UNB business student wins $45,000 Frank H. Sobey Award

A third-year business student at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) is one of this year's winners of the Frank H. Sobey Awards For Excellence in Business Studies.

Muhammad Jahanzaib, enrolled in the bachelor of business administration program with majors in accounting and finance, is one of eight winners at Atlantic Canadian universities, each of whom will receive $45,000. They were chosen from 32 nominations submitted by their respective deans, based on entrepreneurship, community involvement and employment experience.

Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, he is the first in his family to leave his homeland and the first to attend university. Applying to schools across Canada, he was impressed by the UNB graduates he met and was attracted by the beauty of the Maritimes.

"Coming from Karachi, I prefer a city without too much hustle and bustle," said Muhammad. "You have space to breathe here. It's beautiful and summer in Fredericton is heaven."

The award will allow him to focus on a startup to help teach financial literacy to newcomers to Canada.

He plans to stay in Atlantic Canada.

"I would like to help entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada - especially under-represented women or minorities - raise venture capital and set them up for success."

The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies began in 1989 to support the development of future business leaders and business programs in Atlantic Canadian universities.