The Queen’s Mastercard Project Office warmly welcomed the 2019 Mastercard PhD Fellows on Monday May 6th, 2019.   The 2019 Mastercard Fellows will be completing disability-related PhDs in the following disciplines:  Kinesiology and Health Studies, Law, Mechanical & MaterialsEngineering as well as Rehabilitation Sciences.  The 2019 Fellows participated in the Mastercard May Orientation to support their cultural transition to Queen’s University, Kingston and Canada. A second orientation in August will provide supports o facilitate their academic transitions to graduate studies at Queen’s University.

During the May Orientation, incoming fellows learnt about the Occupational Therapy profession from 2018 Mastercard OT Fellows: Haben Tesfamichael and Zelalem Demeke. Haben and Zelalem have backgrounds in psychiatricnursing and physiotherapy respectively. They discussed their experiences in the Masters Occupational Therapy program at Queen’s University. Both are in the second year of the Occupational Therapy program and will soon leave for their Clinical Placement.

The May Orientation also  included:  an Accessibility Tour to examine how Queen’s University is improving the accessibility of its built environment, a tour of the Queen’s University International Centre that supports international students and a visit to the Student Academic Success Services which provides supports in writing and learning strategies for students who have English as an Additional Language. Incoming Fellows received an Orientation package with information on various campus and community supports. The 2019 Mastercard PhD fellows are:

 

Ansha Nega Ahmed

Bilen Mekonnen Araya

Birhanu Mulat Addis

Hiwot Temesgen Andualem

Selamawit Workeneh  Kassa

Wondwossen Wakene Firew

Yetnayet Sisay Yehuala