A Princess Margaret grad is trying to break down barriers that may prevent students from applying for post-secondary schools.
When Harjas Walia started his first semester at the University of British Columbia, he noticed that there were two other students from his graduation class. This struck him as odd, as out of 200 graduates, only a few got into UBC, while 20 students from a class of 35 from a private affluent school in Surrey got in.
Walia added that Princess Margaret is not a bad school, but students often do not receive the same level of support in preparing for post-secondary as students at more privileged schools do.
He recalled that when he was in his senior year, he was encouraged to go to post-secondary school but was not given any support on how to get there, such as where to find scholarships or how to apply.
"If you go to other more wealthy, private schools, there's a big difference in terms of help that people get, and if you compare it to a school like Princess Margaret, where it's just primarily first-generation Canadians that maybe don't have anyone that ever went to university, that they don't know who we look up to. They don't know how to get there."
That is where NextGen Canada was born—out of a desire to bridge that gap for students in schools like Princess Margaret and help them achieve their goals of attending post-secondary school.
"Since our founding (in 2023), NextGen Canada has been actively working to empower students in Surrey and beyond, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to access post-secondary education," Walia said. "Our goal is to make education a right, not a privilege, and ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential."
Over the past year, the non-profit has hosted workshops on various topics, including scholarships, university applications, and career development, partnered with professionals to provide mentorship and networking opportunities for students, and organized community events "focused on fostering leadership and accessibility in higher education."
Currently, more than 40 UBC students volunteer their time to help high school students. In the mentorship program, a high school student is paired with a university student in the program to which they hope to apply.
The mentors will be available to the students to answer any questions they may have about the application process, the program and offer personalized guidance and advice. The students also have an opportunity to have their application reviewed by their mentor before submitting it.
This is so important, Walia said, as it gives the high school students someone to look up to: someone who is where they want to be, and someone who can walk alongside them and encourage them along the way.
The non-profit is also partnering with Surrey School District to identify students who could benefit from its services.
Walia said NextGen is currently raising funds to provide scholarships for Surrey students who need financial support for post-secondary education.
Businesses looking to partner with NextGen Canada and become a sponsor can email @nxtgencanada@gmail.com or via this form NextGen Canada Sponsorship Form.
To learn more visit @nextgen.canada on Instagram.
