The Max Bell School is thrilled to have welcomed its sixth MPP cohort, with 29 new students representing 12 different nationalities. The cohort is not only diverse in its background but also in the experiences they bring to McGill and Montreal.
This year the Max Bell School attracted two McCall MacBain Scholars: Al-Amin Ahamed 补苍诲听No茅mie Veilleux, selected among hundreds of applicants for the fourth class of to join our sixth cohort of MPPs. The McCall MacBain Scholarships also offered entrance awards to top candidates who were not selected as scholars:聽Isabella Coronado Doria, Suhanya Joseph de Saram, Jacob Kates Rose, 补苍诲听Bianca Mammarella. Nickson Mugabi and Husein Pumaya Yakubu are our two Mastercard Foundation Scholars聽for this year. The scholarship stands as the largest leadership initiative that aims to bring together gifted leaders and changemakers from across Sub-Saharan Africa at the master鈥檚 level who aspire to improve and transform nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture across Africa.
We take pride in the professionally and academically diverse cohorts we have, a key component of our stimulating program that strives to challenge students every day to improve their analytical abilities. And while their experiences may be highly varied, the students share the common goal of shaping policy in a constantly evolving global landscape.
Al-Amin Ahamed, one of our McCall MacBain Scholars, has a background in life sciences, pharmacy, and global health. He graduated from the Doctor of Pharmacy program as a U of T Global Scholar. Al has worked in various health organizations, including the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacitics and the Hospital for Sick Children, and co-founded TRUSTi, a harm reduction venture for illicit drug users. With an innate interest in the intersections of policy and health systems, Al enters the MPP program as a McCall MacBain Scholar, striving to optimize healthcare access for marginalized groups through policy-driven interventions.
Jorge Seth Bumagat was born in the Philippines and spent his early childhood in New Zealand prior to settling in Alberta, Canada. He recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Chemical Engineering in the Co-operative program. His experiences range from analyzing micropollutants in Calgary鈥檚 Bow River, exploring tailings treatments and management, and investigating the use of data communication tools for water policy in the Philippines鈥� Laguna Lake. With his background in Chemical Engineering and research, he hopes to bring a unique perspective to public policy. He embarks on his journey at the Max Bell School with aspirations of being at the forefront of addressing global and societal issues at the intersections of engineering, science, and policy.
Originally from Uganda, Nickson Mugabi graduated from Makerere University Law School with a degree in Law. He brings expertise in administration, advocacy, activism, research, and alternative dispute resolution to the community of those among whom have crossed the lethal strike involved in the pursuit of social justice. Passionate about creating positive change, Nickson is committed to continuous learning and seeking innovative tools to enhance the dignified respect of all humans as equal.
Suhanya Joseph de Saram is a development practitioner hailing from Colombo, Sri Lanka. She graduated from Sciences Po where she was awarded the to move to McGill. Suhanya has a strong interest in socio-economic and climate policy, and has worked in the NGO and development sector in Sri Lanka with a particular focus on women's rights. With an academic background in policy and governance from undergrad, she is eager to continue exploring fundamental policy issues and evolving policy narratives whilst at Max Bell School.
Bianca Mammarella聽attended McMaster University for Integrated Science with an interdisciplinary minor in community engagement and a concurrent certificate in leadership, equity and social change. Bianca clocked more than . The conference's wunderkind pulled off this feat while taking a full course load, co-founding two student groups, offering peer support for students experiencing disability and working part-time as both a pharmacy assistant and a research assistant in the fields of resuscitation and electrophysiology. Moving to Max Bell, her interests lie dig deeper into health policy, specifically in resuscitation, science knowledge translation and the intersectionality of health.
No茅mie Veilleux, our second McCall MacBain Scholar,聽is a sexologist who graduated with honors from Universit茅 du Qu茅bec 脿 Montr茅al. She is involved in research and program design aimed at addressing and preventing sexual violence in educational settings. No茅mie has also worked on the implementation of public health policies within Quebec's Ministry of Higher Education. She is passionate about outdoor activities and sustainable changes that arise from the convergence of knowledge development, community action, and inclusive public policy. She is excited to join Max Bell community to further enhance her skills and critical thinking.
Originally from Ghana, Husein Pumaya Yakubu is dedicated to advancing effective public governance and land administration. With a strong background in Land Management and over five years of professional experience in land administration and government, Pumaya has played a key role in revising Ghana's National Land Policy and contributing to drafting the Regulations for the Land Act of Ghana. He also leads the secretariat of the Ghana Land Sector Multi-Stakeholder Platform. By joining the Max Bell School of Public Policy, Pumaya aims to hone his public policymaking and analysis skills further, positioning himself to promote resource equality and enhance public sector management in Africa and beyond.
Visit the online profiles of our sixth cohort to learn more about their work and educational experiences.
