Creating world-class leaders

Updated on: Monday, September 20, 2010

Three meritorious Indian students — Shreya Shukla, Nigil Haroon and Channakeshava Sokke Umeshappa have been awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate scholarships, one of Canada’s most prestigious awards for doctoral studies. The students will receive $50,000 each, per year for three years from the Government of Canada for their studies at Canadian universities.

Shreya Shukla will study immunology-transplantation while Nigil Haroon has opted for muscle, bone, or joint immunogenetic influences on the clinical phenotype of ankylosing spondylitis. Both of them will be enrolled at the University of Toronto. Channakeshava Sokke Umeshappa on the other hand will also pursue a programme in immunology-transplantation at the University of Saskatchewan.

Selected for demonstrating leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, or health-related fields, this year’s 174 Vanier scholars come from across Canada and around the world. “As an international student, I am very grateful to the Canadian Government for providing me with the opportunity to apply for the Vanier Scholarship,” said Shreya Shukla adding that she hoped to contribute to the development of an “economically viable and broadly available stem-cell based vaccine for HIV.’’ The award, she said would enable her to pursue that vision in the “highly innovative research environment at the Zandstra laboratory in the University of Toronto.”

“The award has helped me immensely in my pursuit of a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto,” said Nigil Haroon, adding that he would have the unique opportunity to do a clinical fellowship in rhematology and basic research in the immunogenetics of spondylitis under the guidance of Dr. Robert D. Inman, an eminent researcher and leader in the field.

“There are many talented researchers in India who can benefit from this programme and indulge in a rewarding experience in one of the best academic environments in the world and ultimately bring back an improved and expanded repertoire of skills,” Haroon said.

“The Vanier Canada Graduate scholarship allows me to focus on my research without any financial burden,” said Channakeshava Sokke Umeshappa, who reiterated that the scholarships identify budding researchers around the world and help them become world-class leaders in research.

Creating world-class leaders

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