Meet this year’s Schulich Leaders: Shubhneet Thind

A keen student, dedicated volunteer and a natural leader, Shubhneet Thind is entering the Faculty of Science as one of the University of Manitoba’s Schulich Leaders Scholarship recipients.

Thind has been passionate about the sciences ever since she can remember. In grade 7 that passion was confirmed when she won a science award for her enthusiasm and dedication to the field of study.

Thind honed her love of science through the Let’s Talk Science program at UM, a national charitable organization that is focused on education and outreach to youth.

Now, she’s excited to become a biological sciences student and find more opportunities to do research and participate in outreach opportunities with the faculty. The $80,000 Schulich Leaders Scholarship will allow her to do so.

“Going to university, my primary concern had been the university expenses, and this scholarship lifts that financial burden, therefore enabling me to focus on school,” she says. “By receiving this scholarship, I can focus on the various research opportunities offered by the U of M!”

Thind is also grateful that the scholarship will allow her to continue volunteering in the community.

“I am looking forward to getting involved with clubs and projects like Let’s Talk Science which encourage and motivate youth to pursue a career in the sciences,” she says. “Having explored the various sciences at the U of M through this program myself, I can’t wait to become a part of this program and empower young girls to pursue a STEM-related field!”

Empowerment is a theme that is important to Thind.

“Ever since I was in middle school and later in high school, I was inspired by the work that the older students at the time were doing. Not only were they supporting the causes that they were passionate about, they were community leaders who were advocating for change.”

“Being an immigrant to Canada, living in a low-income family, I’ve been empowered to help those living in poverty,” says Thind. “Not only that, as a result of volunteering, I have been able to observe the devastating effects of poverty on children and youth, therefore motivating me to support those who are faced by the issue, through education, volunteering and much more.”

Through the Youth in Philanthropy program, Thind led the Victoria Albert Project in 2019 that allowed her to spend a day at an inner-city school doing numeracy, literacy and art workshops, with a group of like-minded peers. The group also did fundraising so they could provide stationery hampers, which included books, notebooks, toques and toothbrushes, to each of the 32 students who participated.

Thind is also passionate about making a difference internationally. As president of the Vietnamese Orphanage Committee at her high school, she led a team that raised money to make education accessible to orphans in Vietnam, and also provided the orphanage with a computer lab and printer, improved kitchen and dining facilities and access to medications.

“My volunteer experiences will not only enable me to make change in the community but also allow me to empower others to do the same,” says Thind.

For Thind education and giving back are entwined.

“With a science degree, I intend on becoming an entrepreneur in the field. Becoming an entrepreneur in the science field not only inspires me to find solutions to the existing problems, but also give back to my community,” says Thind. “As the scientific knowledge advances, there are so many ways to help others, therefore I will innovate and create, whether that be in agriculture, technology, environment or education.”

The Schulich Leadership Scholarship is awarded every year to 50 students enrolling in a STEM program at a Canadian university. Thind was chosen for the award based on her outstanding academic achievements, leadership and community service. She is one of two UM students to receive the entrance award this year. The other is Joshua Bond, read about him here.

UM Today Staff