To say Jad Sinno is self-motivated is an understatement at best.

“I’m never going to leave the university,” says the first-year Bachelor of Science student, who is working on a combined honours degree in physics and neuroscience. “I’ve been fascinated by the concept of brain function and neurons since high school and I’m a huge fan of modern physics; things like dark matter and string theory.”

That enthusiasm and work ethic is informed, in part, by Jad’s upbringing and family values. Originally from Lebanon, he grew up in Kuwait and immigrated to Canada in 2004 with his parents and two younger siblings. “My parents instilled in me the importance of hard work,” says Jad. “They have always believed in me, but they also have high expectations.”

Winning a $40,000 J & W Murphy scholarship more than met those expectations. “I was overwhelmed when I saw the amount,” says Jad. “I thought, ‘wow, that’s so many zeros!’”

As Jad points out, scholarships are important on multiple levels, providing opportunities for young people to get a first-class education and rewarding merit where it is not typically recognized. “I never got anything back until I received this scholarship, “ says Jad, who completed the challenging IB (International Baccalaureate) program at Halifax West High School. “University is very expensive in general and I was looking at taking on loans and debt to pursue my education. Now I don’t have to worry about any of that.”

Now that he has secured the scholarship, Jad is more determined than ever to excel in his chosen field. “It means so much to me to be able to pursue my education at Dalhousie and it’s thanks to the generosity of people I have never met,” he says. “The scholarship has given me the motivation and a reason to work hard and continue to earn the right to it.”

Photo Credit: Laurus Educational Services