Abu Dhabi: An Indian student based in the United Arab Emirates has won more than a million dirhams in scholarships – named after Lester B. Pearson, the former Canadian Prime Minister and Nobel laureate – at the University from Toronto in Canada.
Candace Sara Ciju, an alumnus of GEMS United Indian School, Abu Dhabi, has been named among the top five of 37 global recipients of the scholarship which fully covers tuition, living expenses, food, books, stationery , health insurance, incidentals and so on for the duration of Candace’s undergraduate studies for four years.
“The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship was created to bring outstanding students from around the world to study at the University of Toronto. We are pleased to announce and welcome these outstanding students as members of the 2022 cohort of recipients,” the University of Toronto (U of T) said on its website.
Separate Opportunities
In addition to the unique Pearson cohort experience, the award provides distinct opportunities such as work-integrated learning, an international learning experience with one of U of T’s many international partner universities, on-campus work-study opportunities, peer mentoring and more.
A jubilant Candace said: “I am thrilled and incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a Pearson Scholar this year at the U of T, which is the number one university in Canada and has consistently ranked among the top ten public universities. in the world. great rankings.
She said she was proud to win the scholarship, which is fiercely competitive and illustrious with an acceptance rate of 1.5%, which is lower than that of Harvard University. The total net worth of this scholarship is more than 1 million dirhams.
Candace is currently part of the Faculty of Arts and Science at the U of T. Her major is currently undeclared, but after a year of coursework exploration, she plans to double major in history and political science /international relationships.
UAE Opportunities
“Having grown up in an environment rich in culture and heritage, my interests have always been oriented towards History. Although of Indian nationality, I have always lived in Abu Dhabi. Thanks to prestigious awards such as the ‘Sheikh Hamdan Award’, the ‘Sharjah Award’ and the ‘Sheikha Fatima Award’, the United Arab Emirates has given me many opportunities, making me the person I am today. Candace said.
Candace said she was proud to win the scholarship, which is fiercely competitive and illustrious with an acceptance rate of 1.5%.
Image Credit: Supplied
“Leadership is a value that I hold dear and I have honed mine as Vice Principal of my school (2019), Principal (2020-2021) and, finally, President (2022). I have initiated several programs for students at my school with the help of my team, including ‘UIS Masterclasses’, ‘G Month: Month of Generosity’, ‘UIS Blog’, ‘Anti-Bullying Squad’, clubs, carnivals and lots of fun. ‘others.”
A passionate writer and debater, Candace served as her school’s newsletter editor from 2020-2022, as well as crisis director for ISU Model United Nations. “In addition to writing and debating, I enjoy reading, acting, playing ukulele, chess, painting, badminton and cooking.”
Sustainable initiatives
“As an environmentalist, I am deeply committed to sustainability, which led me to become one of the UAE’s Sustainability Ambassadors with ‘MASDAR’, a global leader in renewable energy and urban development In 2012, I also founded the ‘Re-Use of Books Campaign’, which collects used books in good condition so that they can be reused by others.
To date, the initiative has collected over 11,000 books. “I sincerely hope to be able to continue this initiative at the University of Toronto. Volunteering has also proven to be a rewarding experience for me. Some of my volunteering experiences include my time as a media and communications volunteer at the Abu Dhabi 2019 Special Olympics, as well as a student ambassador with ‘NAHTAM Social Responsibility’ (a private voluntary organization) .
Candace said she hopes to apply her learnings from the University of Toronto to achieve her goals, such as using her communications and writing background to work as a journalist, or using her diplomatic and people skills at the United Nations.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”