Two university students receive Schulich Leader Scholarships

Tingting Yan and Manpreet Deol have been named the University of Calgary’s recipients of the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships.

Created in 2011 by Canadian business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich, this annual scholarship program encourages promising high school graduates to embrace science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in their future careers. This year, there were 1,250 Schulich Leader Scholarship nominees from across Canada vying for these 50 new scholarships.

“Fostering leadership in STEM fields is vital to Canada’s economic prosperity,” says Schulich. “It is immensely important to invest in the next generation of technology innovators as they develop and hone their minds and skills to contribute to our national and global community.”

Tingting Yan

Yan, 17, is a recipient of the award valued at $60,000. She is a graduate of Calgary's Sir Winston Churchill High School, entering the Bachelor of Health Sciences program this fall. Yan was selected for her leadership and ingenuity that has led her to excel. She placed second in a national public speaking championship and won a Royal Conservatory of Music provincial gold medal in 2014 for having the highest marks in speech arts and drama.

Her interest in medicine inspired her to pursue volunteer opportunities at local hospitals. She won the Heritage Youth Researcher Summer Scholarship and the Heritage Biomedical Research Scholarship. Yan is currently working on researching stroke rehabilitation at the University of Calgary.

Manpreet Deol

Deol, 18, is a recipient of the scholarship valued at $80,000. A graduate of York House School in Vancouver, B.C., Deol is entering the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program this fall. Deol’s outstanding academic achievements and involvement in STEM-based initiatives along with her participation in the University of Calgary’s Shad Valley program, earned her the award.

During Shad Valley, Deol helped create a health-care startup company, by designing a wrist-worn medical device. She has been repeatedly recognized in her school community as a well-rounded student and leader. Deol also represented Vancouver at two B.C. Winter Games competitions for short-track speedskating.

The University of Calgary currently has eight Schulich leaders enrolled in STEM programs.