Four future Liberal Arts & Professional Studies students were recently awarded international scholarships to fund their education at York University, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey.
Emerging atop an excellent class of applicants from countries all over the world, student recipients Musaddiq Ahmed, Young Woo Keum, Masoom Gaba, and Takehiro Koshihara are elated by the recognition which marks an important milestone as they continue progressing towards their goals in and out of the classroom.
Ahmed and Keum were two of only three students selected for the prestigious International Entrance Scholarship of Distinction – valued at $35,000 and renewable for an additional three years. Hailing from Pakistan and Thailand respectively, both students demonstrate hard work, passion, and persistence in their pursuit to grow as individuals and contribute to changes that address major issues in the world around them.
Alongside impressive grades and academic achievements, extracurricular work devoted to worthy causes also factored in the success of their applications for the award. Both students set examples as active members of their communities, supporting various initiatives including women empowerment, access to education, and animal rights.
Starting their time at York in Fall 2020, the two award winners are eager to build upon their accomplishments thus far. Ahmed, majoring in Business & Society, is most excited about the chance to study in a new environment which will prepare him for a leadership role in the fight against economic injustices and other societal issues in his home country.
“York offers the perfect balance of top-notch academics, student clubs, and associations. From the first time I discovered the school online, it felt that I too could find my niche here,” he explained. “When it comes to my studies, I believe the program I selected is synonymous with freedom and progression. More generally, I was really drawn in by the LA&PS curriculum and its focus on an interdisciplinary approach towards education.”
Keum referred to York in a similar manner and expressed excitement about working towards his degree in Information Technology. When asked about the opportunity to achieve his academic dreams with the support of this major scholarship, he described it as a great honour.
“Ever since I was young, I always wanted to pursue an education in Canada. Winning this scholarship is still surreal, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the experience at York. The large student population is something I was intimidated by before, but am embracing now. I can’t wait to connect with new people, take full advantage of student activities, and enjoy living in the city of Toronto.”
Future Global Political Studies major Masoom Gaba echoed these sentiments when asked about how gratifying the recognition was. Coming from India, Gaba is the winner of the Global Leader of Tomorrow scholarship valued at $20,000 and eligible for continuation over the next three years. The accolade is very fitting. For years, she has been active in many charitable efforts – from mentoring underprivileged youth to taking the lead in causes to counter inequalities. Her chosen academic discipline will support her passion for positive outreach and impact on different communities, as she prepares for a career in social work.
“I’m so honoured to be a recipient of this award, and I’m very excited to be in a new country meeting new people, learning new skills, and making wonderful memories,” Gaba said. “After graduation, my ultimate goal is to start up an NGO to make the world a better place, without limiting my services to a particular group of people. Majoring in Global Political Studies at York will provide me with an excellent overview of international relations and politics.”
This year’s York University Academic Excellence Scholarship winner, Takehiro Koshihara, also possesses these impressive leadership qualities – never failing to produce superb work in the classroom, while simultaneously inspiring and assisting others. His award, valued at $10,000, will help to jumpstart the next phase of his education, as he enters his first year majoring in the Department of Social Science’s Business & Society program.
“For international students like myself, tuition fees can be challenging. Winning this scholarship has given me tremendous financial relief as I embark on this new journey,” Koshihara said. “Continuing my studies with LA&PS is very exciting. The faculty provides so many subjects, and the environment offers a diverse range of perspectives. It’s a great opportunity for me to grow as a person.”
Congratulations to each of this year’s international scholarship recipients!
Written by Andre McLean