International Students Welcomed with Special Orientation Events
International Students Welcomed at Vic with Special Orientation Events
Arriving in a new country to pursue an academic journey can sometimes feel overwhelming for the talented international students that have chosen to make Victoria College their academic home. To ease the transition, the Office of the Dean of Students leads a robust International Student Orientation from Thursday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 24. International Student Orientation is programmed to be a fun and welcoming experience designed to help students settle in, find community and thrive. Students learn about everything from the ins and outs of using public transit, how to decipher a timetable and successfully find lectures, the best way to access health services and how to leverage Vic’s team of international mentors.
Included in this year’s cohort of international students are recipients of the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, named after Lester B. Pearson, Canada’s 14th prime minister from 1963-68, Nobel laureate and one of Victoria College’s most famous graduates.
The scholarship is U of T’s most prestigious award for international students and seven of this year’s 37 recipients have chosen Vic as their academic home. These exceptional students are selected for the scholarship for their outstanding academic achievement, creativity and leadership potential. Each recipient receives full funding for tuition, books, residence and incidental fees throughout their four years of undergraduate study.
Welcome to all international students and meet this year’s recipients of the 2025 Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship!
Imane Baghouri
Westover School
Moroccan student in Connecticut, U.S.A.
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Social Science
Hello everyone! My name is Imane, and I’m from Casablanca, Morocco.
I attended a Moroccan high school where I specialized in mathematics and sciences. In 2022, I made the decision to study abroad through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. During my exchange year in Sitka, Alaska, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the local community and learn about the rich culture of the Tlingit people. I volunteered with local organizations such as the Sitka Conservation Society and supported a math tutoring program at the local middle school. I was selected to participate in the RASOR (Data and Quantitative Thinking) program at the University of Alaska Southeast and to take part in a field research experience with the Kenauk Institute in Montebello, Canada.
Currently, I’m a student at Westover School, a boarding school in Connecticut, where I continue to explore a range of interests. This year, I was honored to volunteer in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, where I learned about the Taíno culture and language. I worked alongside community members on APRODEC’s initiative to renovate a local building for communal use, and gained insights into how grassroots organizations can create lasting impact in underfunded communities. I hope to continue this work at the University of Toronto.
I am deeply honored and grateful to have been selected as a Lester B. Pearson Scholar. I’m excited to explore my passions and take advantage of the University of Toronto’s world-class resources. Most of all, I look forward to connecting with my fellow Pearson Scholars and giving back to the community that has already given me so much.
Tuğra Canbaz
Private Bilfen İzmir Science High School
Türkiye
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Computer Science
Hey everyone! My name is Tuğra, and I am from İzmir. I am very excited to be a part of the U of T community.
Mathematics and computer science are my way of exploring the limitations of our universe. From differential geometry to dynamic programming, I can create a new space based on the axioms I set or the lines I write. Math Olympiad has been a big part of my high school life, and I am proud to be one of Turkey’s national medalists. Among my interests, from discrete mathematics and computer science to economics and philosophy, I have been particularly interested in graph theory, game theory, and algorithms.
My interests led me to academic literature and entrepreneurship. I wanted to use my theoretical basis for research and real-life applications. I wrote the research papers, ‘Comparing Naive Bayes and Random Forest Models for Fake News Detection’ and ‘t-Tone Coloring of Special Graphs’.
I also tried to make a change in the world with small projects like creating a physics-based learning game with Unity, using NLP (Natural Language Processing) to classify cancer types with the input of medical data, and developing AI glasses that vocalize and describe the surroundings for the visually impaired in Turkish. I led my team in an entrepreneurship competition, trying to develop a reusable bubble wrap alternative. Besides academics, I find a great deal of fulfillment in the arts and graphic design as they are some of the outlets I use to express my creativity.
I am grateful to be selected as a Lester B. Pearson Scholar, and I look forward to improving and growing as a person, alongside this amazing community.
Chukwuebuka Michael Itanyi
St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School
Nigerian student in Ontario, Canada
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Computer Science
Hi! My name is Chukwuebuka Itanyi, and I come from the culturally rich city of Enugu, Nigeria.
