Vector Institute announces nearly $2 million in scholarships for top Ontario AI graduate students
May 8, 2024
May 8, 2024
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Carleton University
Master of Computer Science
Yassin, Yousef
Lakehead University
MSc in Computer Science, Applied AI
Boyle, Tanner
McMaster University
MASc in Computational Science and Engineering
Falahati, Ali
MASc in Software Engineering
Trandinh, Winnie
MSc in Computer Science
Xue, Yuanqi
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
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
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 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 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 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 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 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 of Windsor
MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in AI
Rice, Steven
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
York University
MSc in Computer Science
Luther, Andrew
MSc in Computer Science
Noroozi, Alireza
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.
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.
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