SFU student among finalists selected for the prestigious McCall MacBain Scholarships

Simon Fraser University student Sayyidah Jaffer is in the running for a McCall MacBain Scholarship, Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarship program for master’s and professional studies.

Sayyidah, a student in SFU's French Cohort Program in Public and International Affairs, will travel to Montreal in March for her final interview to secure a fully-funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University—an opportunity that encompasses mentorship, coaching, and leadership development.

Over 700 Canadians applied for this scholarship and Sayyidah is now among 91 finalists from around the world. Up to 30 students will be selected, based on criteria such as character, leadership potential, and academic strength.

Sayyidah’s community contributions include nearly a decade of volunteering at the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre and coordinating the centre’s participation in Doors Open Richmond. On campus, she serves on SFU’s Political Science Student Union, helped edit the political science undergraduate journal and has led social media for the French conversation club.

Sayyidah says she intends to pursue a master’s degree in anthropology or sociology at McGill and apply this knowledge to support vulnerable members of society.

“I am interested in focusing on the history and contemporary intersections of immigration, social movements, and health,” she says. “I hope to examine these questions alongside the larger media discourse and political language that often dehumanizes immigrant and refugee communities.”

Canadian finalists not chosen will receive a $10,000 Finalist Award.

SFU Linguistics undergraduate student Janna Grant was also among the top candidates in the McCall MacBain Scholarships selection process, earning a $5,000 Regional Award.

The scholarships are the result of a landmark $200 million gift to McGill in 2019 by John and Marcy McCall MacBain, then the largest single donation in Canadian history.

SFU is grateful to the McCall MacBain Foundation for its visionary leadership and investment in higher education across Canada, fostering innovation and empowering future generations.