Eleven international students have been granted entrance scholarship awards at York University. The scholarships and awards are for applicants with an exceptional academic profile, and who demonstrate leadership through community service or excellence in the arts or sport.
The awards mark the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the future York University students. Emerging atop an excellent class of applicants from countries all over the world, student recipients can mark an important milestone as they continue progressing towards their goals in and out of the classroom.
The recipients are:
International Entrance Scholarship of Distinction
- Musaddiq Ahmed – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- Young Woo Keum – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- Jordan Ssewakiryanga – Faculty of Science
Global Leader of Tomorrow Award for International Students
- La-Shaun Boothe – Lassonde School of Engineering
- Masoom Gaba – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
International Circle of Scholars
- Dwayne Adamah – Schulich School of Business
International Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Anees Ammar – Schulich School of Business
- Michael Forbes – Faculty of Science
- Abubaker Iqbal – Lassonde School of Engineering
- Takehiro Koshihara – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- Krishnika Raveendranathan – Lassonde School of Engineering
The International Entrance Scholarship of Distinction is valued at $35,000 and renewable for an additional three years.
“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,” said Ahmad, who hails from Pakistan and is eager to begin his studies in the Business & Society program. “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.”
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.
Keum, who demonstrated impressive grades and academic achievements, as well as extracurricular work, 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. 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.”
Adamah is the sole recipient of the International Circle of Scholars award, which is valued at $15,000 and is awarded for a student’s first year of study.
A recipient of the York University Academic Excellence Scholarship award – a first-year scholarship valued at $5,000 to $10,000 – 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 jump start 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.”