How U of T Mississauga’s valedictorian turned a bumpy start into a bold finish

When Salik Qureshi arrived from Nairobi, Kenya to study at the University of Toronto Mississauga in 2021, he had a lot to learn – and many challenges to overcome.

Far away from his mother, siblings and aunts – his father died in 2019 – Qureshi struggled to adapt as he began university life under the shadow of the pandemic, while navigating a new and unfamiliar academic landscape.

“I had to ask, ‘What’s a GPA?,’” the economics and political science double major recalls, laughing. “I had no idea.”

But in the years that followed, Qureshi went from feeling lost to finding belonging, excelling and even guiding others along their undergraduate journey. Now, the once-overwhelmed first-year is graduating as valedictorian of U of T Mississauga’s Class of 2025.

His biggest takeaway: the more you give to the community, the more you get in return. “I am so fortunate and honoured to be able to serve this campus,” he says, “because through that I have met so many people who have inspired me to be my best self.”

Early on, Qureshi says he questioned whether he could keep going. “I remember calling my family during the pandemic and saying, ‘I want to leave – it’s not what I expected.’”

But he drew strength from the lessons imparted by his late father: to be curious, compassionate and courageous.

Rather than withdraw, Qureshi leaned into connection. “We entered university not through lecture halls or orientation events, but through laptop screens,” he says. “Somehow, despite the distance and uncertainty, we found a connection.”

A serendipitous reunion with two high school friends at U of T Mississauga helped Qureshi embrace campus life, while his professors helped him turn his grades around and urged him to become “a voice for change.”

He became more involved in the campus community, taking on roles at the International Education Centre, Student Housing and Residence Life and the Centre for Student Engagement. Working part-time at Wendy’s and Simons to help pay the bills, he received a crash course in people skills that he’s carried far beyond the counter.

Becoming a teaching assistant in economics in his third year, Qureshi went on to land internships with the Royal Bank of Canada and NATO Association of Canada.

He’s now wrapping up a research project with the Jackman Humanities Institute’s Scholars-in-Residence program, and weighing up whether to pursue further education or enter the professional world.

Ultimately, he hopes to pair his economics background with social and environmental responsibility to drive meaningful change both in Canada and in Kenya. “I want to bring a voice of strength and unity that is missing right now in the global political sphere.”

Qureshi’s achievements at U of T have been recognized with a host of honours including the International Scholar Award, U of T Student Leadership Award and UTM Student Recognition Award of Achievement.

But for all his successes, his message to incoming students is to learn from the setbacks. “Those moments of struggle you thought you could not get over – just go through it and you’ll see there is an abundance of light at the end of the tunnel.”

He’s confident that U of T Mississauga’s Class of 2025 isn’t just ready to step into the future, but to lead the way for change.

“Education is a profound privilege, and the world-class education we have received at UTM is no exception,” says Qureshi. “It calls on us to do more than simply absorb knowledge. It calls on us to apply it. To transform it into action.”

Qureshi hopes his valedictory address will both inspire optimism and reflect his gratitude.

“As an international student from Kenya, I never imagined that a place almost 12,000 kilometres away could feel just as warm and loving as the home I left behind,” says Qureshi.

“I think the ‘M’ in UTM stands for magic.”