American University of Beirut student Arwa Emhemed (BA '23) is a finalist for the first global cohort of McCall MacBain Scholars at McGill University in Canada.
Designed to encourage purposeful leadership, the scholarships enable students to pursue a fully funded master's or professional degree while participating in mentorship, coaching, and a leadership development program. McGill University was named Canada's best university by QS World University Rankings in June 2022 and ranks 31st in the world.
While the program received interest from students and graduates of more than 1,200 institutions, the American University of Beirut was one of only 65 universities invited to participate in the global call for candidates.
Arwa is the only student from Lebanon and Libya (her home country) among 35 international finalists from 31 universities around the world. Finalists were chosen after a first round of online regional interviews, based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.
She will attend the final round of interviews in Montréal, Canada from March 8 to 12, meeting with leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector. Travel costs for attending final interviews are covered by the scholarship program.
Up to ten international McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. If not selected as a scholar, Arwa is eligible to receive a $20,000 Finalist Award for studies at McGill.
Arwa is studying political science at the American University of Beirut as a Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Tomorrow's Leaders Scholar. She is also minoring in public administration and international law. Aside from academics, she is very active within the campus, where she has mentored about 20 international students, contributed to a support program for refugee teenagers in Lebanon and volunteered as an assistant for the International Committee of the Red Cross in her home country to encourage reintegration of conflict victims in the community. During a semester abroad at the University of Pennsylvania, Arwa volunteered at East New York Farms, a community organization that supports local sustainable farming and drives community-led economic development. Arwa is applying for master's programs with the goal of eventually improving the status of women in Libya and other countries.
“I know how competitive this scholarship is, and I am very proud of myself to have reached this far," said Arwa. “During my master's studies, I wish to explore the possibility of opening a one-stop center for victims of sexual and conflict-related violence in Libya and turning it into a research hub that studies the relationship between gender inequality and violence."
"McGill, Montréal, Québec, and Canada attract talented students from all over the world," said John McCall MacBain, chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “Our aim is to provide a life-changing opportunity for students who have a genuine desire to learn and make a positive impact in society."
“Our committees were delighted to receive great interest from all corners of the world," said Natasha Sawh, dean of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “More than 280 volunteers were involved in assessing candidates. They looked not only for academic strength, but for qualities like integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage."
The scholarships are the result of a landmark $200 million (Canadian dollars) gift in 2019 by John and Marcy McCall MacBain, the second-largest single donation in Canadian history.
Applications for the next McCall MacBain Scholars cohort will open in June 2023 for September 2024 admission. More information will be available on OIP's Awards and Scholarships page.
Find out more about McCall MacBain Scholars: criteria, deadlines, funding, eligibility