A student from Markham is among 10 incoming students to the University of Waterloo who are recipients of generous and prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships. The awards encourage them to study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Eric Gao, a graduate of Unionville High School, receives $120,000 to study systems design engineering at Waterloo.
“Personally, I seek solutions in social interaction, education, sustainability, and frugal science,” Gao said. “My main goal is to build tools that can empower anyone to use their talents for good regardless of their circumstances. Pursuing systems design engineering at the University of Waterloo will prepare me to leverage engineering and design to tackle these issues.”
The scholars, known as Schulich Leaders, receive $100,000 or $120,000 to go towards their university education. More than 1,400 high school students were nominated this time, with 100 becoming Schulich Leaders.
“I am delighted to welcome this year’s cohort of Schulich Leader scholars to Waterloo’s campus,” said Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “These students represent some of the sharpest young minds in STEM and I am excited to see the game-changing contributions they will make to society.”
In 2012, business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established the scholarship fund worth more than $100 million in 2012 to address the increasing importance STEM disciplines will have on future prosperity.
“We are proud to celebrate the continued success of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the premiere STEM scholarship program in Canada,” Seymour Schulich said. “This group of 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.”
Here are the University of Waterloo’s 2023 Schulich Leaders: Eric Gao (Unionville High graduate), Evie Bouganim, Brandon De Lazzari, Mikael Haji, Scott Hao, Caroline Huang, Mahi Joshi, Manasva Katyal, Josephina Kim and Ammielle Wambo Becker.
Every high school in Canada can nominate one student for the scholarship. There are 100 scholarships awarded annually for study at one of 20 partner universities in this country.
Photo: Eric Gao (bottom right) is one of 10 incoming Waterloo students who received a Schulich Leader Scholarship.
