May 8, 2025
TORONTO, May 8, 2025 – Today, the Vector Institute awarded scholarships to 120 top AI graduate students 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.
“We’re incredibly proud of this year’s outstanding scholarship recipients,” says Melissa Judd, Vector’s Vice President, Research Operations and Academic Partnerships. “Through the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence, we’re not just supporting graduate students — we’re connecting them with opportunities that keep them building, innovating, and leading right here in Canada. Their success reinforces Ontario’s position as a global centre for AI excellence.”
The 2025-26 recipients represent diverse academic fields including engineering, computer science, health informatics, and business analytics. The $2.1 million awarded in scholarship funding supports Ontario’s growing AI talent pipeline, with previous recipients now building their careers at organizations like TD, OMERS, Trillium Health Partners, ChainML, Cohere, and more.
“The Vector Scholarship in AI was the critical bridge that legitimized my transition from finance to AI, giving me credibility in a competitive field,” says Daniel Kur, Senior Machine Learning Scientist with Theoriq, an AI protocol by ChainML. “The recognition opened doors that would have otherwise remained closed, and has assisted in obtaining my current role at a startup.”
Beyond financial support, VSAI recipients and students enrolled in master’s programs recognized by the Vector Institute can attend events and talks where they can meet top AI researchers and teams from Canadian enterprises. They can also access Vector’s Digital Talent Hub, which connects AI professionals from Vector’s community with industry and institutional employers. Since 2018, Ontario companies and organizations have hired more than 2,500 Vector-affiliated students from AI master’s programs, including VSAI recipients.
“On behalf of the Government of Ontario, we extend our sincere congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario’s reputation as a global tech powerhouse is built on our world-class research institutions, strong industry partnerships, and our growing ecosystem of more than 75,000 STEM graduates each year. By continuing to strengthen partnerships between academia and industry leaders, Ontario is building a resilient economy where companies from around the world can pursue excellence in innovation.”
This eighth round of VSAI recipients will attend 15 universities across Ontario. Eight hundred and two scholarships have been awarded since the program launched in 2018, and the number of Vector-recognized AI master’s programs has grown to 28 across Ontario, reflecting the demand for AI talent. For the fourth consecutive year, Ontario universities have surpassed the province’s goal of producing 1,000 AI master’s graduates annually.
“Ontario post-secondary students are producing ground-breaking artificial intelligence research that is actively shaping our province as a leader in emerging technology,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This scholarship will further equip our top graduate students with the tools they need to continue making innovative discoveries that build a more dynamic and resilient economy for Ontario.”
This year’s scholarship program was supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The 2026-27 scholarship nomination dates will be announced in Fall 2025. Learn more about the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence
Brock University
MSc in Computer Science
Madhusudan, Sangmitra
MSc in Computer Science
McDonald, Tyler
Carleton University
MSc in Cognitive Science, Specialization in Data Science
Pana, Theo
Lakehead University
MSc in Computer Science, AI Specialization
Masum, Mustavi
McMaster University
MASc in Biomedical Engineering
Choudhury, Mahan
MSc in Computer Science
Haqiqat, Arsham
Ontario Tech University
Master of Business Analytics and AI
Mason, Brennan
Master of Computer Science
Shah, Neel
Queen’s University
MSc in Computing, Field of Study in AI
Petingola, Mitchell
MSc in Computing, Field of Study in AI
Wasti, Mekael
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of Study in AI
Al-Obeidat, Naser
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of Study in AI
Arham, Muhammad
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of Study in AI
Gharib, Rana
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Field of Study in AI
Lortie, Severn
Queen’s University, Smith School of Business
Master of Management Analytics
Hawlader, Tabassum Mili
Master of Management Analytics
Li, Evelyn
Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence
Murphy, Megan
Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence
Onyeagwu, Chukwudumebi
Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence
Saqile, Sasha
University of Guelph
MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in AI
K M, Lokesh Kumar
Master of Data Science
Barral Morcillo, Jose
Master of Data Science
Sanjeevan, Barath
Master of Data Science
Yagiuchi, Takeshi
University of Toronto
MASc in Aerospace Science and Engineering
Beca, Anthony
MASc in Aerospace Science and Engineering
Potenza, Alessandro
MSc in Applied Computing
Ahmed, Tausif
MSc in Applied Computing
Biswurm, Tyler
MSc in Applied Computing
Cui, Scott
MSc in Applied Computing
Fazel, Parnian
MSc in Applied Computing
Gribilas, Tom
MSc in Applied Computing
Hou, Hao-Yu
MSc in Applied Computing
Lopez Chavez, Alvaro
MSc in Applied Computing
McMaster, Kyle
MSc in Applied Computing
Stranges, Nicholas
MSc in Applied Computing
Ufimtseva, Tanya
MSc in Applied Computing
Wang, Jacky
MASc in Biomedical Engineering
Sharma, Isha
MASc in Biomedical Engineering
Szymanowski, Mathew
MASc in Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
Goldman, Josh
MSc in Computer Science
Muresanu, Andrei
MSc in Computer Science
Wang, Kevin
Master of Health Informatics
Coulter, Alex
Master of Health Informatics
Mahpour, Amirali
Master of Health Informatics
Yang, Jim
MSc in Health Services Research, Artificial Intelligence
Haji Mohammad Rezaei, Amir Hossein
MSc in Health Services Research, Artificial Intelligence
Harfi, Sepehr
MSc in Medical Biophysics, Image Analysis and AI
Bizi, Gerd
University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management
Master of Management Analytics
Ehraaz, Atif
Master of Management Analytics
Li, Yuzhu
Master of Management Analytics
Xu, Ziyi
University of Waterloo
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Pharand, Lance
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Rose, Sean
MASc in System Design Engineering
Sun, Hudson
Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Bao, Jerry
Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Wen, Yujie
MMath in Computer Science
Solodko, Michael
MMath in Computer Science
Luo, Xiaoxi
MMath in Computer Science
Oyarhoseini, Hosna
MMath in Computer Science
Solodko, Michael
MMath in Data Science
Phillippo, Kacie
University of Windsor
MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in AI
Mustafa, Sharjeel
MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in AI
Pagaria, Kavya
MSc in Computer Science, Concentration in AI
Reingold, Nonika
Western University
Master of Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence
Niu, Jackie
MESc in Biomedical Engineering, Collaborative Specialization in ML in Health and Biomedical Sciences
Helen, He
MSc in Computer Science, Collaborative Specialization in ML in Health and Biomedical Sciences
Zhao, Jingyu
Wilfrid Laurier University, Lazaridis School of Business
MSc in Management Analytics
Orcutt, Matthew
York University
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Filippelli, Luca
MSc in Computer Science
Fartoot, Delaram
MSc in Computer Science
Wu, Ryan
MSc in Computer Science
Zarkhah, Ashkan
York University, Schulich School of Business
Master of Business Analytics
Jishtu, Apoorva
Master of Management in AI
Ayoson, Joyce
Master of Management in AI
Hakime, Nadia
*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.
About Vector Institute
The Vector Institute is an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, excelling in machine learning and deep learning. Our vision is to drive excellence and leadership in Canada’s knowledge, creation, and use of AI to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians. The Vector Institute is funded by the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada through CIFAR Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, and industry sponsors across Canada. For further information or media enquiries, please contact: media@vectorinstitute.ai
