TORONTO, ON - December 05, 2016 /CNW/ - Thanks to a $1 million gift from Scotiabank, OCAD University will develop a new initiative to foster the leading thinkers, designers and creative professionals needed to drive the national economic engine.

The Scotiabank Design Thinking Research Studio will allow the university to create a Design Thinking educational curriculum model and generate research, workshops, executive education and an annual open public forum.

"This collaboration is a tremendous opportunity for our students to engage in experiential learning to prepare for careers in this connected world," said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University. "Design Thinking is about empathizing with, listening to and observing people to identify and solve problems and improve their experiences. We are excited to exchange ideas with Scotiabank and learn from each other."

"A few years ago, banking wasn't associated with design, but today it's at the very heart of how Scotiabank looks to solve problems and interact with our customers. Design Thinking is about ensuring that we fundamentally understand the challenges that our customers face and then designing innovative solutions to meet their needs. It's about putting our customers first," said Michael Zerbs, Executive Vice President and Co-Head Information Technology, Enterprise Technology. "The Scotiabank Design Thinking Research Studio at OCAD University will give students the chance to work on real customer products and solutions in digital banking, and ultimately prepare them for future opportunities. Scotiabank's collaboration with OCAD U is one way we are supporting the next generation of talent in the digital age."

Scotiabank's commitment is part of the university's Ignite Imagination campaign, which will ensure students and faculty continue to have the ability to leverage the power of art, design and digital innovation to change the world for the better.

About OCAD University (OCAD U)

OCAD University (www.ocadu.ca) is Canada's university of the imagination. The university, founded in 1876, is dedicated to art, design and digital media education, practice and research, and to knowledge and invention across a wide range of disciplines.

About Scotiabank 
Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 88,000 employees and assets of $896 billion (as at October 31, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

For media enquiries only:
Christine Crosbie 
Media Relations Officer
OCAD University
416-977-6000 x4890 
ccrosbie@ocadu.ca

Erin Truax
Public, Corporate and Government Affairs
Scotiabank
416-471-5714
erin.truax@scotiabank.com

Nina Godard
Senior Account Manager
Edelman
416-850-0611
nina.godard@edelman.com