Mauritian Pamela Pakium Honored in Ottawa

Pamela Pakium, a Mauritian, was celebrated internationally on International Women's Day. She received the Leading Ladies Legacy Award 2025 at a prestigious gala held at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, on December 7.

The event gathered participants from over 40 countries and honored women whose leadership transforms communities and inspires change. Under the theme "Engaged Voices, Inspiring Change," this edition highlighted the journeys of women whose influence transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.

Pamela was recognized for her lasting commitment to education and youth empowerment, as well as her work in social impact innovation and community support, both in Canada and Mauritius. The award was presented by Member of Parliament Bruce Fanjoy, in the presence of elected representatives, community leaders, and international delegates.

Among her key initiatives, Pamela founded the first Mauritian scholarship at the University of Ottawa, created in 2021. Since then, several Mauritian students have been able to pursue higher education through this program. For the 2026 cohort, more than 30 applications have already been received, and Pamela recently attended the graduation ceremony of one of the beneficiaries, a symbolic moment of her commitment.

Having lived in Ottawa for several years, Pamela has over ten years of experience in access to education, international education, social impact innovation, and community engagement. Deeply connected to the Mauritian diaspora and sustainable development, she continues to strengthen ties between Mauritius, Canada, and the rest of the world.

"My journey taught me that you don't need to come from a privileged background to make an impact; resilience, courage, and determination make all the difference," she confides.

Today, Pamela Pakium continues her projects with the same energy and vision: to make education, innovation, and social engagement concrete levers for transforming lives and inspiring the next generation.