Valeriia Kolesnyk, a graduate of the uOttawa Master of Digital Transformation and Innovation program, found refuge in Canada after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Thanks to funding obtained via the Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship and the NSERC Special Response Fund for Trainees (Ukraine), she was able to pursue her dream of studying abroad.
With over $30,000 in scholarships, Valeriia embarked on her international journey to join the research group of Professor Augusto Gerolin in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. There, she had the opportunity to work on multi-marginal optimal transportation theory and learn state-of-the-art data science methods.
The $1.9 million Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship program was created by the province of Ontario to help Ukrainian undergraduate and graduate students continue their postsecondary education in the province. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, financial need, community engagement, as well the impact of the war on the candidate. Valeriia’s dedication to her community, outstanding academic performance, and the profound effects of the war on her hometown led to her successful application for the scholarship in early 2023.
Valeriia values her connection with the Ukrainian community greatly. She was an active member of the University’s Ukrainian Student Association and participated in various activities to foster unity between Ukrainian students in the uOttawa community. She also supports Ukraine from Canada through fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Reflecting on her journey, Valeriia expressed deep gratitude to Prof. Gerolin, her initial mentor and supervisor in Canada. Recognizing the plight of Ukrainian students whose studies were disrupted by the war, Prof. Gerolin utilized NSERC’s Special Response Fund for Trainees, which was created in recognition of the effects of the crisis in Ukraine on the research landscape. NSERC made additional funding available for grant holders so they could support graduate students or postdoctoral researchers from Ukraine through salaries and stipends.
Through this initiative, Valeriia was connected to Prof. Gerolin, who invited her into his research group to complete her first year of graduate studies. She is also grateful for the guidance of Professor Daniel Amyot, her supervisor in the Master of Digital Transformation and Innovation program. During her master’s, Valeriia contributed to a Decisions for Affordable/Social Housing (DASH)-prototype software project aimed at predicting social housing needs in Canada through data science-driven dashboards.
Valeriia's resilience and dedication are evident in her belief that perseverance through adversity leads to success. Outside her academic endeavors, Valeriia actively seeks opportunities to gain valuable work experience.
In 2023, Valeriia transitioned into her professional career as a Senior Business Solutions Analyst with Deloitte, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities. As she embraces her future, Valeriia encourages graduate students to seize every opportunity and strive for excellence.
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