CREDIT: STEPHANIE LAI
Civil Engineering Technology student Ronan Mao became the fi rst to receive the Schotiabank International Leadership Scholarship on September 29.

A Fanshawe College Civil Engineering Technology co-op student received the inaugural Scotiabank International Leadership Scholarship on September 29 for his hard work and high grade point average.

The scholarship, Ronan Mao won was made possible by a $300,000 contribution from Scotiabank to the college, and it will be put toward Fanshawe’s Remarkable campaign and awarded to a student every semester.

“It’s support from partners like Scotiabank that helps drive our mission forward of providing pathways to success,” said Fanshawe President Peter Devlin. “These scholarships will help us attract many bright and talented international students to Fanshawe and reward the most deserving.”

Devlin said that everyone benefits from the talent that comes from overseas.

“Growing our international student body is a great thing for the college and for our community,” he said. “The [scholarship] will serve to reinforce our intention to provide a global outlook to meet student and employer needs in the years to come.”

Director of credit solutions group, Michael Reid, commended Mao and his academic efforts, calling him a “shining example of the quality of student Fanshawe educates and prepares to enter the work force.”

Mao was thankful during his acceptance.

“It’s a great honour and a privilege to be here on behalf of all international students,” he said. “Coming to Canada to pursue my education and my future has been very rewarding.”

Mao held a cumulative 3.9 grade point average and volunteered in his spare time, delivering food to low-income families and helping new international students get to know London.

He felt that the scholarship was an unexpected but heartwarming nod to his hard work.

“It [was] a mixed feeling of shock and unexpectedness,” he said. “I would have to say this really represents what I’ve done in the past. It bodes well for what will bring to me in the near future.”

Mao is currently on his co-op term and has two more semesters to go. He said the scholarship money would come in handy.

“I’m going to use [it] towards my tuition fee in my third year,” he said. “Certainly, indeed it is helpful.”

He said he’s had a good experience studying in Canada and hopes to stay after his studies.

“What I have seen since I came here is a lot of Canadian people giving out their hands whenever I’m in difficulty,” he said. “They are very nice people. Friendly [and] amiable.”

“I would really love to be a part of this open, friendly and unprejudiced society.”

Mao had advice for fellow international students who hope to receive this award in the future.

“We not only have to care about academic studies,” he said. “We also need to understand what is around us.”

“Once you get the global perspective, you get a higher level of understanding how things around you are working. I think it is very important for student success.”