The International Minerals Innovation Institute is awarding seven scholarships totaling $46,000 to students pursuing education and careers in mining and mineral sectors.
The awards include five IMII Rockstar Scholarships, one UEC Northerner IMII Rockstar Scholarship, and one Al Shpyth Scholarship for Environmental Excellence.
The IMII Rockstar Scholarships are supported by the full IMII membership and are awarded to candidates seeking mining-relevant education across certificate, diploma, and degree programs. The 2026 recipients are:
- Shelby Page – Industrial Mechanics, Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Certificate)
- Kale Strelioff – Welding Certificate, Suncrest College (Certificate)
- Ibuchi Joachins Nwachukwu – Mining Engineering Technology, Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Diploma)
- Ivan Krueger – Civil Engineering, University of Saskatchewan (Degree)
- Jocelyne Durand – Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan (Degree)
The UEC Northerner IMII Rockstar Scholarship, sponsored exclusively by IMII industry member Uranium Energy Corp., is awarded to a worthy IMII Rockstar scholarship candidate with ties to Northern Saskatchewan. This year’s recipient is:
- Rodney Mayling – 3rd Class Power Engineering, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (Certificate)
The Al Shpyth Scholarship for Environmental Excellence recognizes a commitment to environmental excellence and the important role environmental stewardship plays in the minerals industry – values exemplified by the award’s namesake. The 2026 recipient of this award is:
- Emma Wilmut, Environmental Engineering, University of Saskatchewan (degree)
The IMII Rockstar Scholarship program is meant to support students heading into mining-relevant education through certificate, diploma, and degree programs, to help reduce financial barriers
The scholarships also serve as a way to help expand opportunities for underrepresented groups, such as women, Indigenous learners, and new Canadians, to create a skilled and diverse workforce.
