2025 International Student Awards honour success, journeys of five exceptional students

Sheridan recently honoured the success and journeys of five international students as part of the college's annual International Education Week (IEW) celebrations.

Daljit Kaur, Ding Jiawen, Jivesh Malhotra, Navneet Kaur Johal and Glaron Pinto were the recipients of this year's International Student Awards, which took place Friday, Nov. 21 in The Den student space at Sheridan's Davis Campus in Brampton. The event also featured a panel discussion titled Bridging Worlds: How International Students and Alumni Transform Canada, performances, food and networking opportunities with international Sheridan alumni.

International Education Week is celebrated in the third week of November by schools around the world, recognizing how global learning brings people and cultures together.

Sheridan's 2025 IEW initiatives also included a Letters To Home Display that invited international students to write heartfelt notes to their former selves about what life at Sheridan and in Canada truly feels like; International Movie Nights; a Global Village that represented countries and culture through displays, music, languages and traditions; and a Learn A Sport Series that celebrated global connection through participation in badminton, cricket and pickleball.

Below are brief bios of each of Sheridan's 2025 International Student Award recipients.

International Creative Achievement

Daljit Kaur (Personal Support Worker, Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies)

Daljit is an exceptionally talented visual artist who inspires others and fosters cross-cultural dialogue. Her project 'Bridges of Colour' promote intercultural understanding and global unity.

Community Impact

Ding Jiawen (Honours Bachelor of Science - Nursing, Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies)

Ding demonstrates extraordinary commitment to community health. She volunteers in wellness programs, promotes mental health literacy, and organizes culturally sensitive care initiatives. Her self-care workshops empower women, and her peer mentorship strengthens collaboration among nursing students.

Emerging Scholar/Innovator

Jivesh Malhotra (Computer Systems Technology - Software Development and Network Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology)

Jivesh maintains a 3.88 GPA and applies technical knowledge to real-world projects. His work includes a Time-Card Management System and a PDF Filler Application, showcasing initiative and practical problem-solving skills.

Global Citizen Award

Navneet Kaur Johal (Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology)

Navneet promotes global understanding through mentorship, cultural programming, and community initiatives. She has supported food distribution programs, organized inclusive events, and participated in leadership competitions, fostering empathy and cross-cultural learning.

Exceptional Leadership

Glaron Pinto (Honours Bachelor of Information Sciences — Cyber Security, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology)

Glaron exemplifies leadership through roles as Peer Mentor, Student Ambassador, and Wing Lead. His contributions include supporting new students, serving on the Sheridan Student Union Board, and participating in innovation projects with Enactus and the EDGE Advisory Board. A project he led for Enactus — AiDivisor, an AI-driven platform designed to enhance student access to academic advising — was Second Runner-Up at the Enactus Central Canada Regional Innovation and Impact Challenge, and Glaron received the Enactus Canada Bronze Award in recognition of his dedication and service hours to the club.

Pictured in body of article are (top photo) three students smiling through a cutout in a decorative poster celebrating Colombia and (bottom photo) panelists in the Bridging Worlds: How International Students and Alumni Transform Canada discussion.