“If I don’t say yes to opportunities, how will I know if I’ll enjoy them?”

Sept 24th, 
By Adrian Dobre

Sahil’s future changed with a single email. The incoming engineering student has been awarded the prestigious Peter Koehler Scholarship, worth $10,000 annually and renewable for five years for a total of $50,000—a life-changing award that removes the financial barriers he feared would stand in the way of his university education.

“I was really worried about funding my tuition,” he says. “I thought I’d be in debt for a long time. Now that financial burden has been lifted, I can focus on my studies and get involved in university life.”

Instead of worrying about tuition, Sahil is looking forward to joining engineering design teams, volunteering, and exploring opportunities that will help him grow both academically and personally.

His passion for engineering developed gradually. As a middle school student, he wasn’t sure what direction to take, but his love of mathematics soon expanded to physics and chemistry. When he began exploring engineering, he discovered a field filled with endless possibilities.

“I realized engineering lets you apply those subjects to solve real problems,” he says. “You can improve water filtration, build things, work with electrical systems, or design new technologies. There are so many different paths.”

As he begins his engineering journey, Sahil is keeping an open mind about which discipline he will pursue. Whether it’s computer, electrical, or mechanical engineering, he hopes to combine his interests—including a passion for acting—to one day develop technologies that enhance the entertainment industry and inspire others to pursue careers in engineering.

A lifelong Newfoundlander, Sahil was born in Bonavista before moving to St. John’s in 2020. Although leaving his hometown and starting over was challenging, he credits the support of new friends, his family, and his willingness to embrace new experiences for helping him succeed.

An improv performer, Sahil lives by a simple philosophy: always say yes.

“If I don’t say yes to opportunities, how will I know if I’ll enjoy them?” he says. “I want to keep trying new things and discover where engineering can take me.”

Behind his success is the unwavering support of his mother, who has raised Sahil and his two sisters as a single parent following her divorce while working in retail.

“My mom has been the provider for our whole family,” he says. “She’s worked incredibly hard to support us, and she’s always encouraged me to keep applying for opportunities and never give up. I’m proud to call her my mother because she’s helped me become the person I am today.”

With the Peter Koehler Scholarship providing financial security, Sahil is excited to focus on what matters most: learning, giving back to his university community, and building a future where engineering can make a meaningful difference.