HALIFAX, May 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Education activist Malala Yosafzai received an honorary doctor of civil law from the University of King's College, Halifax, today at its 225th Encaenia celebrations. To mark the historic occasion, the university announced the creation of the Malala Yousafzai Canada Scholarships.
"I was excited when King's College announced a scholarship for students who are in developing countries," said Malala Yousafzai in a video message. "[The] student who dreams for a better future, for a better world, would get the opportunity for a quality education. And that is what totally made me happy."
The video can be viewed in full at www.ukings.ca/malala
The Malala Yousafzai Canada Scholarships are open to young women from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to afford a post-secondary education. The scholarships will cover all tuition and residence fees plus travel to and from King's, books, and incidentals. The scholarships are renewable through the full four years of an undergraduate degree, at which point a new scholar will be selected. With an annual value of $30,000 Canadian (worth $120,000 over four years), it is the university's largest scholarship offered to international students.
Through an equal partnership with Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), King's is pleased to be able to offer two Malala Yousafzai Canada Scholarships in this inaugural year. The IDRC and the Malala Fund will help King's to identify and nominate qualified candidates.
President George Cooper:
"King's strives to cultivate courage and independence of mind in its students. Malala Yousafzai is an exemplar of these qualities. King's is proud to translate Malala's profound passion for education into a scholarship that will benefit young women in developing countries."
Chair of the King's board of governors Dale Godsoe:
"King's has been educating students for 225 years. We introduced university education in Canada nearly 80 years before Confederation. Malala is a 21st Century pioneer who believes that education is at the heart of our global future. King's honours her commitment and shares her vision. We look forward to welcoming the Malala Yousafzai Canada Scholars to King's.
Chancellor Kevin Lynch:
"Canada is a vibrant democracy. We are blessed to live in a country where the rights of the individual, the role of women, the meaning of human rights, and the due process of the law are respected and upheld. The world needs leaders like Malala who are working to tear down the barriers between and within cultures that hold back our global progress."
Honorary Degree Recipients
In addition to Ms. Yousafzai, the University of King's College also awarded honorary degrees to four highly distinguished recipients, including the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.
Other degree recipients include the Honourable Michael A Meighen, Dr. Carol Ann Charlebois, and Dr. John Hamm. Candidates were selected for their interest in education, their concern for human dignity, their dedication to public service, and their belief that education makes the world a better place. For more information about the recipients, please visit: www.ukings.ca/malala
In his convocation address, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, said of the Malala Yousafzai Canada Scholarship that it is a wonderful way to honour Malala's message, giving young women access to a quality education in our country.
About the International Development Research Centre
A key part of Canada's foreign policy efforts, IDRC supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting solutions that aim to improve lives and livelihoods. Media contact: Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé 613 696-2343 [email protected]
About the Malala Fund
The Malala Fund works to ensure all girls have access to education through empowering girls to unlock their potential, raise their voices and demand change. The Malala Fund works with partners globally to invest in inspired innovation and girl-centric approaches to education.
About Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is an education activist and the cofounder of the Malala Fund. Malala was born in 1997 and grew up in the Swat Valley in northern Pakistan. When the Taliban began attacking girls' schools in her hometown, Malala and her father became outspoken campaigners for the rights of all girls to go to school. At the age of 11 Malala wrote a blog for the BBC that talked about life under Taliban rule. In October 2012, Malala was shot by the Taliban in an assassination attempt. Malala survived, and has gone on to become a leading advocate for girls' education worldwide. She has received numerous awards for her bravery and is the youngest ever Nobel Prize nominee.
About the University of King's College: Established in 1789, King's College is Canada's oldest chartered university. It celebrates its 225th anniversary in 2014. A small and extraordinarily lively academic community located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, King's is known nationally and internationally for its highly acclaimed interdisciplinary programs in the humanities and journalism.
Video with caption: "Video: Malala Yousafzai addresses fellow King's graduates". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140515_C1884_VIDEO_EN_2170.mp4&poster=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20140515_C1884_VIDEO_EN_2170.jpg&order=1&jdd=20140515&cnum=C1884
Video with caption: "Malala thanks King’s for creating scholarships". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140515_C1884_VIDEO_EN_2171.mp4&poster=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20140515_C1884_VIDEO_EN_2171.jpg&order=2&jdd=20140515&cnum=C1884
Image with caption: "Malala receives honorary Doctor of Civil Law from the University of King’s College (CNW Group/University of King's College)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140515_C1884_PHOTO_EN_2172.jpg
Image with caption: "Malala receives honorary Doctor of Civil Law from the University of King’s College (CNW Group/University of King's College)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140515_C1884_PHOTO_EN_2173.jpg
Image with caption: "Malala receives honorary Doctor of Civil Law from the University of King’s College (CNW Group/University of King's College)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140515_C1884_PHOTO_EN_2174.jpg
SOURCE: University of King's College
Media Contacts: Cheryl Bell, Communications Manager, University of King's College, Tel: 902.422.1271 ext 136, Cell: 902.266.9403; Emily Farlow, NATIONAL Public Relations, 902.332.8054, [email protected]
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