Twelve students awarded RBC Royal Bank scholarships for
new Canadians
TORONTO, November 17, 2008 — Twelve students
from across Canada were honoured during a special dinner at
the Ontario Heritage Centre in downtown Toronto on November
15. These students were selected from over one thousand applicants
to be the recipients of the second annual RBC Royal Bank Scholarship
for New Canadians.
Also speaking at the event was one of Canada's best-known
youth and social justice advocates, Michelle Dagnino. The
recipient of over a dozen awards for work in communities around
the world, Ms. Dagnino left many in the audience feeling optimistic
and empowered about their role in shaping future generations
and cultivating leadership in a variety of areas.
RBC launched the scholarship program last year to recognize
the important role immigration plays in Canada's cultural,
social and economic development. The program is aimed at individuals
who have been through the immigration experience, graduated
high school or CEGEP, and are planning to pursue full-time
studies at an accredited Canadian college or university this
fall.
"We are extremely impressed with the calibre of students
who applied for the RBC scholarship," said Manisha Burman,
director, RBC Multicultural Markets. "Immigrating and
succeeding in a new country can be very challenging, and their
remarkable journeys are worthy of these awards."
Ms. Burman added: "RBC has made a long-term commitment
to assist newcomers to Canada and help them to succeed. This
scholarship program is one more way for us to deliver on that
promise."
The winners of the award represent a cross-section of nationalities
from all over the world, and come from China, Taiwan, the
United Kingdom, India, Germany, Iran and Australia.
Scholarships were awarded based on academic achievement,
and applicants' responses to three, 250-word essay questions
about how immigration has shaped Canada, along with their
personal experiences and advice to others going through similar
experiences.
The recipients of the RBC Royal Bank Scholarship for New
Canadians for 2008 are:
Ms. Brahamjot Moondi, age 18
Country of Origin: Newport, United Kingdom
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario
Program: Business Management and Organizational Studies,
University of Western Ontario
Ambition: Chartered Accounting, followed by a career
in business leadership
Ms. Chibeze Ojukwu, age 18
Country of Origin: Sydney, Australia
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Program: Political Studies with a minor in Anthropology,
University of Saskatchewan
Ambition: Work with Doctors without Borders, followed
by a career in medicine
Ms. Janet Xu, age 18
Country of Origin: Shanghai, China
Hometown: Surrey, British Columbia
Program: Science, University of British Columbia
Ambition: A career in medicine
Ms. Jenny Duong, age 17
Country of Origin: Hong Kong, China
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Program: Humanities with double minor in English Literature
and French, University of Toronto
Ambition: Graduate studies, followed by a career in
teaching or journalism
Mr. Karanbir Gill, age 18
Country of Origin: Chandigarh, India
Hometown: Surrey, British Columbia
Program: Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Engineering),
University of British Columbia
Ambition: An MBA followed by a career at a technology
company
Mr. Kevin Zhou, age 18
Country of Origin: Beijing, China
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Program: Engineering, University of Western Ontario
Ambition: An MBA followed by a career in finance or
engineering
Mr. Paul Mou, age 18
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Hometown: Stouffville, Ontario
Program: System Design, University of Waterloo
Ambition: A doctorate in computer science followed
by a career in robotics
Ms. Serena Chin, age 18
Country of Origin: Dagenham, United Kingdom
Hometown: Markham, Ontario
Program: International Bachelor of Business Administration,
Schulich School of Business, York University
Ambition: An MBA followed by a business leadership
role
Mr. Toby Woerthle, age 18
Country of Origin: Heilbronn, Germany
Hometown: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Program: Computer Science, University of Waterloo
Ambition: Owning a software business
Ms. Yelin Yang, age 18
Country of Origin: Shanghai, China
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario
Program: Health Sciences, McMaster University
Ambition: A career in pediatrics
Ms. Yili Wang, age 18
Country of Origin: Panjin, China
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario
Program: Life Sciences, University of Toronto
Ambition: A career in medicine
Mr. Ashkan Pishvaei, age 18
Country of Origin: Tehran, Iran
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Program: Bachelor of Arts, followed by Commerce in
Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia
Ambition: Owning an accounting firm
Applicants for the scholarships must have been born outside
of Canada, and be either permanent residents or citizens of
Canada. They also must have achieved at least a 70 per cent
average in their previous year of study.
For more information about the RBC Royal Bank Scholarship
for New Canadians, please visit: www.rbcroyalbank.com/scholarships/newcanadians.
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[download
hi-res JPG, 2.8MB] Twelve students received the 2008
RBC Royal Bank Scholarship for New Canadians. They were
honored at a celebratory dinner in Toronto on Saturday.
Pictured here are 11 of the winners from across Canada
with RBC's Manisha Burman, Director, Multicultural Markets,
(far left) and Gord Hundal, Regional Vice President, (far
right).
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For more information, please contact:
Linda Sadlowski, 416-974-1754
Stephanie Lu, 416-974-5506
Note to photo editors: Please visit the CNW Photo
Network for a photo of award recipients.
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