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Upkirat Singh Multani, science student

First-year science student Upkirat Singh Multani has ambitious plans to revolutionize agriculture and transform health outcomes in his home country of India. While exploring higher education options, Multani received offers from several institutions across North America. He chose the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, drawn by its strong science program and financial support opportunities.

“I received the U of A’s International Presidential Distinction Scholarship,” Multani said. This scholarship, made possible by the generosity of multiple donors, is awarded annually to a select number of students entering their first year of an undergraduate degree who have both a superior admission average and demonstrated leadership qualities.

Multani fits the bill perfectly. He is an agricultural knowledge seeker, health and wellness advocate, aspiring poet, and philanthropic leader. Back home in India, Multani and his friends created an online platform, , that supports events, workshops and fundraisers for the underprivileged, stray animals, and other worthwhile causes. He isn’t satisfied with just inspiring change; instead, he wants to “be the change.”

That extraordinary determination stems from what the international student saw first-hand back home: increasing air pollution issues, particularly in major cities like New Delhi, and the related health challenges affecting the region.

Farmers around Punjab, where Multani is from, typically grow wheat or rice and burn the stubble in the winter, leading to poor air quality. Witnessing the impact of this motivated Multani to understand the problem and seek practical, science-based solutions.

Now approaching the end of his first year, he said his learning experience has far exceeded his expectations — especially due to the hands-on lab access he’s enjoyed.

“There have been so many experiments in all of the textbooks that I’ve learned throughout my years, and now I get to perform them,” Multani said. “In my Bio labs, I handled different types of equipment that allowed me to learn more about the inner workings of all these chemical and biological processes.”

Being at the U of A has given Multani the full post-secondary experience. With his financial burden eased, Multani spends his free time volunteering with the International Students’ Association, exploring his passion for writing — particularly poetry — and staying active through basketball and workouts at the Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre. He is also able to explore parts of Canada that he has always dreamed of seeing in person.

In the future, Multani hopes to become a physician and focus on the role genetics plays in mental health. He also hopes to one day publish his poetry and become more involved in the conversation surrounding men’s mental health in Canada and back home in India.

For now, he’s looking forward to his second year and is grateful for the support he’s received.

“My mom and dad have worked hard their entire lives. The scholarship I received meant that my parents would not have to spend their life savings on me.”

“Because of the generosity of donors, students like me are able to experience more opportunities and ultimately contribute more to the entire world, and not just the little corner in our country.”

With support from donors, students like Multani can continue shaping the future — both in their own communities and beyond. To learn more about how you can support the next generation, visit Shape the Future today.