New Delhi : Ashoka University today announced that Mohit Kumar, a student of the University, has become the first and only Indian to win the McCall MacBain Global Scholarship provided by McGill University in Montréal, Canada this year. He is one of the 10 global recipients of the scholarship.
The scholarships are the result of a landmark C$200 million contribution (about INR 1,218 crore) in 2019 by John and Marcy McCall MacBain, the second-largest single donation in Canadian history. Designed to encourage purposeful leadership, the scholarships enable students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University. It further entails mentorship, coaching, and a leadership development program.
Speaking on this development, Mohit Kumar stated, “When Marcy McCall MacBain personally informed me that I had been selected, I was overwhelmed with joy. It is a significant moment for me, my family and university. I hope this development opens a window of global dreams for my community and other students across India. I look forward to my experience of studying in Montréal, one of the best cities in the world.”
Sharing her thoughts, Natasha Sawh, Dean of the McCall MacBain Scholarships said, “Mohit’s selection is a tribute to the time and energy he has put into improving the lives of others”. She further added, “Our volunteers looked not only for academic strength, but for leadership qualities like integrity, kindness, grit, and an ability to motivate a team to address tough challenges.”
From Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Mohit is studying History, International Relations, and Persian at Ashoka University. Since 2019, he has been working to improve literacy in his community through ‘Sarathi: The Guide’. His project has expanded to mobilize 45 volunteers to support the educational journey of 850 students in 10 villages. He also actively mentors and tutors his peers at the university; he works as an office counsellor for the Young Scholars Program at Ashoka. He plans to pursue a two-year master’s degree in education at McGill University.
To recognize additional talent, the McCall MacBain Scholarships and McGill University also offered 96 entrance awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each to top candidates who were not selected for the cohort. Ashoka student Rohit Vasishta has won a $20,000 award as an international finalist.
Both Mohit and Rohit have been accepted into masters programmes at McGill University in Canada where they will begin their graduate studies in fall 2023.
Vanita Shastri, Dean of Global Education and Strategic Partnerships, Ashoka University said, “We feel proud of our students for leaving their mark at the global stage, and congratulate them and their parents on this achievement. At Ashoka, it has always been our endeavour to impart high quality education, foster an inclusive environment and provide global opportunities to our students. This is an essential ethos, that allows development of future leaders who will contribute towards creating a better society.”
Each scholar for the McCall MacBain scholarship was chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity. They also underwent a rigorous seven-month selection process, including a final round of interviews in Montréal.
