15-year old Vancouver student receives $80,000 to study at UBC

Cheng Xie couldn’t have imagined as a young child that that he would successfully complete high school early and be awarded Canada’s largest scholarship for students entering undergraduate studies in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).

Throughout his life, he has relocated to four different countries before deciding to settle down in Vancouver. When he commences his studies in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC) this fall, 15-year-old Xie will begin realizing his dream of a career in engineering, receiving $80,000 to support his endeavours. He will be the youngest Schulich Leader to date.

“I am excited and grateful to have the opportunity to follow my dream of becoming an entrepreneur in the field of engineering,” said Cheng Xie. “At the age of 15, I am now looking forward to pursuing studies at UBC. With the support of Schulich Leader Scholarships, I will be empowered to further my engagement and leadership in science for the bettering of our world.”

Among the achievements highlighted in Xie’s Schulich Leader Scholarships application was his role in a project in which local students used waste oil to make and sell environmentally-friendly soap; a bronze award-winning project in the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair that created an alternative to traditional refrigeration; and volunteering at the new UBC EOAS laboratory to support work in the design of electronic systems used for experiments.

“Mr. Xie’s love of science and leadership in successfully engaging and motivating fellow students in school and beyond really stood out to the selection committee,”said Canadian business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich. “Our scholarship is now in its third year and has positively impacted 120 students from across Canada by distributing more than $7.6 million to Canadian students.  We congratulate Mr. Xie for being among the recipients and look forward to his future achievements.”

Nominees of the annual Schulich Leader Scholarships awards program demonstrate at least two of the following attributes: academic excellence, outstanding community, business or entrepreneurial leadership or financial need. This year, there were 1,147 Schulich Leader nominees and 40 winners were selected.

Feature image: UBC via shutterstock