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The Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) Entrance Scholarship at the University of Waterloo supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them focus on their studies and campus life without financial burden. The scholarship boosts confidence and sense of belonging, with recipients like Lia expressing deep gratitude and commitment to giving back.

Learn more about the GBDA Entrance Scholarship, and join us on May 15th for Giving Day, encouraging donations to support educational initiatives.

Dr. Ville Mäkelä and colleagues at Waterloo’s Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business are redefining education through Canada’s first large-scale VR-based 3D design course. Using tools like Gravity Sketch and immersive headsets, their innovative approach blends creativity and technology, preparing students for the future of digital design. This initiative sets new standards for interactive learning and showcases Waterloo’s leadership in VR education.

100 years after The Great Gatsby, GBDA alum Kristen Fajardo releases a speculative, queer cyberpunk reimagining of the American classic. Her background in UX and the tech industry shaped both the novel’s content and the entrepreneurial strategies behind its launch.

The Stratford School is proud to share that Dr. Daniel Harley is among the 2024 Outstanding Performance Award recipients.

Henriëtta van Niekerk and her startup Skrimp.ai secured the E-Launch Award of $5,000 from the University of Waterloo's Enterprise Co-op program.

Naimah Venezia (BGBDA ’25) began her entrepreneurial journey at age seven, inspired by her brother and the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” She founded CoinWa, a gamified financial literacy app for teens, to make financial education fun and accessible. The Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) program at the University of Waterloo equipped her with essential skills in business, technology, and design. Through the E-Co-op program, Naimah developed CoinWa with support from mentors and employed fellow students. As she graduates, Naimah aims to enhance financial literacy among young people, preparing them for future financial success.

Because of the Stratford School Student Initiatives Fund supporting student-led activities, Gaurav was able to grow as a leader and community builder, whether it was through coding for a local non-profit or reviving the GBDA On Air podcast to reach incoming students.

Learn more about the Stratford School Student Initiatives Fund, and join us on May 15th for Giving Day, encouraging donations to support educational initiatives.