April 2020

WHITEHORSE, YT—Thanks to United Way Yukon, 48 Yukon College students have received $25 grocery gift cards to assist them during the COVID-19 pandemic response. 

Cards went to students identified by faculty or through contact with the student support case manager as needing additional support at this time.  

United Way Yukon (UWY) donated 50 gift cards as part of its COVID Community Response campaign. Working through community partners, the cards empower individuals affected by COVID restrictions to make choices that best meet their immediate needs, whether it’s food, prescription drugs, cleaning supplies or clothes. 

"COVID-19 has affected everyone and we all need help to stay in good health. I am very grateful to the United Way. I got to buy fresh veggies this week because of their generosity — thank you," said a student who wished to remain anonymous. 

WHITEHORSE, YT— Today, Yukon College Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) launched PIVOT., a new program to help local companies minimize the effects of COVID-19. The program is designed to support Yukon businesses of all sizes and stages during the global pandemic and beyond. PIVOT. was developed in partnership and supported by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Government of Yukon, Department of Economic Development.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Today, Yukon College becomes the first territorial post-secondary institution to launch an online registration option for academic students and registration opens for fall semester programs. 

“Online registration increases self-serve opportunities for students. Once successfully admitted into a program, it is a faster, independent way for students to research, build and register the course pathway of their choosing. Most post-secondary institutions in southern Canada now offer online registration and we are pleased to introduce this for our students,” said Wally Rude, registrar and dean of Enrolment Services.  

WHITEHORSE, YT— Yukoner, Stefan Weissenberg has been named the winner of the 2020 Yukon Innovation Prize (YIP) by the Government of Yukon, Economic Development and Yukon College’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) for his hydrogen cell snowmobile idea. The announcement was made this afternoon, via a video posted on the Yukon College YouTube account.

In response to the 2020 YIP theme, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Weissenberg’s project addresses affordable clean energy and climate action by designing the first hydrogen fuel cell snowmobile in the world, giving northerners a cleaner engine for over-land transport in the winter. The reliable and durable design will outperform battery hybrid options by way of a longer range, quicker fill times and better performance in cold temperatures. Weissenberg received a $10,000 award and wrap-around business supports from I&E.