Letter of Support from Jared Houston - UC SCALA team project
February 13th 2009
Jared Houston
To the Selection Committee of Sauve Scholars:
As the University of Calgary project leader for the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) SCALA project from 2003-2004, I write to you today to detail the contributions of Josephine Tsui to the SCALA project and its goals.
The SCALA Program involved EWB volunteers working in partnership with the Department for Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Filipino government to assist in the creation and sustainability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centers.
These centers developed and delivered integrated ICT training to improve the livelihood and employment opportunities for Filipino youth. From 2001-2005, the Scala Program helped to establish and build the capacity of these ICT centers which have benefited over 500 Filipinos every year by helping to improve their computer literacy skills. In recognition of its achievements, the SCALA program was awarded the UN Global Knowledge Partnership award at the UN Summit on Information Society in Geneva, Dec. 2003.
The University of Calgary SCALA team, as a member of a national team of Canadian student chapters including the University of British Columbia and the University of Guelph, was responsible for fundraising, overseas volunteer selection, training, and logistical planning for the project. As the Fundraising Commissioner for our project team, Josephine assisted in fundraising over $15,000 in 8 months from various university and private funding sources. Her experience within other student groups such as Women in Science and Engineering and Doctors Without Borders was an asset to her involvement in the team. She was also involved as a facilitator in the Calgary based Computer Literacy Training project that was created in partnership with the Calgary Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (CMCN). This project delivered computer literacy training to new immigrants in Calgary and continues to this day. In addition, Josephine introduced Daniel Charlesbois to the project who would go on to be chosen as one of the two overseas volunteers and later become President of the University of Calgary chapter of Engineers Without Borders.
Throughout her time with the project team, Josephine displayed strong communication and emotional intelligence skills when interacting with team members, and gave valuable input to the logistical and financial planning of the project. I believe these skills stem from her strong passion to further the ideals of social justice and equality and am confident she will continue to show great leadership in all her future endeavors.
Yours Truly,
Jared Houston
BSc. Mechanical Engineering – University of Calgary
UofC SCALA team project leader 2003-2004
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