'Learn more about ourselves and each other': U of T welcomes its newest Pearson Scholars

Bring your customs, your culture, your language and your viewpoints. 

That was the invitation Sandy Welsh, the University of Toronto’s vice-provost, students, recently extended to more than three dozen international students – all members of this year’s cohort of the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships program.

“That is what truly enriches the experience for everyone in our community and it’s how we learn more about ourselves and each other,” said Welsh at a welcome event held at The Faculty Club on the St. George campus.

Named for Lester B. Pearson, a U of T alumnus, former prime minister and Nobel Prize recipient, the scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, creativity and leadership – and a commitment to making an impact in their communities. It covers four years of study at U of T for first-entry international students in undergraduate programs, including tuition, books, incidental fees and residence support.

“Your successes have brought you to this scholarship, this university, and this extraordinary experience – but success does not mean having to do everything on your own,” said Gwen Burrows, assistant vice-president, international engagement and impact. “There are many people who want to support you. Never hesitate to ask for help when you need it.” 

Meet four of the 2026 Pearson Scholars who attended the event:

Powering a sustainable future for all 

From Nairobi, David Archie Luteka Holi discovered he’d been selected as a Pearson Scholar in the airport during a layover in Doha on his way home from visiting family in India. 

“I thought it was a mistake,” says Holi, adding that he shouted, ran in a circle, then took his mother – who he was travelling with – to lunch to celebrate before the flight home. “I made a very big fool of myself in front of a lot of strangers.” 

Holi, who is studying electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, says he was drawn to U of T because of his passion for sustainability. In Kenya, he says he’s seen how access to electricity, clean water and the internet can transform lives. 

“I really want to work in a way that allows everyone to use the things that we take for granted today,” he says. “So, I want to improve our power systems, power transport, transport of energy.” 

Reminding people what truly matters

A Brazilian student from Portugal, Alice Pedroza Luna will pursue a bachelor’s degree in performance in U of T’s Faculty of Music.

She says she was confident in her choice because U of T is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities and also attracted such talents as Barbara Hannigan, Emily D'Angelo and Russell Braun – all of whom she looks up to. 

Luna says she discovered her passion for opera when she moved from Brazil to Portugal as a child. 

“Art is the most human form of expression that exists,” she says. “In a world marked by war, suffering, injustice, and the rapid rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence, I see it as my way to remind people of what truly matters: life.”

Her dream is to perform in the world's leading opera productions while bringing Brazilian representation to classical music. 

A two-time Pan American karate champion, she hopes to carry the energy, passion and dedication of Brazilian culture into her studies in Canada.

Unleashing human potential

From Uzbekistan, Shohruhmirzo Khudaykulov is entering U of T Scarborough’s co-op life sciences program (health sciences stream) – with plans to major in neuroscience and AI. 

He grew up working in his family’s lemon greenhouse in the ancient city of Karshi, where he developed an early obsession with biological and technological systems. 

“The human brain is the ultimate complex system – and understanding how neural computation works, and how we can mirror or interface with those mechanisms using AI, opens up millions of possibilities for neurotechnology, health innovation and human potential,” he says.

A fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (he collects maps, manuscripts and, while hiking, names rock formations after locations in Middle-earth), Khudaykulov says he chose U of T Scarborough for its academic rigour and peaceful setting – and hopes to use its nearby ravines as a place for creative reflection. 

Having founded a youth medical technology incubator, he knows firsthand the potential that’s unleashed by empowering young minds.

“I hope to bring that same entrepreneurial grit, community-first mindset and collaborative energy to my research and startup ventures at U of T.”

Warmth, community and youth leadership

Maria Paula Araujo Munizaga checked her inbox just minutes before delivering a speech to her classmates at her high school graduation in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

There was an email from U of T. 

“There are two phrases I have carried with me for a long time: ‘What God has prepared for you is meant for you,’ and ‘God’s timing is perfect,’” says Munizaga, who is studying digital enterprise management at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at U of T Mississauga. 

“Receiving the Pearson Scholarship at that exact moment felt like seeing those words come to life.”

Her path to U of T was shaped by years of leadership: serving as president of one of Latin America’s largest youth leadership schools; representing youth at the Women Economic Forum, serving as an ambassador for Inspiring Girls; and founding two youth-led initiatives. 

An avid dancer, she hopes to bring her home country’s sense of warmth and community into her work in Canada.

“I felt that U of T was not only a place where I could pursue my academic goals, but also a place where I could continue growing into the person and leader I aspire to become.”

Read more about the Pearson Scholarship