Scholarship Opportunities

The Student InterCouncil Awards celebrate exceptional students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, community service, and academic excellence. Recipients are recognized for their significant contributions to their school communities and for inspiring others through their commitment to integrity and collaboration.

Congratulations to the 2023 - 2024 Student InterCouncil Scholarship Winners!

Swati Mohapatra
Academic Achievement Award
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Panayiotis (Panos) Kontoyiannis
Toshi Nikaidoh Service Award
McGovern Medical School

Syed Hussain
Shohrae Hajibashi Memorial Leadership Award
School of Public Health

Each fiscal year, one award will be granted to three deserving students. Click on each award below to learn more.

• Student InterCouncil (SIC) Academic Achievement Award

  The SIC scholarship will be awarded to individuals who have stellar academics and academic achievements. Academics at UTHealth Houston not only include ones performance and participation in the classroom, but also ones activity in mentoring and teaching others as well as research and the drive to learn new things. The Scholarship Committee of the Student InterCouncil (SIC) will accept applications from eligible students from all schools of UTHealth Houston. Recipient(s) will be selected and will represent their school and this scholarship for one full academic year. The committee will support the academic goals of a student by providing a scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 for the academic year in which they are chosen.

• Shohrae Hajibashi Memorial Leadership Award

  Shohrae Hajibashi served on the Student InterCouncil from 2004 – 2011 in many roles, including President from 2007-2008. During her time at UTHealth Houston, Shohrae worked towards her MD/PhD and dedicated much of her free time to student leadership. As a charismatic leader, she brought together and led a diverse group of students both at UTHealth and at the UT System Student Advisory Council, making difficult; decisions and fighting for the students that she so passionately represented. Her spirit, sunny outlook, and leadership brightened the campus and her laughter was infectious as she touched the lives of so many UTHealth Houston students, faculty, and staff. The Student InterCouncil honors Shohrae’s legacy with the Shohrae Hajibashi Memorial Leadership Award, which will be given each year to a UTHealth Houston student involved in student leadership who demonstrates the passion, selflessness, compassion, and leadership capabilities Shohrae embodied during her time at UTHealth Houston. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 will be awarded in the academic year in which the recipient is selected.

• Toshi Nikaidoh Service Award

  Hitoshi Christopher Nikaidoh, MD served as Student InterCouncil President from 2000-2001. As a medical student, Toshi embodied leadership and service, both within the University of Texas institution as well as the Houston community. He strived to bring better healthcare to the poor and disadvantaged, and a kindness for all humankind. As a 2003 graduate of The University of Texas Medical School Toshi was chosen by his classmates as the sole recipient of the Gold-Headed Cane Award for Humanism and Service. The Student InterCouncil honors his memory by awarding an individual who demonstrates the qualities, passion, drive, selflessness and love for humanity with the Toshi Nikaidoh Service Award. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 will be awarded in the academic year in which the recipient is selected.