Launched in 2014 as part of MindFuel’s 25th anniversary celebration, our scholarships are an investment in Alberta’s future and were created to honor the amazing work of three dedicated, longtime MindFuel supporters who embody our values. With funding support from ASTech Foundation, the ASTech Foundation Scholarship was added to our roster in 2016, followed by the ASTech-GrowSafe Systems Scholarship in 2018.
Applications open each spring to a student who is graduating from an Alberta high school and entering their first year in an undergraduate program in a STEM-based field at an Alberta-based post-secondary institution. The following five graduates are recipients of the MindFuel/ASTech scholarships in 2018:
Nimaya De Silva
James (Jim) Gray Scholarship ($5000) – Nimaya De Silva (Lethbridge)
Accepted into the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Calgary, Nimaya and is working towards her goal of becoming either a biomedical engineer, family physician or medical scientist. Nimaya has phenomenal leadership skills and a strong passion for the sciences, she has worked as a student leader on an iGEM team for past three years and is passionate about working within her community, regularly volunteering with Chinook Regional Hospital and Canadian Blood Services.
Ryane Fyith-McArthur
Anne Tingle Scholarship ($2500) – Ryane Fyith-McArthur (Lac La Biche)
Attending the University of Alberta and entering her first year in the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology program, Ryane hopes to become either a surgeon, OBGYN, or sports medicine professional. Ryane is an active student athlete who plays on a variety of teams while maintaining her roles with the Student Union, Leadership Group, and working as a private tutor for multiple students.
Ben Lokanc
Dr. Arlene Ponting Scholarship ($2500) – Ben Lokanc (Calgary)
Starting this fall, Ben entered the Engineering and Bachelor of Applied Science program at the University of Calgary, studying to one day become either a software computer engineer or biomedical engineer. Ben is an active student athlete who has a passion for understanding how things work. When playing football, Ben would regularly think about the impact of a hit on the body instead of just looking at the hit itself.
Bushara Anjum
ASTech Scholarship ($2500) – Bushra Anjum (Edmonton)
Enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program at the University of Alberta, Bushra is working toward her future career as a pediatrician. Passionate about science and making a positive impact on the lives of others, Bushra has participated in the Heritage Youth Summer Researcher Program and has volunteered for the past 10 years with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association.
Femi Akinola
ASTech-GrowSafe Systems Scholarship ($2500) – Femi Akinola (Red Deer)
Entering her first year in the Bachelor of Science Chemical Engineering program at the University of Alberta, Femi hopes to one day change the world by developing sustainable solutions for clean water globally. An active student and athlete – involved in track and field, as well as soccer – Femi has participated in Model United Nations, the Junior Achievement Company program, the Red Deer Student Advisory Council, the 4-H robotics team, and volunteer with the Red Deer Regional Hospital.
Congratulations to the 2018 Scholarship winners for your well-deserved award! And thank you to ASTech Foundation and our many individual donors who make these scholarships possible each year.
Wondering how you can invest in students like Nimaya, Ryane, Ben, Bushra and Femi to help build the future of STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship in Alberta? Find out more about how you can contribute at mindfuel.ca/scholarships.
