Bow Valley College is thrilled to announce the naming of the Esmail and Safana Bharwani Hall (N231) and the Esmail and Safana Bharwani Theatre (Theatre in our North Campus) in celebration of the generosity of long-time College supporters and philanthropists Esmail and Safana Bharwani.

Since 2013, Esmail, Safana, and their family foundation have supported the College and our students significantly. In nine years, more than 90 students have benefited from student awards funded by the Esmail Safana Farzana Fayaz Bharwani Foundation Endowment.

"Bow Valley College is an important institution in Calgary," says Esmail. "It serves the needs of newcomers and is open to everyone, including students facing language, economic and educational challenges." An immigrant to Canada himself and a committed philanthropist, Esmail and Safana, currently fund 18 Bow Valley College student awards per year, which helps support our students to reach their educational goals free from financial pressures that often accompany a post-secondary education.

Through their most recent contribution to the College at a major gift level, the College will be able to fund awards for 1450 students over the next 25 years, which helps ensure that access to education remains a reality for all Calgarians for generations to come.

Bow Valley College is committed, like Esmail and Safana Bharwani, to inclusion, and we celebrate the resiliency of our students in the commitment they make every day to their education on our campuses. Bow Valley College strives to help our students secure the knowledge, skills, and confidence to help build a better future for their communities.

On Friday, November 25, we were pleased to officially unveil the Esmail and Safana Bharwani Hall and the Esmail and Safana Bharwani Theatre and celebrate the impact the Bharwani family has had and will continue to have on our College community.

"Esmail and Safana Bharwani have invested in Bow Valley College because they not only recognized our vision and our access mandate, but because they are truly passionate about supporting the educational and career journeys of our learners," noted Misheck Mwaba during his remarks on Friday at the event where the named spaces were unveiled. "They recognize that any support, however small, is critical in providing a path for anyone and everyone to pursue an education."

Thank you, Esmail and Safana Bharwani, for your contributions to our College and for supporting our students.