RBC Awards for Diversity and Innovation in Technology
Overview
The RBC Awards for Diversity and Innovation in Technology will support members of equity-deserving groups studying at the University of Toronto, including Black and Indigenous students and/or women, interested in a career at the intersection of technology and financial services. Applicants will be evaluated based on their academic achievements and innovative accomplishments.
The awards will support up to six eligible students annually over a two-year period:
- Each award will be valued at $15,000 per year
- Renewable for a second year so long as the recipient remains enrolled full-time at U of T and maintains a minimum GPA
2023 Award Recipients
Ipek Akyol
Faculty of Arts & Science,
Computer Science Specialist (Focus in Human-Computer Interaction) and Economics
Ipek is an international student at the University of Toronto, with strong interests in human-computer interaction, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Currently serving as a Director at 180 Degrees Consulting and the University of Toronto Consulting Association, she is working to foster the professional growth of undergraduate students and create social impact through community partnerships. Ipek’s prior experiences at startups have introduced her to the realm of technology-driven social innovation, allowing her to navigate the convergence of technology and business in entrepreneurial endeavours.
Orrin Dahanaggamaarachchi
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering,
Engineering Science
Orrin is a 3rd Year Robotics Engineering student seeking to make an impact at the intersection of technology and aerospace. He has experience working in both technical and non-technical environments, as well as leading a variety of teams. This summer, Orrin was selected as a Zenith National Fellow and spent his time working at Rocket Lab, one of the world’s leading aerospace companies. He is continually improving his knowledge of emerging technologies and hopes to use these tools to create a technology-focused startup in the future.
Helen Li
Faculty of Arts & Science,
Computer Science (AI & NLP focuses) and Statistics
Helen is passionate about leveraging technology as a force for social good and impact. She has explored the world of technology and innovation at Microsoft, AI4Good Lab, Computational Health and Interaction Lab, Citadel, Jane Street, and more. On campus, she is currently a Women in Science and Engineering executive, Department of Computer Science ambassador, and peer mentor for first-year students in Statistics.
Avni Tilva
Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering,
Mechanical Engineering
Avni is a third-year mechanical engineering student specializing in mechatronics and energy and the environment. She enjoys designing and building to turn ideas into reality. This summer, her goal is to do research involving solar energy and materials which may be used for green technology in the future.
Kerem Topal Ismail Oglou
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering,
Computer Engineering
Kerem is a Computer Engineering student at the University of Toronto with a focus on AI and Engineering Business. His journey started at 15 with a 3D-printed animal prosthetics startup, sparking a passion for tech and community service. Kerem is also a Cansbridge Fellow, one of 20 Canadian students with a $10K scholarship and an eye-opening Asia internship, strengthening his dedication to global problem-solving.
Details
- Recipients must be third-year undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the University of Toronto at the time of the award payment (Fall 2023).
- Eligible candidates should identify as Black or Indigenous students and/or women enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, or the Departments of Computer Science, Math or Physics at the Faculty of Arts & Science, UTSC or UTM.
- Recipients must remain full-time students for the entire academic year (2023–2024) in order to retain the award payment.
- Students from equity-deserving groups who are in other technology-focused disciplines or who can demonstrate technology-focused experience will also be considered.
Equity-deserving groups at U of T include:
| Group | Faculty/Department |
|---|---|
| Black students | All |
| Indigenous students | All |
| First-generation Canadian students | All |
| Refugee students | All |
| Students registered with Accessibility Services | All |
| Women students | Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and/or the Department of Computer Science, Math or Physics at the Faculty of Arts & Science, UTSC or UTM. |
April 10
May 31, 5:00 pm
Deadline to apply
Summer
Adjudication process
Fall
Award recipients announced
All award applications will be reviewed and assessed by an adjudication committee comprising of RBC representatives, entrepreneurship and innovation staff and faculty members, researchers and directors, and will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated interest in exploring a future career in technology
- Experience working on an innovative solution and evidence of an entrepreneurial mindset
- Academic achievement
Please direct all questions regarding the RBC Awards or application process to:
Kay Martinez
Program & Business Services Coordinator, University of Toronto Entrepreneurship
kay.martinez@utoronto.ca
Subject line: Questions: RBC Awards
Applications are now closed for 2023. Thank you for your interest.
Past Recipients
Mouaid Alim (2022)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Program: Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Specialist, Physiology Major and Computer Science Minor
Campus: St. George
Year: 3rd
Sana Hashim (2022)
Faculty of Geography, Geomatics and Environment
Program: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Major and Sustainability and Business & Entrepreneurship Minors
Campus: UTM
Year: 3rd
Yara Nassar (2022)
Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Program: Engineering Science
Campus: St. George
Year: 3rd
Muhammed Yakubu (2022)
Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Program: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Campus: St. George
Year: 3rd