I have always enjoyed exploring, whether it is solving mathematics problems or writing code for fun. I discovered the love for mathematics and coding during my schooling at Evergreen Schools, Enugu and James Hope College (JHC), Lagos. At JHC, learning, playing, and growing together with students from across Nigeria taught me the power of different perspectives and experiences, influencing how I approach problem-solving. I also learnt probably the most important lesson of my life: boarding school isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be!
Moving to Canada was a big change. Although I already had experience with cultural diversity back home, I was hardly prepared to be thrown into the melting pot that is the city of Toronto. I was lucky to become a part of the St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School community, where I was welcomed with open arms. I went on to co-found the school’s first Black Students Association and became a leader of the STEM Club, both of which helped me grow as a leader and work for something bigger than myself.
Personally, I enjoy playing video games, watching movies and listening to music on my headphones, but nothing excites me quite like football. Whether I am watching Chelsea games or playing on the back field, I look forward to it every week.
All in all, my experiences over the years have been crucial in forming who I am today, an aspiring software developer who is not afraid to push past my limits and change the world in my own way. Being selected as a Lester B. Pearson scholar is both an honour and a dream come true, and I am very excited to join and enrich the already diverse community of U of T!
Alan Jacob
Rahul International School
India
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Computer Science
Hello! My name is Alan Jacob, and I’m from Mumbai, India. I’m honored to be selected as a 2025 Lester B. Pearson Scholar.
I’ve long been drawn to technology’s potential to expand human possibility. In high school, I designed and patented an AI-based diagnostic imaging device that supports early disease detection from medical scans—particularly useful in low-resource rural settings.
My interest in artificial intelligence deepened into a more fundamental question: what exactly is thought, and can machines truly replicate it? While modern AI is powerful, it remains rooted in statistical approximation and pattern recognition—a paradigm that, in my view, falls short of modeling genuine cognition.
This led me to propose Quantum Intelligence (QI)—a new theoretical framework for machine cognition inspired by quantum mechanical concepts. In my paper, Quantum Intelligence: A Foundational Framework for Post-Classical Cognition, I introduce the concept of a Cognitive Superposition Manifold (CSM), a substrate in which contradictory mental states can coexist and collapse contextually.
To advance this work, I founded the International Committee for Quantum Intelligence Research (ICQIR) and continue developing the field of Post-Classical Cognition (PCC).
I’ve also served as Head Boy of my school, led multiple academic clubs, and received top national and international awards in physics, mathematics, and innovation. I regularly volunteer to teach underprivileged students in my community.
At the University of Toronto, I’m excited to explore foundational research in machine learning, cognition, and computational theory as I continue to advance the field of Quantum Intelligence.
Isabella Mendizabal
American School of Guatemala
Guatemala
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Life Sciences
I am Isabella Mendizabal Asturias. I was born in Guatemala, and I am 17 years old, ready to explore what the world has to offer and what I can offer to the world. I will graduate from the American School of Guatemala, where I spent my four high school years, but I hold close to my heart the years I spent at Colegio Metropolitano.
I have always been a bit of a scientist, and now I am pursuing a neuroscience career, filled with research ideas to improve developing countries. I am a proactive person who loves singing, playing the piano, running, cycling, swimming, serving others, going to church, and spending time with my family and friends. In my free time, I enjoy writing poems and short stories, but I also love watching long TV series on Netflix. I am passionate about exploring different cultures, traveling, and sharing the love and values that my parents have instilled in me and my two younger brothers. Hopefully, one day I will not only be a scientist but also a neurologist who contributes to the betterment of my community. You’ll find me in many places because I love keeping myself busy, so if you ever see me, don’t hesitate to say ‘hey’—I’m always eager to meet new people!
Abdullah Saleh
Sunlight International School
Syrian student in Saudi Arabia
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Computer Science
Hello everyone! My name is Abdullah, and I’m from Syria—a country that has faced immense challenges over the years. Today, as I write this, I feel an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. I can’t wait to meet others who share my passion for Computer Science and my long-term vision of leveraging technology to make the world a better place.
