Irtaza Ahmad

Impact of receiving this award:

“Receiving the Trevor Harrison Civic Engagement Scholarship from the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is an immense honour and deeply meaningful to me. This scholarship not only provides financial support for my pursuit of higher education but also serves as a profound recognition of the challenges my family and I have faced due to my father’s battle with a brain tumour. It reinforces my commitment to making a positive impact on public policy and politics, just as Mr. Trevor Harrison did throughout his life. This award empowers me to be a voice for those affected by brain tumours, advocating for their needs and raising awareness of their struggles. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and honoured to be the inaugural recipient of this award. I am determined to honour Mr. Trevor’s legacy by working tirelessly towards a better Canada for all.”

Final Report

I wanted to share how the Trevor Harrison Civic Engagement Scholarship supported my studies and shaped my academic direction. I used the award to help fund an additional summer course, Political Science 2219E: The Politics of Human Rights. The course deepened my understanding of how international and domestic institutions (including the United Nations, human-rights treaties, and the International Criminal Court) intersect with comparative country cases and the political theory behind rights. Since receiving the scholarship, my academic path has evolved. I originally pursued a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies, but I have now fully transitioned to a double major in Political Science and Governance, Leadership & Ethics at Huron University College (Western University). This change reflects my decision to focus my education on what I care about most: politics, civic engagement, and the public good. The knowledge and skills I am building are especially in political literacy, ethical leadership, and informed decision-making. This is preparing me to contribute meaningfully in the future. In the spirit of Mr. Trevor Harrison’s legacy, I intend to continue to work alongside candidates and initiatives that advance compassionate, community-minded policy. I remain deeply grateful for this scholarship. It enabled timely coursework that keeps me on track academically and has given me the confidence to commit to a field where I can make a lasting civic contribution.