91亚色U Schulich Leader Scholarship winners share passion for solving global challenges
Two incoming Lassonde School of Engineering students awarded coveted Schulich Leader Scholarship
TORONTO, June 28, 2021听鈥揟wo graduating high school students from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are headed to 91亚色 this fall to begin their studies in engineering with the help of the Schulich Leader Scholarship program.
Incoming Lassonde School of Engineering students Aryan Soni and Kiara Mavalwala are among this year to receive the Schulich Leader Scholarship for undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). There were 1,400 nominations this year, from a larger pool of 350,000 high-school candidates. The Schulich Leader Scholarship, now in its 10th year, is awarded to students entering university studies in听science, technology, engineering听or math who听demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, charisma and creativity.
Soni is receiving $80,000 over four years to pursue computer science studies at Lassonde. As student body president at Heart Lake Secondary School, he launched a school-wide charitable听initiative听in听collaboration with Samsung听to support SickKids. He also co-founded a charity that sponsors underprivileged students in India,听raising听enough funds听to sponsor 45 years of tuition for 15 students to date.听In 2020 he founded听Ultrain听Athletics, an e-commerce business听that听addresses听the听rising听demand听for听at-home fitness products during COVID-19.听Soni hopes to one day launch an AI start-up to democratize algorithmic investing.
鈥淚 would like to extend my gratitude to the Schulich Foundation, the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and the Lassonde School of Engineering for this incredible opportunity,鈥 said Soni.听鈥淲ith the backing of this scholarship, I look forward to employing my passion for computer science to facilitate positive change.鈥
Mavalwala is receiving $100,000 over four years to pursue engineering, also at Lassonde. A graduate of St. Augustine Catholic High School, Mavalwala was an executive at her school鈥檚 chapter of Best Buddies and was instrumental in transitioning its activities online. This ensured students with and without disabilities remained engaged at a time when they most needed an inclusive space. In her role as president at youth organization Project 5K, she championed several volunteer events, resulting in more than 70 students participating in free online tutoring, more than 850 items being donated to local shelters and 1,200 Valentine鈥檚 Day cards being sent to essential workers 鈥 all while challenged with the pandemic. A decade from now, Mavalwala hopes to be working as an engineer and to be the CEO of an engineering start-up to eradicate water advisories in Indigenous communities across Canada.
"I鈥檓 excited to be working alongside bright minds at the Lassonde School of Engineering where the sky is the limit," said Mavalwala.
鈥淲e are proud to celebrate 10 years of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the premiere STEM scholarship program in Canada and the world.听This group of 100 outstanding students will represent the best and brightest Canada has to offer and will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale. With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurriculars, and entrepreneurial ventures. They are the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators,鈥 said the program鈥檚 founder Seymour Schulich.
Schulich Leader Scholarships Canada
Recognizing the increasing importance and impact that STEM disciplines will have on the prosperity of future generations, businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established this $100+ million scholarship fund in 2012 to encourage our best and brightest students to become Schulich Leader Scholars: the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators.
Through The Schulich Foundation, these prestigious entrance scholarships are awarded to 100 high school graduates this year, enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate program at 20 partner universities in Canada. Every high school in Canada can submit one Schulich Leader Nominee per academic year based on academic excellence in STEM, entrepreneurial leadership and financial need.
About 91亚色
91亚色听is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.
Media contact:听Anjum Nayyar, 91亚色 Media Relations, cell 437 242 1547,听anayyar@yorku.ca
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