Faizan Mirza, a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering at The University of Akron (UA) who is from India, has been selected by the Ohio International Consortium to receive the Outstanding International Student Award for graduate students. The award includes a $1,500 scholarship. He is expected to graduate in May 2026, after which he will join 3M in Minnesota as a senior research engineer.

The award recognizes academic excellence, global engagement and leadership among international graduate students. Mirza was selected from a competitive pool of nominees representing all 13 public universities in Ohio.

“I feel truly honored and grateful to receive this recognition,” Mirza said. “It reflects the support and mentorship I have received from my advisor, peers and the university and motivates me to continue striving for excellence and giving back to the community.”

Nicola Kille, UA's executive director of international education administration, said she is proud to see Mirza recognized with this award.

“Faizan represents The University of Akron and our international student community with distinction,” Kille said. “His selection highlights the talent, dedication and global perspective our students bring to campus every day.”

Dr. K.T. Tan, professor of mechanical engineering and Mirza’s faculty advisor, said Mirza’s recognition is well deserved.

“He has demonstrated exceptional dedication and perseverance in his research and is a role model for many students in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science,” Tan said.

At UA, Mirza has been actively involved in research and student leadership. He is founder and president of the Meta Coffee Club and serves as treasurer for the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund. He previously served as vice president of the Muslim Student Association and is a professional member of the American Society for Composites and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Faizan Mirza and Dr. K.T. Tan pose for a photo as Mirza holds his LIFE Award recognizing doctoral student achievement.

He also recently received the Doctoral Scholar Award from the Department of Student Life as part of UA’s LIFE Awards. The honor recognizes doctoral students who demonstrate exemplary scholastic excellence, outstanding campus involvement, commitment to community service and advanced expertise in research, data analysis and scientific communication. Recipients must also maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA.

Mirza said his experience at The University of Akron has been highly positive and supported by strong mentorship, research opportunities and access to advanced facilities. Through the NSF Research Traineeship program, he developed interdisciplinary skills in data science and materials research.

“My time at The University of Akron has strengthened both my technical and research skills, particularly in applying machine learning to materials research, while building confidence through mentorship and collaboration within my research group,” Mirza said.