Vector Institute announces nearly $2 million in scholarships for top Ontario AI graduate students

May 8, 2024

2024 Scholarship
  • 115 recipients were awarded a $17,500 merit-based scholarship from the Vector Institute for the 2024-25 academic year
  • Over 682 scholarships have been awarded since the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence program launched in 2018
  • Over 90 percent of graduates are hired and remain in Ontario after graduation

TORONTO, May 8, 2024 – Today, the Vector Institute announced the 115 recipients of the 2024-25 Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence (VSAI). These $17,500 merit-based scholarships are awarded to top candidates enrolled in Vector-recognized master’s programs or pursuing individualized AI study paths at universities across Ontario.

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“Vector is exceptionally proud of the high caliber and rich diversity of this year’s student cohort. Our Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence is a key part of Vector’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of AI experts. By equipping them with the most sought-after AI skills and cultivating an ecosystem that encourages them to build their future in Ontario, Vector is ensuring that the top-AI talent strengthens Canada’s economy as we drive AI adoption and reinforce our position as a global AI leader.”

Melissa Judd

Vector’s Vice President, Research Operations and Academic Partnerships

This year’s VSAI recipients come from diverse academic backgrounds including engineering, computer science, health informatics, and business analytics. Upon graduation, they will join Ontario’s growing community of highly-skilled AI talent. In total, the 2024-25 cohort was awarded over $2 million in scholarship funding.

Beyond financial support, VSAI recipients and students enrolled in master’s programs recognized by the Vector Institute can attend events and talks that put them face-to-face with top AI researchers and teams from top Canadian employers, providing unique career opportunities. The master’s students are also given access to Vector’s Digital Talent Hub, networking events, and AI-specific professional development programming to ensure they are ready to join the workforce. Since 2018, Ontario companies and organizations have hired more than 2,000 Vector-affiliated students from AI master’s programs, including VSAI recipients.

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“It is an honour to be recognized by the Vector Institute, and I am grateful for the opportunity that this award affords me to continue my research in artificial intelligence. It is no secret that AI is reshaping the world around us, and I am excited to be a part of the local community working to leverage its power in innovative ways.”

Charlotte Barnes

MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI, University of Guelph

This seventh round of VSAI recipients will attend 14 universities across Ontario. Six hundred and eighty two have been awarded since the program launched in 2018, and the number of Vector-recognized AI master’s programs has grown to 26 across Ontario, reflecting the rising need for AI talent.

This marks the third year in a row that Ontario universities have surpassed the province’s ambitious AI talent goal of 1,000 AI master’s graduates per year. These graduates are also in high demand, with over 90 percent building their careers here in Ontario’s vibrant AI ecosystem.

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“On behalf of the Government of Ontario, we’d like to congratulate the 115 talented students who are recipients of the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence. Ontario is a leading source of tech and AI talent, and by fostering innovation in critical technologies, we are enabling domestic companies to compete and win on the global stage. Thank you, Vector Institute, for your continued support of the next generation of Ontario’s AI talent.”

The Honourable Vic Fedeli

Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

This year’s scholarship program was supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The 2025-26 scholarship nomination dates will be announced in Fall 2024. Learn more about the Vector Scholarship in AI.

Explore Vector’s list of 2024 recipients here.

University
Program
Name

Carleton University

Master of Computer Science

Yassin, Yousef

University
Program
Name

Lakehead University

MSc in Computer Science, Applied AI

Boyle, Tanner

University
Program
Name

McMaster University

MASc in Computational Science and Engineering

Falahati, Ali

MASc in Software Engineering

Trandinh, Winnie

MSc in Computer Science

Xue, Yuanqi

University
Program
Name

Queen’s University

MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of study in AI

Asad, Ali

MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of study in AI

Bayley, Adam

MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of study in AI

Shama, Ethan

MSc in Computing, Field of study in AI

De Venezia, Rebecca

MSc in Computing, Field of study in AI

Ilie, Teo

MSc in Physics

Babayan, Irina

University
Program
Name

Queen’s University, Smith School of Business

Master of Management in AI

Bingeman, Laura

Master of Management Analytics

Battu, Ranveer

Master of Management Analytics

Belimova, Tatiana

University
Program
Name

Toronto Metropolitan University

MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, AI Concentration

Meyappan, Vaishali Meena

MSc in Data Science and Analytics

Das, Sharmi

MSc in Data Science and Analytics

Parmar, Tanish

University
Program
Name

University of Guelph

MSc in Applied Statistics, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Kopel, Kayla

MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Barnes, Charlotte

MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Chereddy, Spandana

MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Vinden, Nicholas

University
Program
Name

University of Ottawa

MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Applied AI

Albarham, Mohammad

MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Applied AI

Zhang, Yueteng

MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Applied AI

Faghihi, Armina

MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in Applied AI

Sabourin, Nicole

MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in Applied AI

Xu, Ximei

University
Program
Name

University of Toronto

Executive Master of Health Informatics

Myslik, Frank

Executive Master of Health Informatics

Wong, Jonathan

MASc in Aerospace Science and Engineering, Robotics and AI

Jiao, Aoran

MASc in Aerospace Science and Engineering, Robotics and AI

Sahak, Hshmat

MASc in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Khaki, Samir

MSc in Applied Computing

Aquino, Laurel

MSc in Applied Computing

Aubry, Murdock

MSc in Applied Computing

Cao, An

MSc in Applied Computing

Chen, Daniel

MSc in Applied Computing

Chen, Elsie

MSc in Applied Computing

Dormer, Will

MSc in Applied Computing

Lee, Sumin

MSc in Applied Computing

Li, Muhan

MSc in Applied Computing

Liu, Alex

MSc in Applied Computing

Liu, Andy

MSc in Applied Computing

Memon, Sameer

MSc in Applied Computing

Qi, Sipu

MSc in Applied Computing

Sen, Ujan

MSc in Computer Science

Bromley, David

MSc in Computer Science

Zhu, Kelly

MSc in Health Systems Research, Health Systems AI

Kazari, Kamyar

MSc in Health Systems Research, Health Systems AI

Rostami, AmirHosein

University
Program
Name

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

Master of Management Analytics

Chen, Xiaoye

Master of Management Analytics

Choi, Jiwon

Master of Management Analytics

Gupta, Tanishka

Master of Management Analytics

Hou, Sophie

Master of Management Analytics

Lalani, Armaan

Master of Management Analytics

Sethi, Tanmay

Master of Management Analytics

Tan, Zheng

Master of Management Analytics

Woodman, Olivia

University
Program
Name

University of Waterloo

MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Brandon Jaipersaud

MASc in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

MohammadHossein Koosheshi

MASc in Systems Design Engineering

Kurien, Joshua

Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Bhalla, Kareena

Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Kang, Yuxin

Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Song, Steven

MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering

Gill, Lovepreet Singh

MMath in Computer Science

Schneider, Benjamin

MMath in Computer Science

Sheta, Hala

MMath in Computer Science

Yan, Xin

MMath in Data Science

Seebach, Lily

MMath in Data Science

Wang, Carolyn

University
Program
Name

University of Windsor

MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in AI

Rice, Steven

University
Program
Name

Western University

Master of Data Analytics, Specialization in AI

Sandhu, Suharsh

MEng in Software Engineering, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Moftah, Mahira

MESc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Hartman, Lucas

MSc in Cell biology, Collaborative Specialization in ML in Health and Biomedical Sciences

Meawad, Mohamed

MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI

Zhou, Jincheng

MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in ML in Health and Biomedical Sciences

Mei, Zhimin

University
Program
Name

York University

MSc in Computer Science

Luther, Andrew

MSc in Computer Science

Noroozi, Alireza

University
Program
Name

York University, Schulich School of Business

Master of Business Analytics

Neve, Dishita Pranaykumar

Master of Business Analytics

Patel, Mansi

Master of Business Analytics

Saklani, Akriti

Master of Business Analytics

Wu, Jiayi

Master of Management in AI

Luo, Cheng

Master of Management in AI

Otoo, Georgette Eugenia

Master of Management in AI

Tang, Christine

*Please note all recipients have granted us permission to post their names on the Vector website until they have enrolled full-time in their programs. As such, their names will not appear in the above table until their enrollment is confirmed.

About the Vector Institute

Launched in 2017, the Vector Institute  works with industry, institutions, startups, and governments to build AI talent and drive research excellence in AI to develop and sustain AI-based innovation to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians.

Vector aims to advance AI research, increase adoption in industry and health through programs for talent, commercialization, and application, and lead Canada towards the responsible use of AI. Programs for industry, led by top AI practitioners, offer foundations for applications in products and processes, company-specific guidance, training for professionals, and connections to workforce-ready talent.

Vector is funded by the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada through the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, and leading industry sponsors from across multiple sectors of Canadian Industry.

For further information or media enquiries, please contact: media@vectorinstitute.ai

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