DESI DIARY
TOP SCHOLARS REAP RICH REWARDS
There are several desis among the thirty innovators, community-builders and leaders joining the fourth class of McCall MacBain Scholars at McGill.
Thirty innovators, community-builders and leaders are joining the fourth class of McCall MacBain Scholars at McGill.
The McCall MacBain Scholarship is a full scholarship for master’s or professional studies. Students and graduates of Canadian and US universities, as well as Canadians abroad, must apply by September 24.
The newest cohort includes:
Abeera Irfan, McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, MSc, Public Health
A recent UBC Food, Nutrition and Health graduate, Abeera works as a clinical dietitian at the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. After conducting a needs assessment, Abeera collaborated with Decoda Literacy Solutions and other stakeholders to co-create food literacy workshops for newcomer families. She hopes to expand these workshops to other cities. As a wellness ambassador with the South Asian Health Institute, Abeera helped develop healthy eating resources in Urdu and Hindi and conducted outreach in South Asian community spaces. She also led the dietetics student club, co-organized a faculty community dinner, and liaised with campus groups to organize a dialogue series for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) students. Abeera worked throughout her bachelor’s degree and co-authored a research article on COVID-19 preparedness in long-term care homes. She has been admitted to the Master of Science in Public Health (Non-Thesis) program at McGill.
Hamza Ashfaq, McGill Desautels Faculty of Management, MBA, Management
A recent graduate of the Lahore University in Management Sciences, Hamza works as an investment associate for a climate technology fund. In this role, he led the launch of a new investment product that provides bridge loans to climate grant recipients. Hamza is also a certified Level 1 Chartered Financial Analyst. Hamza co-founded an educational non-profit where he managed operations and finance, and mentored students to achieve learning outcomes. He has volunteered as an advisor for an agricultural startup where he helped raise investment and develop their financial model. Hamza was also the treasurer for an animal welfare society where he helped raise over 100,000 PKR in sponsorships. Hamza has been admitted to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at McGill. He would like to become a social entrepreneur or impact investor to help solve local community issues.
Iffat Mahjabin, McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, MSc, Public Health
Iffat is the Assistant Project Manager of Green Bangle Project at the Asian University for Women (AUW), where she recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public and Environmental Health. Iffat co-founded an arts and culture event management startup, which gained international recognition at the Hult Global Summit. During her time at AUW, she was student president leading a diverse team and coordinating with administration and external partners. Iffat also worked as a research and logistics assistant with the Green Bangle Project, where she studied how climate change impacted the local community to help inform policy decisions. She has worked as an interpreter/translator for various international and local organizations and as a teaching assistant for young women and girls. Iffat has been admitted to the Master of Science in Public Health (Non-Thesis) program at McGill. She aims to focus her career on the connection between environmental and public health in vulnerable communities.
Justin Sandrasagra, McGill Faculty of Engineering, MSc, Mechanical Engineering
Justin is a Mechanical and Materials Engineering student at Queen’s University. He works part-time leading a team of student mentors. In his capacity as lead student mentor, he recently organized a national conference on engineering peer mentorship. Justin contributed to a science case competition team, a space engineering project, and a sustainability committee. He also volunteered as a notetaker for Queen’s Student Accessibility Services and participated in a global experience program. He is the co-author of two published research articles on the application of asphalt to build longer-lasting roads in Northern climates. Interested in both energy systems and the aerospace industry, Justin has been admitted to the Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering (Thesis) program at McGill.
Maheep Sandhu, McGill Faculty of Arts, MPP, Public Policy
Maheep is a Global and International Studies graduate of Carleton University. He has spent the past few years working in federal politics at the intersection of climate and energy policy. Until recently, he served as a Senior Advisor to Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Maheep was named a Top 25 Environmentalist in 2022 by Starfish Canada. During his undergraduate studies, he founded and led the Student Energy Carleton chapter and chaired the student government’s Sustainability Advisory Council. He also worked with a solar energy company to create a non-profit initiative providing low-cost energy access systems in developing countries. In addition, Maheep previously served on the Board of Directors of the Peel Community Climate Council, supporting youth-led climate action efforts in his hometown. With the McCall MacBain Scholarship, Maheep will pursue a Master of Public Policy degree at McGill.
Yuvraj Agnihotri, McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, MSc, Surgical and Interventional Sciences
Yuvraj is a student majoring in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. He is a founding member and the Vice President of Finance of the Bhangra Club, managing sponsors, funding, and expense management for the club’s competitions. In 2024, he won the Student Union Campus Involvement Award for his commitment to the club and other initiatives. Yuvraj is a research assistant at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, researching comorbidities with pediatric epilepsy. He co-authored two studies presented at the American Epilepsy Society. Yuvraj has also volunteered with Adapted Physical Activity for Kids, supporting children’s access to sports, and at Alberta Health Services hospitals. Yuvraj has been admitted to the Master of Science in Surgical and Interventional Sciences (Thesis) program at McGill.