A student of Indian nationality studying in a Dubai school has won a prestigious scholarship to study in Canada because of her leadership activities and youth empowerment work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
17-year-old Radha Hari has won a scholarship worth C$100,000 ($77,000) from Huron University in Canada, affiliated with the University of Western Ontario.
Hari, a student of the 12th class at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, is the only student from the Arab region to grab this scholarship in 2022 and is also the second student in the UAE ever to receive this award.
The scholarship, Huron International Presidential, was launched in 2018.
She will be starting her four-year studies in finance and economics during the fall.
Ms Hari stated that the moment she found out she won the award, “It was a very heart attack moment if I had to define it.”
“When I applied for this, I attempted to put in my best efforts and did not desire too much because I know it was challenging. So I was shocked.”
“By getting the presidential scholarship, I have been able to take a huge burden off my parents’ shoulders, and it has also unlocked a lot of doors for my personal and career expansion.”
“I think my leadership qualities made me stand out because I have held posts at my school since I was in Grade 8 and attempted to bring about new things and programmes. I have been a high-scoring student, which helped.”
Hari worked on a women’s empowerment movement and arranged sessions in which students could obtain advice on university admissions.
Along with some peers, she set up an association called Girl Up, which strives to create awareness about issues like bullying, mental health and discrimination, and breast cancer, among other problems young people face.
Hari has also been committed towards safeguarding the environment and gathered about one tonne of paper for recycling for the Emirates Environmental Group.