Study Abroad in Canada: Mohit Kumar is the first Indian to win MacBain Global Scholarship

The scholarships were made possible by John and Marcy McCall MacBain’s historic C$200 million gift in 2019, the second-largest single donation in Canadian history (about INR 1,218 crore). The scholarships give students the opportunity to pursue a master’s or professional degree at McGill University with full funding. They are intended to promote purposeful leadership. Additionally, a leadership development programme, coaching, and mentoring are included.

When asked about this development, Mohit Kumar said, “I was overcome with delight when Marcy McCall MacBain personally informed me that I had been selected. It’s a big day for me, my family, and the institution. For my neighbourhood and other students all throughout India, I hope this development opens a doorway to global aspirations. I’m anticipating my time spent studying in Montreal.

The selection of Mohit is a testimony to the time and effort he has invested in enhancing the lives of others, according to Natasha Sawh, Dean of the McCall MacBain Scholarships. She continued, “Our volunteers looked for leadership qualities like integrity, kindness, grit, and an ability to motivate a team to address difficult challenges in addition to academic strength.”

Mohit, who is from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, is a student at Ashoka University majoring in History, International Relations, and Persian. Through “Sarathi: The Guide,” he has been working to increase literacy in his community since 2019.

His initiative has grown to enlist 45 volunteers to help 850 students in 10 villages in their academic endeavours. He works as an office counsellor for the Young Scholars Programme at Ashoka and actively mentors and tutors his undergraduate peers. At McGill University, he intends to complete a two-year master’s programme in education.

The McCall MacBain Scholarships and McGill University additionally provided 96 entrance scholarships, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each to outstanding applicants who were not chosen for the cohort in order to recognise extra potential. As an international finalist, Rohit Vasishta, an Ashoka University student, received a $20,000 prize. The master’s programmes at McGill University in Canada have both accepted Mohit and Rohit, and they will both start their graduate studies there in the fall of 2023.

Vanita Shastri, Dean of Global Education and Strategic Partnerships, at Ashoka University, said,

“We feel proud of our students for leaving their mark on the global stage and congratulate them and their parents on this achievement. At Ashoka, it has always been our endeavour to impart high-quality education, foster an inclusive environment and provide global opportunities to our students. This is an essential ethos that allows the development of future leaders who will contribute towards creating a better society.”

Each scholar for the McCall MacBain scholarship was chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity. They also underwent a rigorous seven-month selection process, including a final round of interviews in Montréal.

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