Western University is the latest top university to join with SHAD, a prestigious program which brings the best and the brightest high school students to university campuses across the country every July for an intense program that helps them reach their full potential.
SHAD, founded in 1980, has become known as an incubator for innovation and entrepreneurship among these students who specialize in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math).
With an impressive list among its 15,000 alumni which includes 30 Rhodes Scholars, SHAD has seen a record number of applications for two years straight.
“We are thrilled to be coming to Western,” says SHAD President, Barry Bisson. “SHAD helps identify and foster top talent and Canada’s future leaders. And it goes without saying that many of these leaders will choose to come back to Western for their studies.”
For Western University President, Amit Chakma, connecting these future leaders while they are still in high school to one of the country’s most respected institutions with some of the top professors and facilities in the country is a perfect match.
“Western’s vision is to be a destination of choice for the world’s brightest minds seeking the best learning experience at a leading Canadian research university,” Chakma says. “Last year, our first-year undergraduate class arrived at Western with the highest average entering grade among Ontario universities, which is compelling evidence of the fact that we attract the very best students from across Canada and around the world. Once SHAD participants get a taste of the Western Experience I have no doubt many will choose to return to campus to pursue their postsecondary studies.”
Western becomes the 12th host university campus around the country for the one-month residential program with places highly sought after by students who go through a rigorous competition and application process.
A typical day at SHAD includes experiential learning, from class to labs and beyond. Students are inspired by university professors, business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, who help them set aspirational goals and envision their own extraordinary potential.
Each year, the program has a specific theme, built around a current economic and social problem. The students collaborate to develop a unique innovative product or service that addresses the issue. As part of this engineering and design challenge, teams are taught how to build a business and marketing plan, and design and build working prototypes. Winning projects advance to national judging and results are celebrated each fall.
SHAD ALUMNI SUCCESS
• 30 SHADs are Rhodes Scholars
• 78 SHADs are Loran Scholars
• 37 SHADs have been named Top 20 Under 20
SHADs are leaders in many fields including a world leading stem cell researcher, a NASA Researcher involved in Mars discovery, an International best-selling author, a top NHL executive with the Dallas Stars, and a serial entrepreneur and Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
ABOUT SHAD
SHAD www.shad.ca is a Canadian charitable non-profit organization that helps exceptional high school students recognize and envision their full potential as tomorrow’s leaders and change makers. Each year, the SHAD program provides the opportunity for more than 600 students from across Canada and internationally to attend a transformational month-long summer program at one of 12 Canadian host communities focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math). There are currently more than 14,800 SHAD alumni all sharing the Uncommon Purpose of the SHAD experience and able to leverage their SHAD network for life. The SHAD 2016 program will take place from July 3 to 29.
ABOUT WESTERN
Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Teddy Katz
Vice President, Media Relations | SHAD
media@shad.ca | office (519) 884-8844 ext. 226 | mobile (647) 505-8095
Stephen Ledgley
Senior Media Relations Officer, Western University
519-661-2111 x85283
sledgley@uwo.ca
Tags
