U of C graduate student wins international award from Schlumberger Foundation
Maha AbuHafeetha (here with an air quality tester) is one of only two people in Canada to win a 2009 Faculty of the Future Award.
/ Photo: Ken BendiktsenU of C graduate student Maha AbuHafeetha was selected from a pool of 134 applicants from around the world for a $50,000 research grant from the Schlumberger Foundation. AbuHafeetha is one of only two people in Canada to win a 2009 Faculty of the Future Award.
AbuHafeetha is pursuing her master’s degree at the Schulich School of Engineering and the Faculty of Environmental Design. Her research focuses on environmental management and energy conservation in building sustainability. She has an undergraduate degree in architectural engineering from An-Najah National University in Palestine. In September 2009, AbuHafeetha will enter the PhD program at the University of Calgary. She will investigate the effect of indoor air quality in schools on children’s health, well-being and academic performance.
“It’s an honour to be recognized for my work, and receiving this scholarship motivates me to continue to strive for excellence,” says AbuHafeetha. “Support from this award enables me to concentrate more on university work without having to worry about finances for my tuition and research instruments during the course of my PhD.”
The award will also help her achieve her dream of becoming a professor, AbuHafeetha adds.
The Schlumberger Foundation awards Faculty of the Future grants each year to several women around the world who demonstrate leadership and research excellence. The goal is to facilitate gender balance at key universities around the world and attract more women to science and engineering careers.
“I hope my experience at the University of Calgary inspires more females to pursue studies and careers in science and technology at key universities in developing and emerging economies. The idea is that recipients will return to their home countries after their studies and use their knowledge to benefit the community,” says AbuHafeetha.
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April 20, 2009