UCalgary welcomes Schulich scholarship winners

A new generation of innovators and future leaders is set to attend the University of Calgary this fall, including recipients of the 2025 Schulich Leader Scholarships. 

Since 2012, the scholarship, valued at between $100,000 and $120,000 and established by philanthropist Seymour Schulich, has encouraged promising high school graduates to embrace STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in their future careers. 100 students enrolled in 20 partner universities across Canada receive the scholarship every year. 

Six of these honourees have chosen to attend UCalgary this fall: 

Colby Cadden

Salmon Arm, B.C.

Faculty and Program: Schulich School of Engineering – Engineering 

As a student-athlete, Colby Cadden excels by balancing academics with athletics, embracing athletic leadership while falling in love with the “aha” moments in his STEM courses.  

His dedication to growth and excellence were evident in his leadership roles at Salmon Arm Secondary as captain of the high school’s volleyball team, assistant captain of the basketball team and captain of its Ultimate Frisbee team, which he also helped found. Cadden’s innovative approach to adapting his school’s intramural sports for inclusivity, such as creating "sock basketball," highlights his commitment to uniting communities through sports. 

Cadden aspires to drive change in engineering by advancing sustainability, enhancing sports equipment and revolutionizing technology. 

Being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease last spring did not deter his adventurous spirit. A little over two months later, he embarked on a gruelling three-day high-altitude backpacking trip, carrying only liquid nutrition. Cadden’s determination is a testament to his ability to overcome obstacles and pursue his passions. 

Seth Carne

Kamloops, B.C. 

Faculty and Program: Science – Mathematics 

Seth Carne’s journey to leadership began when he campaigned for the Kamloops Junior City Council, while attending Westsyde Secondary School. Carne had to promote himself, rally peers and encourage voter participation. This experience revealed confidence and charisma that led to his election with a convincing majority. 

Carne's love and dedication for mathematics earned him a top-five placement in a prestigious local mathematics competition, showcasing his problem-solving skills and determination.   

Carne plans to pursue a career in AI development, combining his passion for mathematics and entrepreneurship. 

Isabelle Dussault

Burton, N.B. 

Faculty and Program: Schulich School of Engineering & Haskayne School of Business – Engineering and Commerce 

At age 12, Isabelle Dussault co-founded Squeeze the Day, a lemonade business that has grown into a thriving venture over five years. This experience equipped her with an entrepreneurial mindset and a solid understanding of business fundamentals.   

Dussault took on leadership roles at Oromocto High School, including serving as a Grad Class executive. Her responsibilities involved planning creative events, building community connections and promoting school spirit, all of which were informed by her experience as a young entrepreneur. 

Dussault aspires to leverage these skills in a future engineering career focused on sustainable energy solutions and inspiring young people in STEM fields. 

Nabeel Malik

Grande Prairie, Alta. 

Faculty and Program: Science – Chemistry 

As the captain of the St. John Paul II Catholic School basketball team, Nabeel Malik took the initiative to lead practices, empower teammates, and hold them accountable for their academic and athletic performance. 

His leadership extends beyond sports as he was elected student council president, established a sports council at the school and became a member of the Youth Advisory Committee of Grande Prairie. 

His entrepreneurial mindset shone through with his creation of a 5K fun run. He skillfully secured grants and sponsorships, mobilized volunteers and leveraged social media for advertising, showcasing his ability to turn ideas into impactful community events. 

Driven by his own experiences with sports-related injuries, Malik aspires to merge his interests in sports and chemistry to develop innovative solutions that enhance athlete safety.   

Dane Park

Calgary, Alta

Faculty and Program: Schulich School of Engineering – Engineering 

An accomplished violinist, Dane Park demonstrates dedication and mastery in music, as well as a commitment to making music accessible to all, regardless of financial constraints. 

In athletics, Park excelled as the captain of the senior football team at Ernest Manning High School, one of the most competitive high school programs in Canada. Leading his team with dedication earned him the prestigious Blue and Gold Award for leadership.   

Park aspires to lead an engineering company focused on addressing global challenges such as developing affordable medical devices. This showcases his visionary mindset and desire to make a positive impact. 

Harmanroop Singh

Calgary, Alta

Faculty and Program: Science – Computer Science 

With a passion for AI and robotics, Harmanroop Singh led the Nelson Mandela High School robotics team, Team 14717, to the provincial championships. As captain, Singh emphasized creativity and resilience, encouraging his team to innovate and take risks, such as redesigning their robot for the finals. 

He has mentored middle school students in robotics, exploring programming and teaching them to maximize creativity with limited resources. 

Singh envisions leading a company at the forefront of AI and robotics, developing smart, autonomous systems to tackle global challenges. His passion for design and technology drives him to create solutions that are both functional and user friendly.