The Indigenous Digital Innovation Scholarship recognizes the academic achievement and potential of a full-time graduate student enrolled in the Master of Digital Media program who is Canadian and Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit). Preference may be given to applicants who demonstrate a passion for digital media and potential for leadership within the creative or technical sectors.
Students can either apply for this award, or be nominated by faculty, staff or students of the Centre for Digital Media community. Eligible students must demonstrate overall excellence in their academic and creative work and be in good academic standing in the Master of Digital Media Program.
Centre for Digital Media thanks Dr. Rock Leung for his generous contribution to support greater equity for Indigenous graduate students in Canada and to help them benefit from CDM's Master of Digital Media program and thrive professionally.
Terms of Reference
A scholarship valued at $10,000 is available annually in any term to a student who fulfills the following criteria:
- Admitted into the Master of Digital Media program and in good academic standing.
- Is a Canadian and Indigenous student (First Nations, Métis, Inuit).
- Has demonstrated academic excellence and/or professional achievement at the undergraduate level and/or graduate level.
- Has actively participated in and supported their Indigenous community through volunteering, leadership, or cultural engagement.
This award may be held in conjunction with other awards made by Simon Fraser University or other agencies where permitted by those agencies.
If a suitable candidate is not identified, the scholarship may be disbursed in a subsequent term or year.
Documentation Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documentation in order to be considered:
- A copy of the official transcript of the most recent degree program completed.
- One letter of reference from a community member or supervisor who can verify the applicant's community involvement or volunteering service.
- An up-to-date resume or CV.
Please note:
- Only applicants admitted into the Master of Digital Media program should apply for this scholarship. If you are granted an offer of admission you may connect with the Admissions Department to apply for the scholarship.
About the Donor
Dr. Rock Leung is a Staff UX Researcher and team lead in Samsung's global Knox B2B product organization. He leads a team that drives research initiatives informing the design of enterprise mobility solutions used by over 35,000 organizations on more than 150 million devices worldwide. He collaborates closely with stakeholders to plan and conduct research that shapes product strategy and explores new product concepts. His contributions have been recognized with multiple awards for excellence at Samsung.
Based in Vancouver, Rock maintains close ties to local academic communities focused on HCI and design, including those at UBC, SFU, and Emily Carr. He has been an active organizer in several UX communities, such as the VanUE meetup and the Radical Research Summit. At the Centre for Digital Media, Rock serves as an Assistant Professor (Practitioner Faculty) in the Master of Digital Media program, where he supervises a project team and provides industry mentorship to students.
With over a decade of experience, he has supervised nearly 20 co-op students and more than 20 graduate research projects. He consistently prioritizes student growth—both in academia and industry—by creating structured opportunities for professional development, feedback, and reflection. In recognition of his dedication, he received an Outstanding Co-op Supervisor Award from UBC's Sauder School of Business.
Rock created this scholarship to support greater equity for Indigenous graduate students in Canada to benefit from CDM's Master of Digital Media program and thrive professionally.