Creating impact and change: Our Stantec/Sens Community Foundation STEM award winners

Meet this year’s recipients and learn how they plan to contribute to the field of STEM to create impact and change:

Alishfa Hossain, Biomedical Science, University of Ottawa

“For the longest time, I was unsure of what path to take in life. It wasn't until I took a health science course in grade eleven that I discovered my fascination with biology. The complexities of the human body seemed so simple on the surface, yet were incredibly complex upon closer inspection. I craved to learn more and become a researcher. As a first-generation child of Bengali immigrants, my parents had a holistic approach when it came to medicine. I have wondered why these spices and herbs worked the way they did, and so effectively. I want to research the medicinal potency of spices and herbs to find a way to utilize them into modern medicine in order to cure or improve existing and emerging diseases.”

Maryam Lim-Baig, Software Engineering, Carleton University

“In grade nine, I found out about the Global Technovation Challenge. With little to no experience in business or engineering, I went into this challenge with barely anything. But, I knew one thing: I wanted to create real world solutions in order to improve lives around the world, and food is a basic necessity. I got to explore the intersection of business and engineering. I wanted to build a non-profit app where people can donate a percentage of their groceries in order to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) of zero hunger.

Through the Technovation Challenge, I learned something new. Rather than just me doing something directly, it was more important to impact others and inspire them to continue doing the same. It is a key reason as to why I chose the “zero hunger” UN SDG and made my app accessible to everyone. If I could positively impact one person to help others, they may also influence those around them.

Alyssa Oliver, Dental Hygiene, Algonquin College

“For a while now, my life has not been easy. I have been forced to deal with the struggles of facing challenges both in and out of school hours. My home life has been, and still is highly complicated. I have slept in many strangers' couches and floors and I'd consider it lucky if we spent the night in a hotel. I spent nights crying myself to sleep wondering when I could finally live a decently stable life. I am writing this now in a bedroom that I cannot proudly call my own. I will not lie and say that my home life has become healthier. But for now, it can be considered a step in the right direction. I am in grade twelve and entering college soon with the highest marks I have ever gotten. Many may not know what I’ve been through, but I do. I am proud of myself, and my past. I plan on contributing the strength and skills I have gained towards my future in the field of STEM.

Khadija Sediqi, Computer Science, either University of Ottawa or University of Carlton

“Over the past few years, I have immersed myself in coding classes, finding immense joy and fulfillment in the process of learning and creating with technology. It is within this field that I see boundless opportunities to effect transformative change, both locally and globally. My passion for computer science has led me to embark on a project that holds great significance to me: the creation of a website aimed at teaching coding to girls in Afghanistan. Recognizing the barriers that many young girls in Afghanistan face in accessing quality education, particularly in fields like STEM, I felt compelled to take action. Through my coding skills and determination, I developed a platform that provides accessible and engaging coding tutorials tailored specifically to the needs and interests of young girls in Afghanistan.”

In addition to the bursary award, each winner was invited along with a guardian to watch the Senators take on the Florida Panthers in a suite on April 4. We are proud of these young scholars and look forward to all they accomplish as they work towards making impacts and change in our world through STEM.

Learn more about our scholarships across the globe.