By Mark Campbell

Dr. Surya Master (PGM’74) will never forget the generosity he encountered when he arrived at Dalhousie University in 1973.

“In a time of crisis, when you are a refugee and uncertain of your future, any kindness helps.”

One of thousands of South Asians forced to flee Uganda by Idi Amin in 1972, Dr. Master came to the University from England on the advice of a former boss. Enrolled as a resident at the Victoria General Hospital, Dr. Master, who had been chief of pediatric surgery at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, says Dalhousie’s surgical staff treated him as a colleague.

“That is why I decided to make a donation to Dalhousie’s Medical School – because people were so good to me.”

The $1-million donation led to the creation of the Dr. Surya Master Bursary in Medicine, a remarkable commitment not just to the school, but to medical students and the health of Atlantic Canadian communities. The bursary will provide for the complete tuition, mandatory fees and living expenses for students during the entirety of their studies at the medical school.

“It’s a great thing to help someone who wants to be a doctor, but doesn’t have the resources to do it,” says the retired general surgeon. “But this is also about providing for the future of our region.”

Dr. Master explains that the bursary will give preference to students from New Brunswick who plan to practice there after completing their studies at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB). Designed exclusively for New Brunswick residents, the medical school program is delivered at the Saint John campus. “Living in Campbellton, I’ve seen how difficult it is to retain doctors in rural communities. By helping Maritime students, this fund can change that.”

In addition to the bursary, Dr. Master’s donation will also provide support to the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick Medical Student Research Fund. The fund not only covers summer research expenses, it also provides students with a stipend. “Essentially, it’s a salary for conducting research,” says Dr. Master.

Having made his gift to Dalhousie, Dr. Master would like to see other medical school alumni step up. “The university helped us become successful doctors, so we have every reason to give back. And it just feels good. I sleep quite well knowing I’ve helped to make a difference.”