Over the past three years, chess has become more than just a game to me—it’s been a teacher and a constant source of wisdom. Two of the most valuable lessons it has taught me are long-term planning and the power of sacrifice. Whether it was sacrificing sleep to learn coding or setting a goal to take AP exams years in advance, every move I made eventually paid off. In my free time, you’ll often find me reading, writing, or solving math problems—yes, I’m a huge math nerd!
During my visits to Syria, I witnessed firsthand the lasting effects of poverty on my community—where even basic necessities like electricity were scarce. This stark contrast between the flourishing cities of Saudi Arabia and the struggles of Syria made me deeply aware of the vast disparities existing in our world. Determined to make a difference, my friends and I founded Muslim TechBridge, a non-profit initiative aimed at supporting underprivileged Muslim communities. Through our fundraising efforts, we have been able to assist people in Syria, India, and Sudan. Witnessing the profound impact of this initiative has only strengthened my commitment to leveraging technology as a force for meaningful change.
I’m truly honored to be a recipient of this esteemed scholarship, and I can’t wait to embark on a challenging and rewarding journey at the University of Toronto!
Lou-Anh Sinnassamy
Rochambeau, The French International School
French student in Maryland, U.S.A.
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Social Science
Hi! I’m Lou-Anh, French-born but raised just outside Washington, DC. Attending a French International school has allowed me to embrace both my French and American identities, and I will graduate with both a French Baccalauréate and a US High School Diploma. Studying Honors Natural Sciences and Honors Geopolitics in my junior year sparked my interest in public policy and conservation biology. At the University of Toronto, I hope to merge these fields to drive global environmental change.
I’m active in community outreach, serving as spokesperson and co-president of the Eco-Representatives student organization and founder and president of RochamGrow, a campus greenhouse restoration club. My most rewarding service experience was coaching children with disabilities in sports through KEEN Kids Sports. I’ve also participated in the National High School Model UN for two years, representing Mexico and Egypt, and debating topics like indigenous environmental rights and transnational organized crime.
As a former gymnast and current Varsity volleyball team captain, I enjoy staying active. I also love playing guitar and piano. Along with my passion for the environment, my parents instilled in me their love of classic rock, and I look forward to sharing my vinyl collection with new peers!
When I was six, I wanted to grow up to be Jane Goodall. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t concerned about our planet’s future. Now, more than ever, I am determined to pursue an education that will allow me to make a positive environmental impact. Thank you, U of T, for helping me make my six-year-old self proud!
Hilary Nabilayi Wekesa
Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa
Kenya
Faculty of Arts and Science, Victoria College, Computer Science
Hello! My name is Hilary. I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, but I currently reside in the coastal city of Mombasa, where I am completing my final year of the IB Diploma Programme. I am incredibly honored to be a Lester B. Pearson Scholar and to join the U of T community. I can’t lie, adapting from the constant heat of Mombasa to the cold of Toronto will be a challenge, but I am so looking forward to it!
My journey so far has been about finding order and opportunity in chaos. I’m that person who voluntarily jumps into the deep end while forgetting I can’t swim. I love to thrust myself into unfamiliar situations and grow from them, even if they don’t turn out as expected. Imagine I ran for school president as a new student! I lost, but I thoroughly enjoyed campaigning and rehearsing my speech with my roommate. What’s important to me? Nyama choma (Kenyan barbecue) nights with my extended family where we laugh, cry, argue, and of course, feast; my dogs, Dory and Abby, who always seem to understand how I’m feeling; learning from my mistakes (I’ve had my fair share of practice); my Karura Forest membership, which lets me get lost in nature for hours; and lastly, thoughtfulness in all I do.
I am incredibly grateful to be among this talented cohort of Pearson Scholars. As Kenya’s self-appointed cultural ambassador (complete with Kenya bracelets and an uncanny ability to connect any situation to a Swahili proverb), I can’t wait to interact with U of T’s diverse student body. U of T, here I come!
Get to know all of this year’s Lester B. Pearson International Scholars at the University of Toronto.
Photos and bios courtesy of the University of Toronto.