People
Jaspreet Kaur Khangura: Sikh-Canadian Named 2010 Rhodes Scholar
NEWS REPORTS
A Sikh-Canadian student at the University of British Columbia ("U.B.C."), currently studying medicine, has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
The $150,000 scholarship will enable Jaspreet Kaur Khangura to focus her studies on international health issues.
Only 11 scholars are named annually across Canada.
Jaspreet Kaur has been heavily engaged in volunteerism, student leadership, and peer support, including UBC's Sci Team student development program. The $150,000 award includes tuition, college fees, and a stipend covering living expenses for two and possibly three years of study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Jaspreet, a student in her senior year of UBC's Doctor of Medicine program, plans to pursue the MSc in Global Health at Oxford to prepare for a career in health care. Her keen interest in social justice issues has inspired her to remain committed to volunteer work and community development projects both locally and globally. Some of her numerous volunteer projects have included the establishment of a Kids Can Free the Children chapter and Humanitarian Outreach Program, raising money for children in developing countries.
She has worked at local food banks, and with the Community Health Initiative by University Students clinic in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. In addition, she travelled to the Himalayas with a team of medical students to conduct health screenings and promote hygiene and nutritional education. Locally, she worked to help develop a community health outreach program for new immigrants and subsequently developed workshops for the local YMCA and Vancouver Immigrant Society.
Jaspreet participates actively in athletics and has been a member of Team Alberta's Field Hockey team and a past silver medalist at the Canada Summer Games. 


The Rhodes Scholarships, established in 1902, were designed to bring outstanding students from across the world to study at Oxford University, in the interests of promoting international understanding and public service. One student from every province is chosen each year.
The scholarships require a high level of literacy and scholastic achievement, success in sports, strong qualities of leadership and character, and evidence of public service. Past recipients include former U.S. President Bill Clinton, world renowned economist Sardar Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner.
December 17, 2009
Conversation about this article
1: Karam Singh (Sydney, Australia), December 17, 2009, 12:34 PM.
This is no ordinary achievement! Congratulations for being selected one of a handful from across the globe! The Sikh community worldwide should be immensely proud of you ... this is only the beginning of many better and bigger things to come, I'm sure.
2: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), December 17, 2009, 3:25 PM.
Congratulations! And you have a wonderful record of community service as well. Treasure the triumph as you can continue to reach higher.
3: Baljit Singh Rihal JP (London, United Kingdom), December 17, 2009, 4:43 PM.
Congratulations to Jaspreet Kaur for achieving such an honour. It's inspiring to see a Sikh woman gaining entry into one of the world's most pretigous universities with such an honour. She is most definately a role model to all Sikhs.
4: Jaspreet Singh (Washington DC, U.S.A.), December 17, 2009, 7:40 PM.
Simply wonderful news.
5: Parminder Singh (Chandigarh, Punjab), December 18, 2009, 6:01 AM.
You are a great role model for our young ones.
6: Ravneet Kaur Tiwana (Fremont, California, U.S.A.), December 18, 2009, 7:49 PM.
Congratulations! Great work, Jaspreet!
7: Bakhsish Singh (Brampton, Ontario,Canada), December 19, 2009, 1:49 AM.
Excellent. Kudos to Jaspreet Kaur for her achievement. This is something to be truly proud of.
8: Gurnish Singh Nayyar (India), December 19, 2009, 8:06 AM.
Great work, Jaspreet. You are a role model to us all.
9: Jagmohan Singh (Ludhiana, Punjab), December 20, 2009, 1:30 AM.
May Waheguru shower His choicest blessings on you.
10: Parveen Kaur Dhatt (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), December 20, 2009, 1:30 PM.
We are very proud of you! We need to hear more about our rising stars! Congratulations!
11: Neena Cheema (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada), December 21, 2009, 1:47 PM.
Jaspreet ji: How amazing it is to read of your achievements. You make us proud and are a super role model for the future generation. Waheguru has blessed you with a crystal-clear intelligent mind and you have used it so wisely, not wasted on just fads and trends. May Waheguru bless every thing you lay your eyes on. Heartiest congratulations to you and your family.
12: Manjit Kaur Bharj (London, U.K.), December 22, 2009, 6:49 AM.
Congratulations to Jaspreet on her wonderful and great achievement. You are a special role model for my two daughters. We are proud of you.
13: Shaminder (Amritsar, Punjab), January 12, 2010, 11:34 AM.
Jaspreet, you have really re-defined your name. We as a community stand by your side and applaud your colossal achievement and pray to God for your flourishing future.
14: Bhupinder Singh Bharj (England), February 18, 2010, 5:00 AM.
Well done, Jaspreet. Waheguru has been kind enough to use you as an instrument. It's easy to get carried away by praises ordinarily, but you are fairly grounded, I trust. Please, please don't overdo too much charity work either, as you will burn out at a young age otherwise! Do take time out just for yourself too. You so deserve it. Have lots of rest as you are studying to help humanity during your life. How lucky you are. May Waheguru introduce you to His Shabad and Naam too!
15: Virendra Singh Khangura (Ropar, Punjab), April 24, 2010, 7:10 AM.
We are very proud of you for this achievement. Heartiest congratulations to you and your family. Keep it up.
16: Srini Srinivasan (Fremont, California, U.S.A.), July 31, 2010, 3:14 PM.
Truly inspirational. My sons would do well to draw from your experience. Keep it up. We will be following your progress and continued involvement in the community a decade from now.