Never give up: How Azaan Azher is leading and inspiring others

Before starting the DeGroote MBA Co-op program, Azaan Azher was already giving back as a student mentor in the Peel District School Board. There, he helped organize panels with other hard-of-hearing individuals, some of which were university students, some working and others recently out of high school. These panels gave younger students a chance to learn about real experiences with accommodation, school and life beyond the classroom. For Azher, the role was just as valuable: it opened the door to leadership opportunities and allowed him to share his own experiences.

Azher’s story began early. Born deaf, he received a cochlear implant as a child after his family moved to Canada when he was a baby. Since then, he has relied on tools like an FM system (an assistive device to help reduce background noises) in class to stay connected. At first, asking professors and classmates to face him when speaking felt repetitive and even uncomfortable. But over time, it gave him the confidence to advocate for himself and taught him the value of patience, resilience and clear communication.

Those lessons have carried forward into his studies today. Now a first-year MBA Co-op student at the DeGroote School of Business, Azher is building on his undergraduate degree in global management studies and his professional experience in business analysis and supply chain. He chose DeGroote because of its balance of academic rigour and hands-on learning, as well as the chance to grow as both a problem-solver and a leader.

“I enjoy problem solving, working with data, but I feel that I wanted to go as a leader and explore a career path where I can combine both my technical skills as well as my management,” he says.

This year, his hard work was recognized with the Canadian Hearing Services National Scholarship, which for him is an award that is about much more than financial support.

“This essentially taught me that hard work and dedication really pay off in the long-term. It’s a recognition of the challenges that I have overcome as someone who is hard of hearing, and it motivates me to keep pushing forward,” he says.

The scholarship has given him the freedom to focus more fully on his MBA experience: connecting with classmates, challenging himself in presentations and exploring career paths in corporate finance, operations and strategy.

“Most importantly, it makes me feel supported and proud to represent students with disabilities, not only at McMaster University but also at other schools,” he says.

Looking ahead, Azher hopes to pursue a career in corporate finance or operations, combining his problem-solving skills with the leadership qualities he continues to develop at DeGroote. With the support of the scholarship and his perseverance, he is determined not only to advance professionally but also to inspire and mentor others who face similar challenges.

“Success comes when you use the right tools, seek the right support and never give up,” Azher says, which is a message he embodies in both his studies and his advocacy.