Thank you to Darren and Fiona Entwistle, our Luminary sponsors for this evening, for their landmark $1 million personal donation to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation that will significantly expand the TELUS Student Bursary Program. This transformative gift will officially launch the Entwistle Technology Bursary, designed to open doors for underserved youth pursuing post-secondary education in science, math and technology, and who are committed to making a positive difference in their communities.

The Foundation is excited to begin awarding the Entwistle Technology Bursary in Fall 2027, along with this thoughtful letter written personally by Darren.

Dear [Name],

I would like to congratulate you on your selection as a recipient of the Entwistle Technology Bursary for the [2027-2028] academic year! This award marks a moment that I hope will stay with you throughout your studies – one of well-earned recognition, passionate encouragement and genuine belief in your potential to shape our communities, our country and our world in the years to come. 

I believe wholeheartedly that empowering young people represents the most impactful and important investment one can make for the future of our country. This conviction led to the creation of the Entwistle Technology Bursary with a specific vision: to help remove financial barriers to education and support young people who are pursuing their ambitions of a post-secondary or technical vocational education in technology. Crucially, this financial gift is geared towards supporting youth who are also actively volunteering to drive positive social change – young people just like you, [Name]. 

In this regard, you were chosen for this bursary as a result of your distinctive combination of academic promise, laudable determination and an impassioned commitment to making a positive difference in your community. You represent the next-generation of technology innovators who will combine strategic acumen, creative problem-solving and authentic human compassion to address some of our most pressing economic and social challenges. It is my sincere hope that this bursary helps unlock your full potential on your journey toward becoming a leader in a vocation or role that illuminates your own personal definition of success. 

Over the course of my career, I experienced the extraordinary accomplishments that can be realised when astute business strategy is combined with leading-edge technology and ingenious human beings – all whilst embracing the responsibility we share for the betterment of our communities where we live, work and serve our fellow citizens. Through the Entwistle Technology Bursary programme, our family hopes to amplify the skills, ingenuity and critical humanistic values that will enrich our nation’s future talent and uplift the next generation of purpose-driven leaders – at a time when the world has never needed them more! 

As you progress your education and career, I urge you to be courageous and take calculated risks, because without risk, there is no innovation. The tuition value garnered from the inevitable mistakes made along any ambitious journey, will help advance your leadership attributes. It is important to know that failure is not a permanent state of mind, but rather a building block to tomorrow’s success. The sustained vibrancy of societies around the world depends upon innovators and risk-takers, a human behavioural asset that must be more pervasive in Canada to fuel our country’s success in the global knowledge-based economy.

Most importantly, as you complete your studies and eventually begin your professional career, embrace the responsibility we all hold to make our planet a better place. Be passionate about giving with your heart, your intellect and your hands to build healthier, more sustainable and more compassionate communities. Notably, your dedication to both innovation and purpose has already helped you stand out from the crowd and earned you this bursary. I encourage you to lean into these values and honour your natural inclination to be a changemaker and a global force for good!

In this regard, the Entwistle Technology Bursary was inspired by a quote from my father. Indeed, when I was first pursuing a career in telecommunications, my father taught me an important lesson about how to create the circumstances to contribute to society. He said: 

“Embrace technology as a way to enhance our quality of life. But do not forget that it is not, 

and it never will be, a substitute for authentic human compassion.”

As you navigate your post-secondary journey, please remember that, despite perpetual, breathtaking advancements in technology, there will always be no greater connection than the human connection.

[Name], I am truly excited about the path that lies ahead of you as you pursue your ambitions with passion, and ultimately create meaningful positive impact in your chosen field. In closing, I would like to leave you with a quote from cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, who said:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; 

indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

I hope that the principle ensconced within this quote, combined with the support provided by this bursary, will help provide you with the impetus to not only excel in your studies, but also find your own unique way to leave a positive, lasting impression on our world. 

With warm wishes for your continued success,



Darren Entwistle