On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down minutes after taking off from Tehran, Iran, by two Iranian surface-to-air missiles. Fifty-five Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, including more than 20 children, were among the 176 people who were killed.

Many of the victims were students and scholars who had made significant contributions to Canadian educational institutions.

To honour their legacies, Global Affairs Canada established the Flight PS752 Commemorative Scholarship Program, which comprises 176 scholarships for international and Canadian students studying in colleges and universities in Canada. So far, 68 students have benefited from the scholarship, including Holland College Business Administration student Busayo Adegunloye, who was awarded $29,000.

The event deeply affected Busayo. In the letter of motivation he wrote to accompany his application, he wrote, “Serving my country in Nigeria at the time, I was shocked to learn that among the 176 victims were 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, many of whom were students and professionals making significant contributions to their fields. The tragedy was a stark reminder of the fragility of international security and its profound impact on families and communities worldwide.

“…I closely followed the investigations and the tireless efforts of the victims' families to seek justice and accountability. Their resilience and determination inspired me to honor their legacies in my academic and professional pursuits. The Flight PS752 Commemorative Scholarship is more than financial assistance to me; it is a commitment to continue the work of those brilliant minds lost in the tragedy.”

Students are eligible to apply for a scholarship if their field of study aligns with the victims’ academic and professional backgrounds or focuses on air disaster prevention. Applicants must also explain how they will use the scholarship to contribute to awareness among Canadians of the victims of PS752 and to remember and honour their legacies.

In his application letter, Busayo wrote, “Receiving the Flight PS752 Commemorative Scholarship … would allow me to contribute to the victims' legacy by raising awareness, advocating for safety, and working towards a future where such tragedies are prevented. Their stories will continue to inspire me, reminding me of the importance of resilience, justice, and the collective effort to make the world a safer place.”

After graduating from his program, Busayo hopes to contribute meaningfully to the business community by leveraging his knowledge in business administration to promote ethical governance, crisis management, and international security. He also aims to raise awareness about the victims of Flight PS752 and advocate for stronger safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For more information about the victims of who died on Flight PS752 visit:

https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/01/government-of-canada-honours-victims-of-flight-ps752-and-marks-five-years-since-tragedy.html

https://www.ps752justice.com/victims/