The Cheriton School of Computer Science welcomes Saptarshi Bhattacherya, Alicia Bremer, Andrew Dong, Heidi Hon, Kushal Mujral and Eric Pei — six outstanding first-year students who have distinguished themselves academically as recipients of the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship.
The Schulich Leader Scholarships are a national undergraduate STEM scholarship, established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Seymour Schulich to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurially minded, technology innovators. This year, the Schulich Foundation is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and in 2021 the foundation has awarded up to 100 scholarships to students across Canada entering university.
Since 2012, Waterloo has ranked as the top recipient with the largest number of qualifying applicants. Last year, the Schulich Foundation began providing the University of Waterloo with more than double the number of awards.
“Congratulations to Saptarshi, Alicia, Andrew, Heidi, Kushal and Eric on your Schulich Leader Scholarships,” said Raouf Boutaba, Professor and Director of the Cheriton School of Computer Science. “We’re delighted that you have chosen to pursue your studies in computer science and software engineering with us.”
To date, Waterloo has admitted 46 Schulich Leader Scholars, including the incoming 2021 cohort of Schulich Leaders. Learn more about the six high-achieving computer science and software engineering students who have received this prestigious national award.
Saptarshi Bhattacherya • Software Engineering
“I have always been interested in engineering because of the inspiring motivation behind it — developing innovative solutions to problems that will ultimately help other people,” says Saptarshi. “Through my own engineering endeavours, I have tried to better the lives of others with good user experiences. In the future, I hope to cultivate more positive user experiences through the software I build.”
Saptarshi has also developed a visual aid for the deaf and hard of hearing, called VADAR, which provides real-time transcription of words being spoken to its wearer. VADAR taught him the true potential of technology and how it could be used to democratize parts of the human experience. Ever since, he has tried his best to realize an altruistic vision of technology.
Throughout high school, Saptarshi was also involved in several extracurricular activities, including being the lead software engineer in his school’s robotics team, which won first place in programming in the FLL provincial championship of 2017. He was also a member of the environmental club, leading a team to win first in Caring for our Watersheds Competition of Central Alberta.
At Waterloo, Saptarshi is most looking forward to the amazing opportunities he will be exposed to and meeting a community of people who are united by their desire to build a better future for all. When asked about his future career aspirations, Saptarshi says he hopes to work using AI for equity, making sure that everyone has access to the entirety of the human experience.
Alicia Bremer • Computer Science
The
experience
allowed
her
to
study
the
effects
of
pesticides
on
beeswax
with
a
team.
She’s
also
proud
of
a
waste
classification
app
that
she
built
on
her
own.
Throughout
high
school,
Alicia
was
also
involved
in
many
extracurricular
activities,
including
track
and
field,
cross
country,
basketball,
band,
jazz
band,
green
team,
book
club
and
debate
club.
These
activities,
along
with
maintaining
a
high
GPA,
are
what
she
believes
helped
her
stand
out
as
a
Schulich
Leader.
“I
decided
to
attend
the
University
of
Waterloo
because
I
really
like
the
computer
science
program,
especially
the
opportunity
to
do
co-op
every
other
term
and
gain
real-world
experience,”
Alicia
says.
“In
addition
to
participating
in
the
co-op
program,
I’m
looking
forward
to
meeting
new
people
while
at
Waterloo.”
Alicia enjoys running, which she says helps her maintain a good work–life balance and stay healthy. When she’s studying, she stays on task by taking lots of breaks and using a to-do list to organize her work.
Andrew Dong • Computer Science
In Grades 10 and 11, he organized his school’s student-run hackathon, SpartaHacks. He was also active in sports, playing on the tennis, badminton and volleyball teams. Two of Andrew’s most notable achievements were qualifying for the Canadian Mathematical and Computing Olympiads. he believes that his involvement in contests and enthusiasm to share ideas and organize STEM-related events are what helped him stand out as a Schulich Leader.
Andrew is eager to gain experience in his field of choice through Waterloo’s co-op program. “I’m looking forward to using Waterloo’s co-op program to sample a diverse portion of the industry and discover what kinds of jobs I like and don’t like,” he says. “I also hope to do some co-ops in other countries, such as the United States or somewhere in Europe.”
Andrew enjoys physical activity, such as running and basketball, or music-related hobbies, such as listening to classical or pop music and playing the piano, which he began at the age of five.
Andrew is looking forward to being on campus in September and believes the computer science program will be challenging in a fun and growth-inspired way.
Heidi Hon • Computer Science
She
was
also
the
founder
of
her
high
school’s
STEM
committee,
which
worked
to
empower
the
community
and
make
STEM
accessible
to
students
of
all
ages
and
interests.
Heidi
says
she
chose
to
attend
Waterloo
because
of
its
culture
of
innovation,
entrepreneurship
and
collaboration.
“I’m
most
looking
forward
to
surrounding
myself
with
other
super
strong
students
in
the
Faculty
of
Mathematics,”
says
Heidi.
“Everyone
has
a
unique
combination
of
skills
—
technical,
problem-solving,
communication
and
more
—
and
I
love
learning
from
others’
strengths
and
successes.”
Heidi is also looking forward to growing as part of a community of Waterloo students who she says are strong in academics, extracurriculars, and all aspects of school and work life.
Kushal Mujral • Software Engineering
When asked why he chose the University of Waterloo, Kushal says because it has one of the best software engineering programs in the country and the co-op program is the largest and most reputable in the world.
“I was in the car on my way to school when I got an email from Waterloo’s Student Awards office about the Schulich Leader Scholarship with ‘thank you’ in the subject,” says Kushal. “I assumed it was an email saying ‘thank you for applying’, meaning I hadn’t won. Instead, it turned out that I actually won! My father and brother were in the car, and I told them with a very straight face so I could see their reactions. They were yelling for joy! After that I couldn’t stop smiling and rereading the offer letter for the next few days.”
While at Waterloo, Kushal is most looking forward to joining the design teams and robotics clubs, as well as experiencing co-op and gaining a better understanding of the intricacies of software engineering through his studies.
Eric Pei • Computer Science
Eric placed 9th in 2020 and 6th in 2021 and says the experience taught him about competing, problem solving and perseverance. He believes these qualities helped him stand out as a Schulich leader. Eric says the 2021 Canadian Computing Olympiad had just ended when he checked his email to see that he had been awarded the Schulich Leader Scholarship.
“I was happy and surprised because I wasn’t expecting to receive it,” Eric says. “Fortunately, thinking about the scholarship did not negatively impact my performance at the Olympiad. Receiving the Schulich Leader Scholarship has given me confidence in my future because I now know that the Schulich Foundation is willing to invest in me.”
When asked about the habits that help him achieve his goals, Eric says that he doesn’t consciously think about maintaining a work–life balance, but believes it’s important not to overwork himself. He remains on task by removing distractions and enjoys having large blocks of free time so that he doesn’t need to worry about working quickly.
Eric is looking forward to learning more in his mathematics and computer science courses at Waterloo, and is excited for the possibility to live and work abroad during co-op. At the moment, he doesn’t have a particular place in mind, but is interested in trying the unique experience of living outside Canada. He is also looking forward to connecting with friends that attend Waterloo.