WATERLOO, Ont. - The founder of Research In Motion and his wife are giving $21 million to the University of Waterloo's science and mathematics faculties.
It's just the latest gift from Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis, who have donated more than $123 million to the southern Ontario university.
Half of the $20-million pledge to the Faculty of Science is to help fund two senior research chairs in the areas of condensed matter and astrophysics.
The remaining $10 million will go towards an expanding a new science building to house undergraduate laboratories, classrooms and student support areas.
The Faculty of Mathematics will receive $1 million for scholarships covering expenses for four years of study.
Lazaridis, who recently stepped down as co-CEO of Research in Motion (TSX:RIM), says scientific research is key to innovation, which is needed more than ever.
