Dr. Forough Khadem Scholarship memorializes Mitacs staff member and University of Manitoba alumna

Winnipeg, MB — In recognition of Forough Khadem, PhD, a Mitacs employee and renowned scientist who died in the Flight PS752 crash in Tehran on January 8, 2020, Mitacs and the University of Manitoba have partnered to develop a scholarship in her honour.

The Dr. Forough Khadem Scholarship has been set up through the University of Manitoba to honour Forough’s life, spirit and work. She came to Canada from Iran to pursue her PhD in immunology at the University of Manitoba. The scholarship recognizes outstanding international female graduate students in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), coming to Canada to further their education and to make the world a better place.

“The U of M is still grieving the loss of Dr. Khadem and the other talented members of our university community who were lost that tragic day,” says David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba. “We are committed to supporting Mitacs in their efforts and share their desire to channel our collective grief towards a positive cause – one that will see Forough’s passion for helping others through science endure for generations.”

The scholarship will be presented to an international woman graduate student at either the master’s or PhD level, accepted into a University of Manitoba program within the STEM disciplines, who demonstrates leadership and a desire to have an impact on the world through her science, and who embodies a pioneering spirit. The scholarship will be presented to a scholar coming to Canada to pursue opportunities not available in her home country.

“We will remember Forough for so many things: her excellence in research, her passion for collaboration and for Mitacs, her enthusiasm for innovation in Manitoba, her dedication to supporting women in STEM, and her positive outlook on life, and much more,” says Eric Bosco, Mitacs Chief Business Development Officer, who leads the business unit in which Forough worked. “She will always be remembered by her colleagues across Canada.”

“During the aftermath of such a tragedy, I’m pleased that we can shine light on Forough’s life and her accomplishments through this scholarship. We sincerely hope that the Dr. Forough Khadem Scholarship pays tribute to and honours the legacy of our dear friend and colleague, while supporting the next generation of women in STEM research who follow in her footsteps.”

This scholarship is provided by an initial commitment of annual funding by Mitacs to support the first two scholarship recipients. The establishment of an endowment with contributions from friends, colleagues, and partner organizations will support the scholarship in perpetuity. The scholarship will be presented to one scholar for the 2020–21 academic year, renewable for one year, in the amount of $15,000 per year. One additional scholar will be selected in each subsequent academic year.

To contribute, please visit the University of Manitoba scholarship fundraising page: https://give.umanitoba.ca/ForoughKhadem

Quick facts:

• Mitacs, a not-for-profit organization, fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from the best academic institutions at home and around the world.
• Working with more than 100 post-secondary institutions, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada. Open to all disciplines and all industry sectors, projects span a wide range of areas, including manufacturing, business processes, IT, social sciences, design, and more.
• Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada and every province, as well as academic, industry, and international partners.

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