Bursary for Indigenous students in business established at Carleton U

Humphrey Law, a graduate of Carleton University’s Bachelor of Commerce program, has established a $500,000 endowed bursary in support of Indigenous students.

Carleton University: the Humphrey Law Bursary for Indigenous Students in Business is now accepting applications. They will be awarded annually to an Indigenous student in financial need entering Carleton’s Sprott School of Business and will cover full tuition and fees for the student’s first year of study. 

“I have a great respect for the increased barriers that Indigenous students face in pursuing education,” said Law. “I wanted to ensure that what I put in place would be significant to these students, allowing them to experience the value of a Carleton education.” 

The bursary, supported with matching funds from Carleton, will help break down barriers to education and positively impact the educational experience and learning outcomes of Indigenous students, reads a statement from the university.

The award is available to Indigenous students entering any program of study within the Sprott, a decision based on Law’s own past as a business student and the belief that innovation and entrepreneurship are key learning pillars that will empower students to make a difference in their own communities.  

 “Indigenous socio-economic health and well-being can be realized through the creation of successful Indigenous ventures owned and operated by Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs,” said Rick Colbourne, Sprott’s assistant dean, Equity and Inclusive Communities, and assistant professor, Indigenous Leadership and Management.  

“I am very excited about this bursary because it enables us to welcome more Indigenous students into our programs and to support them to be successful in their studies.”  

Law previously established two other bursaries at Carleton. In 2013, he established the Y.P. Law (Law Yan Pak) Memorial Bursary to honour his late father’s commitment to education and leadership in the education system in Hong Kong. In 2018, he created the Thomas Jeyes Memorial Bursary in loving memory of his lifelong partner, Tom, who also greatly valued education.  

“For me, it’s n​ot just about academics; it’s about giving an opportunity to a student who wouldn’t normally have been given a chance to reach their potential and goals,” said Law.