Sughra Ashori received a Bank of Canada scholarship designed to encourage Canadians from diverse backgrounds to further their education in fields related to the Bank's work. (Courtesy of Sughra Ashori/University of Windsor)
By Sara Elliott
Sughra Ashori’s commitment to human rights, education and political and economic freedoms led her to the University of Windsor.
She arrived in Canada in 2023 after her family fled Afghanistan.
A year later, she enrolled at UWindsor, where she is now a third-year undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and Political Science.
“For me, as a Hazara girl growing up in Afghanistan, education it is not just a pathway to a career; it is a form of empowerment that my community has been denied for generations,” says Ashori.
“Every opportunity I have now, from attending university and studying something I am passionate about, to contributing to research as research assistant, to taking on leadership roles within and beyond campus, is something I value deeply because I know what it means to live without these freedoms.”
This year, Ashori received a Bank of Canada scholarship designed to encourage Canadians from diverse backgrounds to further their education in fields related to the Bank's work.
She was one of 12 students selected for the award in recognition of her exceptional accomplishments.
“Receiving this scholarship is an honour because it affirms the value of the work I have pursued both inside and outside the classroom. It serves as a reminder that diverse perspectives belong in conversations that shape economic and public policy,” says Ashori.
“The award motivates me to continue developing as a scholar, advocate, and future professional in spaces where law and economics intersect.”
Adding economics to her studies broadened her understanding of the legal and political questions that first drew her to university.
“I expected to follow a straightforward Law & Politics route as I’ve always been drawn to questions about fairness, systems, and how institutions shape people’s lives, but my introductory economics courses completely reshaped how I understood the world,” she says.
“They pushed me to think beyond headlines and examine the economic forces that influence policy, institutions, and people’s everyday lives.”
Alongside her studies, Ashori serves as president of the Economics Students’ Association, where she helps plan academic, professional and community-building events.
Through the Outstanding Scholars program, Ashori has gained research experience across multiple disciplines. This semester, she is working with Dr. Steven Chen on a project examining the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative on energy development and sustainability in Southeast Asia.
She previously worked with philosophy professor Dr. Christopher Tindale on Rhetorical Argumentation and Extremism, where she reviewed the manuscript for readability, consistency, and errors before publication. In the book's acknowledgements, Tindale credits Ashori for her contribution.
Beyond the classroom, Ashori has been volunteering with Greater Action for more than four years, a Malaysia-based social enterprise that supports Afghan refugee women. She also serves as a volunteer teaching assistant in the primary grades at Al-Sadeq Academy and tutors through the United Way’s On Track to Success program.
Ashori hopes to pursue a career in competition and regulatory law, drawing on her interests in economics, public policy, and legal analysis.
She has already gained legal experience through a three-month internship at the Law Office of Linda McCurdy.
“For me, becoming a lawyer is not just about entering a profession,” says Ashori.
“It is about turning opportunities that were once out of reach into a way of advocating for fairness, accountability, and opportunity for others.”