2025 Scholarship Recipients: Investing in the Future

TRREB Awards Scholarships to Eight Talented Secondary School Students

TRREB believes in education and supporting the next generation, which is why our Past President’s Scholarship awards have been supporting talented high school students since 2007. This year, a total of $286,500 has been awarded to 81 students to help them pursue higher education and take meaningful steps towards their goals.

The scholarship recipients were selected based on compelling essays exploring issues shaping the real estate industry today. They come from diverse backgrounds and have varied interests and ambitions. The first-place winners, Akishai Sabaratnasarma and James Thomas, each received $5,000.

Akishai, who will study Software Engineering at the University of Waterloo, has a passion for housing, infrastructure, and traffic solutions. He has led hackathons, launched nonprofits, and conducted research at the University of Toronto. James, on the other hand, is entering Environmental Planning at the University of Waterloo. He hopes to help create more sustainable and better-connected communities by designing cities and transportation systems.

The second-place winners, Matthew Luke and Zaima Dewan, received $2,500 each. Matthew, an engineering student at Western University, is a track and field athlete and volunteer coach with a love for the outdoors and music. Zaima, who will attend the University of Toronto for Engineering Science, aims to build solutions that improve quality of life for people and communities.

Aliya Arnette and Kaydan Gupta, the third-place winners, received $2,000 each. Aliya, studying Management and International Business with Co-op at the University of Toronto, is a swim instructor, volunteer, and youth advocate interested in launching her own real estate-focused business. Kaydan, who will study finance and law at Queens University, aims to create accessible housing and innovative workspaces supporting long-term community growth.

Lastly, Michal Ilyayev and Sanford Purdon, the fourth-place winners, each received $1,500. Michal, a Computer Science student at McMaster University, is developing a student-focused rental platform and supporting paediatric oncology patients. Sanford, who will study Kinesiology at the University of Guelph-Humber, aims to bring wellness into lifestyle-focused real estate and build a career rooted in service and personal growth.

Congratulations to all the 2025 Past President’s Scholarship winners! For more information on TRREB’s Past President’s Scholarship and details on how to apply for the 2026 scholarships, visit their website.