In 2021, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) McMaster Chapter launched a new scholarship awarded annually to Canadian Black students entering the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster. Meet the first recipient, Halima Banuso.
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) McMaster Chapter Entrance Award provides a long-lasting and direct impact at McMaster Engineering. The scholarship provides $2,500 a year to support Black students who demonstrate strong leadership skills and valuable contributions to their community. By celebrating the many exceptional student leaders in the Black community, NSBEMac hopes to inspire and encourage more Black students to apply. Today, we celebrate Halima Banuso, the inaugural winner of this award, and those who have supported the scholarship.
Q1. What do you love most about being part of the Fireball Family?
A: I really love how tight-knit this community is. Since day one of Welcome Week, upper-years have been eager to reach out and lend a helping hand whether that be with academic advice or advice about navigating university life.
This community loves to celebrate each other’s successes and lift one another up and I truly appreciate the friends that I have made here.
Q2. Why should people care about Black History Month?
A: Black History Month is a celebration of resiliency and a chance to learn about voices and milestones that have often been silenced or hidden. Just like all Canadians, Black Canadians have made significant contributions to our society through a multitude of aspects including STEM, the arts, sports, education, civil rights advocacy and so much more. This month is an opportunity for everyone to learn about the systemic barriers throughout history that have negatively impacted the Black community and the barriers that still remain til this day. Black History Month is a reminder of how much we’ve accomplished in terms of breaking down barriers and how much further society still needs to go.
It’s a reminder for everyone to continue educating themselves about how they can be a better ally and contribute to a world that is more equitable and just, not only for Black individuals, but for everyone.
Q3. What barriers have you faced while studying engineering at McMaster?
A: As a visibly marginalized student, I often fear that my peers will make negative assumptions regarding my abilities before properly getting to know me, due to implicit biases. I’m no stranger to walking into a classroom and often feeling like I’m the only one that looks like me.
Sometimes, this makes me more afraid to make mistakes because I fear that someone’s perception of me would negatively impact how they perceive others who look like me. A great thing about this community is how diverse it is and how diverse everyone’s experiences are. Unfortunately, sometimes that means that some students have yet to be exposed to individuals of certain backgrounds and have yet to be properly educated about certain topics. Sometimes I feel that others think that the responsibility lies on marginalized individuals to educate others, however I believe that in a world where we have such a wide access to various forms of information, it’s important that everyone takes the time to educate themselves about equity and diversity in our society rather than relying on marginalized individuals and affected communities to solely take on this responsibility. This is another reason why I believe Black History Month is so important as it encourages everyone to learn more about how we can contribute to a more equitable society.
Q4. How has Mac Eng supported you in your academic journey?
A: As a first-year student entering into engineering, I knew very little about all the streams and specialties that McMaster had to offer. I truly appreciate how the first-year general program provides students with a chance to learn more about each stream and which courses and aspects of engineering that they truly enjoy. Additionally, I’ve been able to gain a lot of academic advice from upper years through the mentorship programs that are offered here at McMaster and through various help sessions and study halls that are run through our courses as well as many academic–based engineering clubs.
Donors share why they give to the NSBEMac scholarship
To date, 41 donors have raised $30,250 towards the goal of $62,500. Reaching this goal will allow NSBEMac to support a student every year in perpetuity.
As a founding member of NSBE McMaster chapter, I am proud of the chapter’s growth over the past 10+ years. As a black engineering alumna, it’s great to see a scholarship targeted towards black students to ease the financial burden so the student can concentrate on academics and University life. – Doyin O.
I see the value of having different life experiences and viewpoints in engineering every day. Knowing more now about the challenges NSBE student engineers face to enter the profession, I want to help NSBE students access University without having to focus on finances. -Anonymous
I believe diversity helps to strengthen a team, and this scholarship will go a long way to increase the number of Black students graduating from McMaster. The best thing about this scholarship is that it gives the chosen student hands-on leadership experience as a part of NSBE McMaster Executive Team. As a previous member of the NSBE McMaster Executive Team, I know that this position is a great team-building, networking, and learning opportunity for any student. -Oyinda G.
NSBE is a club I was the president of at McMaster and helped in draft the first version of the scholarship. I believe financial stress shouldn’t be a worry for under represented 1st year student, who already have a lot to deal with with starting Univeristy. Also by supporting the NSBE scholarship I am support all the hard work from the school and students the establish the scholarship and grew this club that supports so many students. – Abraham O.
As a member of the Fireball Family, I thought it was the right thing to do. Supporting our students in MacEng is important and I will continue to do so when asked. – Anonymous
