York University will welcome two scholars to campus this fall who have earned the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships awarded for academic excellence, leadership in school and community life, and entrepreneurial talent.
Rathesh Balendran and Arma Khan have been named the 2016 recipients, and will begin their first year at York this fall.
Balendran, who comes from Abelard Centre for Education in Toronto, will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. He is the first Schulich Leader from Abelard Centre for Education.
Khan, who comes from Laura Secord Secondary School in St. Catharine’s, will pursue a Bachelor of Engineering. She is the second Schulich Leader to come from Laura Secord Secondary School.
The scholarship program, created by Canadian business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich three years ago, encourages high-school graduates to enter STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) studies. Administered by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, it provides funding at 20 universities across Canada for one scholarship for an undergraduate student enrolled in engineering and another scholarship for a student who is pursuing a non-engineering degree in a science, technology or mathematics program.
The 2015-16 academic year marks the fourth year of York University’s participation in the Schulich Leader Scholarship program. The program was made possible by the generous donation of Seymour Schulich, who has given more than $350 million in philanthropy in Canada and the United States, largely focused on education and health care.