New scholarship program recognizes computer science students
from underserved communities with exceptional academic and
extracurricular achievements
10 graduating high school students from British Columbia, Ontario and New
Brunswick rewarded with $30,000 towards four-year university
tuition
TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2021 /CNW/ - (NASDAQ:
AMZN)—Amazon today announced the first recipients of the
Amazon Future Engineer Canada university scholarship program. Ten
graduating high school students from across the country will each
receive $30,000 to help cover
university tuition over four years. They will also have the
opportunity to complete a paid summer internship at one of Amazon's
Canadian Tech Hubs.
The Amazon Future Engineer scholarship program recognizes
graduating high school students from underserved and
underrepresented communities who have demonstrated financial need,
exceptional academic performance and leadership in school, work and
community activities. To qualify, candidates must plan to study
computer science or a related field at an accredited Canadian
university.
"At Amazon, we are committed to helping more children and young
adults, especially those from underserved and underrepresented
communities," said Susan Ibach, Head
of Amazon Future Engineer Canada. "Fostering diversity in the
Canadian tech sector starts with ensuring that students from all
backgrounds are able to discover computer science and pursue
postsecondary education, focusing on their studies instead of
financial concerns. This inaugural Canadian Amazon Future Engineer
scholarship class has demonstrated a broad range of academic and
extracurricular achievements. Amazon is thrilled to support them
during this next chapter of their education."
For scholarship winner Melvin Teo
from Vancouver, BC, growing up in
a low-income household served as motivation to seize every
available learning opportunity. Determined to make a positive
difference in his community, Melvin served as President of the
Kensington Community Centre Youth Council. He spearheaded the
Kensington Neighbourhood Recycling Bottle Drive initiative, which
processed more than 8,000 recyclable bottles despite challenges
related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the classroom, Melvin nurtured
a passion for computer science. "After discovering the
possibilities related to creating something from nothing with code,
I hope to make a difference by creating opportunities for others to
explore and develop a passion for technology," he said.
As the first woman in her family to study computer science and
engineering, Yusra Saifuddin from
Toronto, ON is passionate about
engaging underrepresented communities in STEM. She volunteered as a
Youth Facilitator with the local non-profit Visions of Science
Network for Learning, preparing and delivering weekly STEM modules
to young people and refugees living in marginalized communities. At
school, she excelled in a highly enriched math and science program,
which helped her recognize the potential to take her talent for
computer science to the next level. "I am very proud to represent
my community and continue to give back by inspiring and empowering
the next generation of students from underrepresented communities.
The Amazon Future Engineer scholarship will truly make a difference
in furthering my education and will allow me to achieve my goals,"
she said.
The list of Amazon Future Engineer Canada scholarship winners in
2021 includes:
- Praise Erianamie (Etobicoke,
ON), enrolled in the TrackOne program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science
& Engineering
- Shivam Jindal (Mississauga, ON), studying Software
Engineering at the University of
Waterloo
- Mulei Mao (Scarborough, ON)
studying Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the
University of Waterloo
- Sophia Nguyen (Toronto, ON), studying Software Engineering at
the University of Waterloo
- Youssef Rachad (Barrie, ON), studying Engineering Science at
the University of Toronto Faculty of
Applied Science & Engineering
- Joonhan Ryo (Moncton, NB)
studying Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science
& Engineering
- Yusra Saifuddin (Toronto, ON), studying Electrical and Computer
Engineering at the University of
Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
- Melvin Teo (Vancouver, BC), studying Computer Science at
the University of British Columbia
A video of the winners can be viewed here.
Amazon Future Engineer is a comprehensive program designed to
inspire, educate, and prepare children and young adults from
underrepresented and underserved communities to pursue computer
science. As part of Amazon's commitment to strengthening the
communities it is proud to call home, the company is investing
$3 million (CAD) over three years to
fund unique computer science learning opportunities for an
anticipated 1 million students and teachers across the country. The
program works in close collaboration with partners Canada Learning
Code, FIRST Robotics Canada, Kids Code Jeunesse, and
TakingITGlobal.
In addition to its scholarship and internship program, Amazon
Future Engineer gives elementary, middle, and high school students
from diverse communities around the globe access to computer
science educational opportunities where they can explore
project-based learning, using code to make music, program robots,
and solve problems.
Schools, administrators, and teachers interested in
participating in Amazon Future Engineer can learn more by
visiting AmazonFutureEngineer.ca.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather
than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to
operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to
be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer,
and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click
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and follow @AmazonNews.
SOURCE Amazon Canada