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UNB students selected to be Zenith Fellows

Author: UNB Newsroom

Posted on Mar 25, 2022

Category: UNB Fredericton

Students from the University of New Brunswick have been selected for a national fellowship program to work with industry professionals at an innovative Canadian space company.

The Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation (ZCPF) is a registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in Canada’s space sector.

UNB students Jagriti Luitel (mechanical engineering) and Daniel Solano (physics and electrical engineering), were named as two of the 10 chosen fellows. Both students will be interning at Wyvern, a Canadian space data company located in Edmonton.

Through their summer work term, the students will be mentored by an industry leader, undertake professional development training and participate in community building activities.

All student fellowships are with a Canadian space organization at one of seven Zenith Fellowship host organizations that align with ZCPF’s mission to sustain and retain talent and support diversity across Canada.

“A Zenith Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for students to benefit from experiential learning in the Canadian space sector to supplement their formal education with practical experience,” says Dr. Richard Langley, a geodesy and geomatics engineering professor and GGE director of graduate studies at UNB.

Nearly 100 students across 22 Canadian universities applied for the mentorship program. The final 10 successful applicants were chosen for their outstanding community involvement, leadership skills, technical capabilities and passion for contributing to the Canadian space sector.

“While Jagriti and Daniel are already getting some exposure to space research and development by working on the CubeSat NB satellite, VIOLET, they will learn even more by working alongside industry professionals during their fellowships,” says Dr. Langley.

ZCPF aims to deliver a national training and career development program designed to bridge gaps between post-secondary and early career work experience with a focus on underrepresented and disadvantaged groups through work-integrated learning opportunities.

Media contact: Kathleen McLaughlin