Algoma University’s Bioscience and Technology Convergence Centre has been renamed to honour one of the school’s most generous benefactors.

In a dedication ceremony attended by Canada’s governor general, David Johnson, the building was renamed the Essar Convergence Centre, in acknowledgement of the steel manufacturer’s $1-million donation to the school for its Essential Elements campaign, which aims to raise $6 million for use towards facilities and bursaries for students.

"Essar has proven to be a generous corporate citizen in Sault Ste. Marie, and their donation will assist the university to properly outfit this new facility with the resources our people need to do world-class teaching and research," school president Richard Myers said in a news release. "It is only fitting that we recognize their contribution in this way."

Funding comes from Essar’s Community Investment Fund, which supports community projects focused on health, safety and environment; education; social services; and recreation and culture.

"Essar Steel Algoma supports initiatives that serve to develop a sustained supply of skilled labour, grow future community leaders, promote academic excellence and facilitate lifelong learning for our employees and their families,” Essar CEO Jim Hrusovsky said in the release. “Algoma University embodies our strong belief in education, and the convergence centre offers sustainable benefit to our community by providing the platform whereby innovative ideas can be converted into transformational technological advances and progressive commercial enterprises."