BME Graduate Among The Finalists Of The McCall MacBain Scholarships

Victoria Naburuk, a 2025 BSc graduate of BME, will soon journey to Montreal, Canada, as a global finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University. She is the first finalist from a Hungarian university.

McGill is ranked the #1 university in Canada and 27th best in the world by QS World University Rankings 2026. 

It tops such rivals as King's College of the UK, Columbia and the UCLA of the US, or Fudan of China.

Established with a landmark C$200-million gift in 2019 by businessman John McCall MacBain, the scholarships are Canada’s largest for master’s and professional studies. No more than 30 people may get it each year. It includes full tuition coverage at McGill University, a C$2,300 monthly living stipend during academic terms, summer funding options, and a relocation grant.

Scholars are paired with mentors and coaches, participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program, and have access to the McCall MacBain House on campus. Applicants are endorsed by their universities of origin and assessed by volunteer leaders based on evidence of character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

Applicants came from more than 2,300 universities worldwide, and 280 advanced to a first round of interviews in October and November. The top 38 international candidates will attend the final round of interviews in Montreal, joined by 53 Canadian finalists. Travel and accommodation costs are covered for the final interviews. International finalists not selected for the cohort will be eligible to receive C$20,000 towards their studies at McGill.

“We aim to support emerging leaders who demonstrate integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage,” said Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, Chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill.

“These students have already shown remarkable promise in their communities, and we’re grateful to the universities that encouraged and supported them in pursuing this opportunity.”

Originally from Kenya, Victoria Naburuk studied Civil Engineering at BME as a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder. During her studies, she mentored incoming international students and supported their integration into life in Hungary. She was named Mentor of the Year in 2023.

Victoria also organized a soccer team, led youth sustainability initiatives with YES Europe, and worked part-time throughout her degree. She volunteered with Impact Hub Budapest, helping organize activities for social entrepreneurs, and recently returned to her hometown, where she is assisting with building construction.

Victoria and her team

“Getting selected as a McCall MacBain Scholarship finalist is deeply affirming," said Victoria. "The program reflects values I care about: leading others with humility, continuous growth, and the boldness to take meaningful risks. It is an encouragement to continue trusting my journey and advocating for the communities that have supported me.” Victoria aims to continue her studies in civil engineering at McGill. "During my graduate studies, I aspire to deepen my research in sustainable construction by exploring innovative structural solutions that minimize waste."

While in Canada, Victoria will interview with leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector. “We are also deeply thankful to the more than 300 leaders in their fields who lend their time to help us select these exceptional students and graduates,” added Natasha Sawh, CEO of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “The interviews provide candidates with a space for meaningful reflection, and we hope they leave with a stronger sense of their leadership potential and the impact they can have in strengthening communities.”

Applications will open in June 2026 for the 2027 cohort. More information about the McCall MacBain Scholarships can be found here.

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