investment, financial ethics and money management. Represented by several academic programs, SIMT works to build a collaborative and integrative mindset while offering students valuable work experience in various areas of business, with a focus on investment management.
"Three years ago it was pretty much a pipe dream. But now being able to see it flourish — it’s just amazing and a little bittersweet because we ourselves can't participate in the fund directly. Just being able to see other students go through the process and knowing how valuable it will be for them is awesome.” — Derek Yip, (BBA ’21) co-founder of SIMT
Congratulations to the incredible 2021 award recipients. Their dedication to supporting fellow SAIT students today and tomorrow, as well as their ability to persevere during difficult times is truly inspirational.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.