Two new faces on the York University campus this fall will be science students with a big name backing them, having received prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships for full undergraduate tuition.
Toronto high school students Yaakov Green and Arpit Sharma will each receive the $60,000 entrance award, part of a $100-million gift in perpetuity, with funding provided by Seymour 
Schulich on behalf of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. The program provides undergraduate entrance scholarships for students enrolling in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) areas of study at 20 Canadian universities.
Yaakov Green
"I am delighted that Yaakov and Arpit will begin their studies here at York this September in biology and biochemistry,” said Robert Tiffin, vice-president students. “They have the talent, background and abilities to make significant contributions to the York community during their studies and to Canada's scientific community in the future."
Both Green and Sharma will pursue undergraduate degrees in York’s Faculty of Science & Engineering. Green, who attends Yeshivat Or Chaim, will study biology, while Sharma, from Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School, will focus on biochemistry. They are among 40 secondary students from across Canada to receive Schulich Leader Scholarships in 2012.
Canadian high schools, secondary schools and CEGEPs were each eligible to nominate one Schulich Leader, based on two of three criteria:outstanding community/business leadership, academic excellence and financial need.
Arpit Sharma
Nominees then forwarded their candidacy to universities where they intended to submit formal applications for undergraduate study. Participating universities made the final selection of recipients for their respective institutions.
The scholarships are distributed during each Schulich Leader’sterm of undergraduate study. The granting of scholarships will start with the academic year, commencing in Fall 2012. In addition to the Canadian program, a similar Schulich Leader Scholarships program is being carried out in Israel.
For more information about the scholarship program, visit the Schulich Leaders Scholarships website.