Schulich Leader Scholarship awarded to HDSB’s Aahan Ghode

Aahan Ghode, a Grade 12 student from Iroquois Ridge High School, has been selected as a 2026 Schulich Leader, one of Canada’s most prestigious STEM scholarships. Recognized for his academic excellence, leadership and entrepreneurial mindset, Aahan will receive a Schulich Leader Scholarship worth $120,000 to pursue his post-secondary studies in computer engineering.

Nominated by Iroquois Ridge HS teacher Kate O'Connor, Aahan was selected by the University of Toronto to receive the scholarship, which supports outstanding students pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM. In addition to significant financial support, Schulich Leaders gain access to a national network of student enrichment opportunities and leadership development experiences.

Aahan will be attending the University of Toronto’s Computer Engineering program this fall.

“Receiving the Schulich Leader Scholarship is one of the greatest honours of my academic journey,” says Aahan. “Along with the financial support, it represents recognition of the values that have guided me throughout high school: curiosity, initiative, leadership and a commitment to using STEM to solve real problems.”

Aahan is sure to express his appreciation for those who helped him in his journey to this accomplishment. 

“I am incredibly grateful to my teachers, mentors, family and the entire Iroquois Ridge community for creating an environment where I was encouraged to pursue ambitious ideas and grow through challenges,” he says. “Whether through engineering projects, research opportunities, entrepreneurship or community initiatives, I have been fortunate to learn from people who continually pushed me to think bigger and work harder. This award motivates me to continue building solutions that create meaningful and lasting impact.”

Throughout high school, Aahan pursued opportunities to deepen his passion for STEM both inside and outside the classroom. He challenged himself through advanced courses, mathematics and computing competitions, and enrichment programs including SHAD and the University of Toronto’s DEEP and  engineering programs.

Beyond academics, Aahan demonstrated leadership through entrepreneurship, innovation and community service. He founded GreenGuardian, which delivers environmental education through workshops and digital tools. Through fundraising and community initiatives, he helped raise more than $1,500 to support environmental programming. He also developed a Python-based writing support tool used by more than 80 English language learners, helping students strengthen their writing skills while maintaining their own voice.

As President of the Engineering Club at Iroquois Ridge HS, a leader within HackTheRidge and a mentor in STEM programs, Aahan has worked to create opportunities for other students to learn, collaborate and innovate.

“I have learned that leadership is not just about directing others,” says Aahan. “It is about creating an environment where people can contribute ideas, take ownership and achieve more together than they could individually. These experiences have taught me that innovation becomes meaningful when it is paired with execution and service to others.”

Looking ahead, Aahan is excited to continue exploring the possibilities of engineering and technology at the University of Toronto.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to work at the intersection of software, hardware and artificial intelligence while tackling complex problems alongside talented peers and faculty,” he says. “I hope to develop technologies that improve efficiency, reliability and accessibility in areas such as healthcare, sustainability and public infrastructure.”

“The Schulich Leader Scholarship motivates me to pursue these goals with even greater ambition,” Aahan adds. “Beyond reducing financial barriers, it connects me to a community of innovators and leaders who are committed to making a difference. It reinforces my belief that meaningful impact comes from building solutions that are reliable, scalable and designed to last.”

Iroquois Ridge High School staff are proud to celebrate Aahan’s achievement and the positive impact he has made throughout his time at the school. 

"Iroquois Ridge is so proud of Aahan for earning the Schulich Leader Award," says Iroquois Ridge HS teacher Kate O'Connor. “We're thrilled to see that the Schulich Foundation and the University of Toronto were able to recognize Aahan's curiosity and drive for innovation. He clearly has a passion for using technology to solve real-world problems and we have no doubt that he will carry this entrepreneurial spirit forward into the next chapter of his life. We look forward to seeing what new projects he undertakes in the future."