Dr. Aditya Jha Creates Path for Young Entrepreneurs

Dr. Aditya Jha is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and social activist. He is also the generous supporter of the new Aditya Jha/POA Educational Foundation Student Entrepreneur Grant. Established in 2016, and matched by the university and the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship, the grant program will propel innovation through the development of new enterprises and will, over the next ten years, help pave the road to success for a cohort of thirty promising young entrepreneurs.

Jha’s relationship with Ryerson spans more than a decade and is a tale of passion, generosity and visionary leadership. Growing up in a village in Nepal and aspiring to something greater, he gravitated towards institutions that—like him—were working hard to reach new heights. He was also committed to supporting opportunities for new Canadians. “All that you have to do is look around at the mix of students to see there is a large contingent of first generation Canadians on campus,” explains Jha. “That is how I knew Ryerson was the right fit for me.”

Jha, who is founder and chair of the POA Educational Foundation, has done much to help build up Ryerson and its students over the years. The awards he established across the university to support entrepreneurship, community development, media production and computer engineering have benefited, and will continue to benefit, a number of students. As a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Faculty of Community Services and the Ted Rogers School of Management’s campaign cabinet, he has provided years of insight and leadership to Ryerson. He has also supported important research on the economic value of the Indo-Canadian diaspora at Ryerson, and partnered with Ryerson to create Project Beyshick—a business skills training and mentorship program aimed at nurturing First Nations young entrepreneurs, and providing them with the tools they need to become equal partners in the economic prosperity of Canada.

“I’ve had a very personal and sincere relationship with Ryerson since the beginning,” says Jha. “Ryerson has also been very generous with me. One of my passions is working on projects towards the betterment of the First Nations community, and for five years Ryerson sincerely and seriously partnered with me on one of those projects. Seeing that kind of support from an academic institution was fantastic.”

For this deep commitment to philanthropy, Jha received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Ryerson in 2009 —the highest honour bestowed by the university.

Now, the Aditya Jha/POA Educational Foundation Student Entrepreneur Grant will continue his legacy of support for young entrepreneurs at Ryerson. The grant program will annually provide three students with $6,000 each to assist them in pursuing full-time their innovative business idea in a Ryerson Zone upon graduation.

“Today, Ryerson is doing something unique," adds Jha. "It’s something that I deeply believe in and want to support. I want to help Ryerson continue this trajectory of 'entrepreneurial uplift.'

This means putting its energy in the direction of nurturing entrepreneurial initiatives, and encouraging students to think and act in an entrepreneurial way while working in established organizations. Looking at things from multiple angles produces innovation. Having entrepreneurial people within your company is good for the survival and existence of any venture.”

Jha has been a true friend to Ryerson University, and his generous support of scholarships, awards and research over the years has helped scores of students achieve their dreams and goals.