NAIT Student Wins First Alberta Equity Scholarship
September 4, 2009
A student currently attending the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology is the first ever recipient
of the Alberta Equity Scholarship, an initiative started this year by the Alberta stations of the Jim
Pattison Broadcast Group.
Raeesa Merali, an Edmonton resident,
is entering her second semester in the
Radio and Television program at NAIT,
and is specializing in radio. The
selection committee chose Raeesa to
receive the $1000 scholarship based on
her commitment to broadcasting, her
community involvement, her ability to
overcome challenges, and her
embodiment of the goals of the
scholarship program.
The Alberta Equity Scholarship has
been instituted to address the shortage
of Alberta broadcasters from four
under-represented groups; Aboriginal
Peoples, Persons with Disabilities,
Members of Visible Minorities, and Women. The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group believes that by
supporting the career development of these groups in Alberta broadcasting, the industry will access
an untapped pool of potentially talented employees, encourage diverse viewpoints and backgrounds,
enhance relationships with local communities, and broaden the advertiser and audience base.
Ms. Merali, besides being a woman and a Shia Ismaili Muslim, also battles a blood disease that
requires her to have regular blood transfusions and other treatments. She is a youth leader and
Raeesa Merali receives her scholarship cheque from Paul Mason,
GM of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s Red Deer operations.
volunteer at her mosque, and has hosted a show on the NAIT Radio Station (“the FREAKIN’ pre-
WEEKEND Show!”).
The scholarship initiative is supported by the following stations of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group:
- BIG WEST Country (CIBW FM), Drayton Valley
- B-94 (CHBW FM), Rocky Mountain House
- Big Country 93.1 FM (CJXX), Grande Prairie
- Country 95.5 FM (CHLB), Lethbridge
- B-93 FM (CJBZ)Lethbridge
- CHAT 94.5 FM, Medicine Hat
- CHAT Television, Medicine Hat
- MY96 FM (CFMY), Medicine Hat
- BIG 105 (CHUB FM) Red Deer
- 106.7 The Drive (CFDV- FM) Red Deer
For further information, contact:
Dave Sherwood – Scholarship Committee Chair
Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Medicine Hat
(403) 548-8246 dsherwood@jpbg.com
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