Vector Institute Announces Third Round of Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence Recipients

The Vector Institute is pleased to congratulate the third round of Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence recipients. These merit-based entrance awards recognize top candidates pursuing studies in a recognized AI-related master’s program or an individualized AI focused study plan in Ontario.

A strong research community, leading AI master’s programs and access to high quality data are creating the perfect opportunity for talented AI graduates to jump start their careers in Ontario.  By 2021 it is expected that 800+ AI master’s students will have graduated and entered the Ontario workforce. These new graduates will meet an increasing demand from leading global companies and promising AI startups and scaleups located in Ontario in order to access the growing AI workforce.

Scholarship recipients, along with other qualified students, gain access to Vector’s recently launched Digital Talent Hub, which connects highly skilled job seekers to employers, including Vector’s industry sponsors – companies at the forefront of AI adoption in Canada. Since the Talent Hub launched in December 2019, there have been 250+ jobs posted, 1,500+ applications and 450+ approved job seekers registered.

The third round of Vector scholarship recipients consists of 106 of the best and brightest incoming master’s students representing 31 programs across 12 Ontario universities. Applications rose 50% this year and were received from candidates not only in Ontario and Canada but from all over the world.

“I would like to thank Vector Institute for awarding me this prestigious scholarship. During these difficult times of a pandemic, this scholarship provides me the much-needed financial assistance and encourages me to pursue my higher studies in artificial intelligence at one of the most prestigious universities.” – Sidharth Pahuja, Vector Scholarship in AI recipient (2020-2021), University of Toronto.

Scholarship recipients and students enrolled in master’s programs recognized by Vector as providing the AI skills sought by employers have unique advantages including opportunities to attend events and talks connecting students with industry, such the CIFAR/Vector Job and Data Fair, AI Master’s Summit & Career Fair, as well as priority access to workshops and other recruiting events.

The Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence, engaging with Ontario universities to support the development of new graduate programs and expanded curriculum in AI, the newly launched Vector Talent hub as well as recruitment fairs, are all part of Vector’s initiative to develop and connect Ontario’s AI workforce to fuel AI-based economic development and job creation.

Vector will launch the 2021-22 scholarship competition dates in Fall 2020. Learn more: vectorinstitute.ai/aimasters.

Industry Sponsors, health organizations, government Ministries and Agencies, Ontario universities and Ontario Start Ups interested in posting AI related roles on the Digital Talent Hub should contact AIMasters@vectorinstitute.ai.

About the Vector Institute

The Vector Institute is an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, excelling in machine and deep learning. The Vector Institute’s 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 Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada through the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy administered by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), and industry sponsors from across the Canadian economy.

Internships, networking, and the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence are core components of Vector Institute’s AI Master’s initiative, supported by the Government of Ontario, to develop and connect Ontario’s AI workforce to fuel AI-based economic development and job creation.

Vector Scholarship Quick Facts:

• 106 scholarships awarded this cycle
• 242 scholarship recipients to date
• # of institutions with recipients this cycle: 12
• # of programs receiving scholarships this cycle: 31
• 14 new programs nominated students since last year

Congratulations to the 2020-21 cohort of Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence recipients*:

University	Program Name
	Electrical and Computer Engineering Kyrollos, Daniel
	MSc in Computer Science Baxi, Manmeet Kaspour, Shamisa Liu, Weiting Singhal, Aditya Swerhun, Mekaal
	Master of Computer Science Fathi, Kiavash
	MASc in Applied Physics Filipovich, Matthew MASc in ECE Beitollahi, Mahdi Gasca Cervantes, Eduardo Greisman, Austin Gupta, Divij Lau, Clinton Obadinma, Stephen Zhao, Jianxiang MASc in Mathematics and Engineering Gronowski, Adam Master of Management Analytics Natarajan, Janani Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence Arora, Gurkanwal Lei, Gavin Raza, Mohammad Syed Rahmathulla, Wafiq Wu, Ruihan MSc in Computer Science Ansari, Minhaj Everitt, Brittaney Scott, Katy Stuart, Duncan Su, Zitong Theriault, Rachel
	Collaborative Specialization in AI Master’s El-Shawa, Sara Salem, Mahmoud
	Master’s of Information Technology Security Ahmed, Farhan
	Master of Applied Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering Zhang, Han Master’s in Computer Science Mvula, Paul Nazari, Ehsan
	Health Services Research Nedadur, Rashmi MASc in Aerospace Studies Lu, Shichen Nadeau, Philippe Qian, Jingxing Wu, Yuchen Yuan, Zhaocong MASc in ECE de Souza Severo, Daniel Jia, Hengrui MASc in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Patel, Raj Tian, Sophie (Sijie) Wong, Rachel Xu, Meng (Katie) Master of Management Analytics Donovan, John Connor (Connor) El Mellouki, Zineb Ji, Yuan Moon, So Hyun (Stella) So Hyun (Stella), Sidharth Puccini, Aaryn Wisco, Asia Zegarmistrz, Marcin Zizek, William (Bill) MSc Health Informatics Keenan, Charles Lin, Charis Wang, Yi Li MSc in Applied Computing Arivazhagan, Manoj Ghuhan Bhattacharjee, Sourav Brock, Stephen Ellis, Jack Feng, Yiwen Guo, Yijie Landsman, David Liu, Shanning Ngo, William Roy, Subhayan Zhao, Luxi MSc in Computer Science El Sanyoura, Lana Hao, Siqi Mansouri, Farnam
	MASc in ECE Mohammad Mahdi, Naseri MASc in Systems Design Engineering Hemmatirad, Kimia Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Melgarejo Lermas, Irene MMath in Computer Science Alagappan, Solaiappan Herman, Daniel VanBerlo, Blake
	Master of Science in Computer Science- Artificial Intelligence [with/without Co-Operative Education] Gautam, Vishakha Hora, Sheena Jouyandeh, Farzaneh Patel, Himanshu Roy, Shuvendu
	Master of Data Analytics El Rachidi, Firas Joseph, Pauline MSc in Computer Science Keyes, Andrew Wang, Wei Younesi, Mohammad Zhang, Qinggang
	Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) Cong, Chang Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence (MMAI) Haji Seyed Hassani, Amir Luhm Silva, Ricardo Sterling, Brigid MSc in Computer Science Meka, Bhargavi Sy, Steniel Ye, Isaac

* list does not include names of candidates who did not want to be published.