Scholarship Awards

The Vancouver Section of the IEEE will award up to four $2,000 scholarships to IEEE student members enrolled in IEEE related programs who best meet the objectives and criteria of the scholarships. These scholarships are awarded annually. Each award is named in honour of a distinguished contributor to the IEEE Vancouver Section.

- Thurb Cushing Scholarship Award
  This award is presented in memory of deceased outstanding individuals of the Section. Thurb Cushing’s leadership played a pivotal role in the development of the telecommunications industry in British Columbia in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Cushing’s legacy lives on in the success of many of BC’s telecommunications companies such as Sierra Wireless and MDA. In recognition of Cushing’s technical contributions and leadership, this scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated high scholastic attainment. Other considerations include a demonstrated interest in student affairs, particularly in a Student Branch of the IEEE.

- Hector J. MacLeod Scholarship Award
  This award is presented in honour of Dr. MacLeod, who joined UBC as professor and head of the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in 1936, served as Dean of Applied Science from 1950-53, and received the McNaughton Medal in 1972 for his pioneering achievement in electrical engineering education in Western Canada. In recognition of his work in engineering education, this scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated pioneering efforts in their chosen field of study and attained high scholastic honours. Like the Thurb Cushing Scholarship Award, applicants for this scholarship will also be given special consideration if they have been involved with a local student branch.

- John Deane Scholarship Award
  In honour of Senior Life Member John Deane, this award recognizes his active IEEE involvement. He joined IEEE in 1932 as a UBC student and remained active through his semi-retirement in the Vancouver Area in 1976. In keeping with Deane’s long service to the IEEE, this award honours active involvement in the IEEE and in extra-curricular student affairs, particularly in a Student Branch of the IEEE. The student should have high scholastic standing and demonstrated initiative in their chosen field.

- John S. MacDonald Scholarship Award
  In honour of engineering icon Dr. John Spencer MacDonald, this award recognizes passion for engineering excellence. In 1969 John co-founded MacDonald, Dettwiler, and Associates (MDA) and as President and CEO he led a company that among numerous achievements would shape the destiny of Canada’s role in space. Dr. MacDonald’s access to RADARSAT imagery made him aware of our globe’s shrinking ice cap, ultimately inspiring him to found Day 4 Energy, a company focused on renewable energy. In recognition of Dr. MacDonald’s legacy of engineering excellence, this scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit as well as an interest in sustainability.

Application Requirements & Eligibility

The award competition is open to undergraduate and graduate IEEE student members within the Vancouver Section’s geographic area (BC Province, excluding Vancouver Island).

The application should provide all of the following:

- Applicant information: Name, phone number, e-mail address, postal address, student status (graduate or undergraduate), IEEE membership status, and IEEE number.

- Reference information: Name, academic and/or IEEE membership status, phone number, and e-mail address for each of two references who will confirm the student information provided in the application. Suggested references are: members of the teaching staff of the university, IEEE members (any membership grade), student activities references, present or former employers.

- Application letter: Explaining why the student meets the objectives of the scholarship program, particularly with reference to their participation in academic and student activities. The letter should be no more than one page long.

- Evidence of academic achievement: A copy of the student transcript should provide sufficient evidence.

Successful applicants will be invited to receive their award at the IEEE Vancouver Section Annual General Meeting.

Please ensure applications meet the stated requirements. Please direct questions to your IEEE Student Branch Counselor, or to the Scholarship Committee Chair Mandeep Pannu (mandeep.pannu@ieee.org).

A single application will be considered for all four awards – separate applications are not required.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the online application form

The deadline for submission of the applications is Friday, Mar. 15th 2024 at 11:59PM.

Funding – How to Contribute

The IEEE Vancouver Section Scholarships are funded by donations made by members and friends of the Vancouver Section, and by special donations make by the Section itself. Contributions made by individuals are tax deductible. For additional information and to contribute to the Vancouver Section Scholarship Fund, please visit:

https://www.ieeecanadianfoundation.org/EN/donations.php