Undergraduate Excellence Scholars 2021-2022

The CDSN is happy to welcome our second round of Canadian Defence and Security Network Undergraduate Excellence Scholars, Safia Hafid and Alexander Rizkallah!

Safia Hafid

Safia Hafid (she/her/hers) is a third year Honours student in International Studies at Bishop's University, while also pursuing a minor in Creative Writing and Journalism. She had the privilege of taking part in the 2020-2021 National Model United Nations Delegation from Bishop's University, where they won Outstanding Delegation. Currently, Safia is also employed as the Opinions Section Editor for The Campus, Bishop's student-run newspaper. Her interests in the field of International Relations are specifically how history affects policies and politics today, women's issues and perspectives, security studies, and the relationship between media and politics. Safia hopes to pursue graduate studies in International Relations.

Alexander Rizkallah

My name is Alexander Rizkallah and I'm currently in my final year studying security and policing at the Université de Montréal. I am grateful to be one of the recipients of the CDSN Excellence scholarship. With the Arctic being one of my two major security interests, I am excited to be learning more about this subject from some of the foremost Canadian experts on this subject. Ever since I was a young kid in cadets, I have dreamed of contributing to Canada's security landscape and receiving this scholarship brings me one step closer to my achieving my dreams. Finally, I would like to thank the CDSN for providing young Canadians passionate about security and defense, like myself, the opportunity to focus on, and explore further these interesting and important projects.