September 14, 1998 For Immediate Release

The Pacific Western Brewing Company has contributed $50,000 towards creation of a new $100,000 student computer lab at the University of Northern British Columbia's Prince George campus. The gift was matched by the Provincial Government.

The multimedia lab is located in room 5-161 in the Library building and has twenty stations. The computers are 266 Pentium IIs with CD-ROM and soundcard - technology that will allow students access to new research materials on CD. Each of the computers is also connected to the internet and to UNBC's fibre-optic network, which allows student access from the computer lab into areas such as the Library. The Prince George campus has 23-kilometres of fibre-optic cable serving as the backbone for the phone, computer, and audio-visual network.

The official unveiling of the new Computer Lab will be performed on Tuesday, September 15th at 10am in Library Room 5-161

"The pace of technological change means that even a relatively new university like UNBC must work to keep computer equipment up-to-date," says UNBC President Charles Jago. "We applaud the vision of Pacific Western Brewing in recognizing the importance of having excellent computer facilities at UNBC. Access to computers is important for all students, in all programs."

"The future of Canada rests in the education of its students and their attitudes," says Kazuko Komatsu, President and CEO of Pacific Western Brewing Company. "The attitude comes from their dealings and relationships with each other, to their community, and to their country. I sincerely hope that UNBC students will have the spirit to contribute to the betterment of their community."

The contribution of the computer lab is part of Pacific Western's $75,000 donation to UNBC. In recognition, Room 205 in the Conference Centre has been named in honour of Kazuko Komatsu and Pacific Western Brewing.