UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
UPEI graduate student wins national Inclusive Culture Scholarship

Aadesh Nunkoo, a Master of Science student at the University of Prince Edward Island, was recently awarded one of two 2025 Inclusive Culture Scholarships by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) and the Actuarial Students' National Association (ASNA).

Aadesh Nunkoo (second from left), a Master of Science student in mathematics and computational sciences at UPEI, is congratulated on winning a 2025 Inclusive Culture Scholarship by Conrad Ferguson (left), president of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and Athanasios Lavazos (second from right) and Vishal Aggarwal (right), president and vice president business relations of the Actuarial Students' National Association respectively.

The scholarship, valued at $3,000, recognizes and celebrates the importance of diversity and inclusion in the actuarial profession and the broader community. Nunkoo accepted his award at the CIA gala dinner at the 35th ANÉA-ASNA Convention, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on January 18.

"Winning this award is truly special, and I am deeply grateful to the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) and the Actuarial Students' National Association (ASNA) for this recognition," said Nunkoo, who is working toward his graduate degree in mathematics and computational sciences, specializing in statistics. "It acknowledges the hard work and dedication I have invested in my actuarial journey so far, and it is an achievement I will always treasure. I want to thank UPEI for fostering an inclusive and diverse campus, the School of Mathematical and Computational Science (SMCS) for its exceptional actuarial program, and the UPEI Actuarial Club for supporting actuarial career development and networking. I also hope this award inspires others to persevere in their actuarial aspirations and never give up, no matter the challenges."

Nunkoo said the award will inspire him to continue striving for excellence in the actuarial field and grow professionally and personally. With the scholarship, he will be able to take further actuarial exams and invest in learning resources, which will allow him to gain deeper insights into the field.

"It will also give me the confidence to aim higher in my goal of making meaningful contributions to the actuarial profession," he said.

After completing his master's degree, Nunkoo plans to continue his journey in the actuarial profession by obtaining additional actuarial credentials and exploring roles in the insurance industry.

"I am particularly interested in leveraging my expertise in data analysis, along with the knowledge I have gained throughout my studies, to tackle complex problems and contribute innovative solutions," he said, adding that he is committed to continuous learning.

Dr. Shafiqul Islam, professor and interim associate dean of the SMCS, and Dr. Alexander Alvarez, associate professor and financial mathematics and actuarial science program lead, congratulated Kunkoo on winning the scholarship.

"I want to congratulate you on this achievement!" said Alvarez, "It's fantastic that students who have graduated from our actuarial science program are getting recognition at a national level."

Nunkoo graduated from UPEI in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in actuarial science and statistics, and has completed three actuarial exams. With over three years of experience as a data and statistical analyst, he brings expertise to his studies and work. He is treasurer of the UPEI Actuarial Club and an ambassador for Coaching Actuaries. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, travelling, and exploring new cuisines.