Vector Institute awards 100 scholarships to Ontario’s top AI graduate students
- 100 recipients will receive a $17,500 merit-based scholarship from the Vector Institute for the 2026-27 academic year;
- Now in its ninth year, the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence has supported more than more than 900 students at Ontario universities since 2018; and
- Ontario universities have surpassed the provincial goal of 1,000 AI master’s graduates annually for the fifth consecutive year.
TORONTO, May 12, 2026 – Today, the Vector Institute awarded scholarships to 100 exceptional graduate students pursuing studies across Ontario. The merit-based, $17,500 Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence (VSAI) supports top candidates enrolled in Vector-recognized master’s programs or pursuing individualized AI study paths at universities across the province.
In total, the 2026-27 cohort received $1.75 million in scholarship funding.
“We’re proud to support 100 exceptional students this year with $17,500 scholarships, but the real value of the Vector Scholarship in AI is the powerful ecosystem they join. From day one, recipients are connected to mentors, peers, and industry leaders who help transform them from graduate students into the researchers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners who will define the next decade of AI in this province,” said Melissa Judd, Vice President, Research Operations and Academic Partnerships, Vector Institute.
Every AI-related job in Ontario generates an average of $199,000 in annual economic value. The talent coming through programs like the VSAI is a significant part of how that value gets created and stays in the province.
This year’s recipients come from programs spanning computer science, engineering, health informatics, data science, and business, reflecting the reach of AI research in Ontario and the breadth of sectors where these graduates will build their careers. Some will pursue research and academic paths; others will join the more than 3,200 Vector-affiliated students from AI master’s programs who have been hired in industry roles at Ontario companies and organizations since 2019.
Among previous recipients is Yixiu (Helen) He, a master’s student in biomedical engineering at Western University. Working in the Advanced Pulmonary Imaging Lab at Robarts Research Institute, she develops machine learning tools that analyze lung imaging data to help predict how individual asthma patients will respond to treatment.
“Machine learning really allows for personalized health care,” Helen said. “These models can analyze thousands of pixel-by-pixel comparisons at once to reveal hidden patterns in a tiny fraction of the time it would take a person to do the same by hand.”
“The Vector Scholarship in AI made it possible for me to fully commit to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of machine learning and pulmonary medicine. As an international student, the financial support removed a significant barrier, and the networking opportunities Vector provides have helped me connect with industry partners and researchers across Canada. It gave me the foundation and the confidence to dive into work I truly believe can change how we detect and treat lung disease.”
“Our province’s universities are home to world-class researchers and innovators that are unlocking the potential of Ontario’s booming AI research sector. We commend Vector Institute’s Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence which will ensure our province’s brightest graduates can keep Ontario on the cutting edge of innovation.” Said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security.
2026-27 scholarship recipients will attend 13 universities across Ontario. Vector now recognizes 30 AI master’s programs at Ontario universities, welcoming over 1,000 successful AI master’s graduates for five consecutive years, a milestone that reflects the sustained strength of Ontario’s AI research and training ecosystem.
This year’s scholarship program was supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The 2027-28 scholarship nomination dates will be announced in Fall 2026.
Universities of Vector’s 2026-2027 scholarship recipients
Carleton University
Master of Computer Science
Yu, Benjamin
Master of Computer Science – Collaborative Specialization in Data Science
Mak, Ngai Chung (Josiah)
MCS in Data Science, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence
Du, Feng
McMaster University
MEng in Computing and Software
Chen, Haokun
MSc in Computer Science
Banik, Shreya Adrita
MSc in Computer Science
Ziyaei Razban, Arash
Ontario Tech University
Master of Business Analytics and AI
Rezaq, Azmeeri Binte
Master of IT Security
Muchomba, Stanley
MSc in Computer Science
Oluyele, Sunday (Anthony)
Queen’s University
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering – Field of Study in AI
Gryspeerdt, Hendrix
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering – Field of Study in AI
Villemure, Sophie
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering – Field of Study in AI
Logan, Stuart
MASc in Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Farvolden, Coleman
Masters in Biomedical Informatics
Sanjeev, Sohan
MSc in Computing
Pirie, Matthew
MSc in Computing – Field of Study in AI
Elkind, Emese
Queen’s University, Smith School of Business
Master of Management of AI
Mughees, Lyba
Toronto Metropolitan University
MSc in Data Science and Analytics
Patel, Princy
University of Guelph
MSc in Computer Science – Collaborative Specialization in AI
Gill, Yuvraj Singh
University of Ottawa
MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering – Applied AI Concentration
Marwa, Muskaan
MSc in Computer Science – Applied AI Concentration
Niu, Fengquan
University of Toronto
MASc in Aerospace and Robotics Engineering
Thiyagarajan, Nikhil
MASc in Aerospace and Robotics Engineering
Yang, Tony
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hung, Nathan
Master of Health Informatics
Tan, Adrienna
Master of Health Informatics
Dixon, James Andrew
Master of Health Informatics
Singh, Krishnpriya (Krishnu)
Master of Health Informatics
Rabie, Sarah
MSc in Applied Computing
Chan, Amanda
MSc in Applied Computing
Sridhar, Arut Prakash
MSc in Applied Computing
Sivathayalan, Ashok
MSc in Applied Computing
Shahane, Atharva Nikhil (Atharva Shahane)
MSc in Applied Computing
Wang, Cynthia
MSc in Applied Computing
Ding, Haochen
MSc in Applied Computing
Zhong, Jingwen
MSc in Applied Computing
Quan, Junwei
MSc in Applied Computing
Chen, Kevin
MSc in Applied Computing
Reji, Sneha Ann
MSc in Applied Computing
Suresh, Soundarya
MSc in Applied Computing
Cirstoiu, Teodor (Teo)
MSc in Applied Computing
Pang, Tianlei
MSc in Applied Computing
Wang, Wanqi (Hazel)
MSc in Applied Computing
Tang, Yi Lin (Owen)
MSc in Computer Science
Liu, Hannah
MSc in Computer Science
Bolic, Natasa
MSc in Computer Science
Meng, Taiheng (Tylor)
MSc in Health Systems Research – Emphasis in Health Systems AI
Ravindran, Mithunan
University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management
Master of Management Analytics
Emo, Jack
Master of Management Analytics
Sikder, Tashfia
Master of Management Analytics
Gao, Yumo
University of Waterloo
MASc in Biomedical Engineering
Kanji, Salim
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Abolhassani Zeraatkar, Amirhossein
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Abolhadizadeh, Hiva
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Deng, Mingyue
MASc in Systems Design Engineering
Carciente, David
Master of Data Science and AI
Raja, Ramprakash
Master of Data Science and AI
Song, Rui
Master of Data Science and AI
Ingale, Sarvesh
Master of Data Science and AI
Zhang, Shukun
University of Windsor
MSc in Computer Science
Encina Osorio, Isaac
Western University
MESc in Biomedical Engineering – Collaborative Specialization in Machine Learning in Health and Biomedical Sciences
Ashmawy, Judy
MESc in Electrical and Computer Engineering – Collaborative Specialization in AI
Hodge, Samantha
MSc in Computer Science – Collaborative Specialization in AI
Terpstra, Hunter
York University
MASc in Computer Engineering
Elsaidy, Romisaa
MSc in Computer Science
Jafari, Amir Mohammad
MSc in Computer Science – Specialization in AI
Gupta, Harshit
York University, Schulich School of Business
Master of Business Analytics
Chaudhary, Mitali
Master of Business Analytics
Qiu, Fu Yao (Fuyao Q)
Master of Business Analytics
Levy, Maxwell (Max)
*Please note not 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.
