OTTAWA – Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teen who became a champion of girls’ education after she survived being shot point-blank by the Taliban, has lent her name to a lucrative new Canadian university scholarship.

Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is partnering with University of King’s College, Halifax, on a scholarship that will allow two female students from developing countries to study at the university.

The scholarships will fully fund four years of study for two young women and is valued at $240,000.

Yousafzai is studying in Britain and was unable to attend the university’s graduation ceremony, but told those gathered in a video message that she was happy and excited by the initiative.

The 16-year-old girl also received an honorary doctorate of civil law from the university, sharing a stage with three other honorary degree recipients that included Governor General David Johnston.

Last year, Yousafzai became only the sixth international figure to receive honorary Canadian citizenship, joining Nelson Mandela, Raoul Wallenberg, the Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi and the Aga Khan.