By Safa Jinje & Tyler Irving
With U of T Engineering’s convocation ceremonies on June 20, 2023, our students mark the end of one journey and the beginning of another.
Story by Safa Jinje & Tyler Irving
Having enriched the U of T Engineering community as undergraduate and graduate students, they will join our vibrant, global network of Skule™ alumni, where they will continue to address pressing challenges around the world and inspire the next generation.
This year’s 15 Grads to Watch — selected by their home departments and institutes — embody the spirit of U of T Engineering. Their stories illustrate the creativity, innovation and global impact that define our community. Watch their next steps!
ENHANCING ENGINEERING CULTURE
Saskia van Beers (EngSci 2T2 + PEY)
Being a part of the U of T Engineering undergraduate community has been a transformative experience for van Beers. While her engineering classes taught her how to learn and think critically about the world around her, she was able to put those concepts into practice in her extracurricular activities.
“My worldview shifted greatly through all the initiatives I got to be a part of,” she says. “I definitely feel like I have undergone a lot of personal growth.”
From her role as co-president of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) to co-chairing both the Engineering Science Club and the Sexual Violence Education and Prevention group, van Beers has worked tirelessly with her fellow student leaders to improve the engineering culture within the University to help make all students feel welcome and seen.
Along with her classmate Savanna Blade (EngSci 2T2 + PEY), she ran a virtual consent culture town hall that brought together more than 80 of her fellow EngSci students to discuss all aspects of consent and the kinds of change they would like to see within their community.
“Since then, I have been hard at work with other student advocates to make sure that progress is made on those initiatives,” she says.
“It means a lot to be able to have contributed to the safety and positivity of the University.”
After graduation, van Beers plans to pursue the Collaborative Specialization in Engineering Education program at the master’s level at U of T, with research focused on the intersectionality between equity advocacy work and the fundamentals of engineering education.
“I have been a long-standing believer that diversity within the engineering field allows for better engineering progress,” she says. “I would like to continue to make a positive impact on the changing culture of engineering.”
“I would like to thank the EWB community for providing me with such a safe and empowering place to grow and for trusting my leadership. I also would not be where I am today without the constant support of all my closest friends. Specifically, I want to thank Samantha Unger (EngSci 2T2 + PEY) for being an incredible person to lead teams with, and for teaching me so much about relational leadership and the importance of intention when trying to make an impact.”
BUILDING CARING COMMUNITIES
Yazan Zamel (EngSci 2T2 + PEY)
When Zamel arrived at U of T from United Arab Emirates — flying more than 14,000 km away from home for the first time as an adult — he felt a sense of culture shock. But through perseverance and resilience, he found a way to carve his own path.
“Everyone at U of T is really supportive,” he says. “This place has provided a motivational spark that encourages me to create a difference in my community.”
In June 2020, he founded Ray of Hope to provide equitable education and career opportunities for refugees. The initiative received a 2022 Diana Award, which recognizes the international contributions of young people who create positive change. Zamel also launched Ambassadors of Tolerance, a program that aims to create bullying-free communities in schools by promoting principles of empathy, equity and compassion.
He also served as the president of Sustainable Engineers Association and was selected as Engineers Canada Leadership Scholar in 2021.
Zamel will begin his MASc at U of T’s Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering this fall, under the supervision of Professor Marianne Touchie.
“I got the chance to learn about Professor Touchie’s research through CIV575: Studies in Building Science, a graduate course that I took in third year,” he says.
“I hope I can do research to monitor and measure indoor air quality. I aspire to determine the impacts of air quality on the mental and physical health of residents, especially elderly and the marginalized communities.”
Zamel is especially looking forward to supporting CivMin undergraduate students as a teaching assistant (TA).
“I have been a TA in the Department of Mathematics since fall 2020,” he says. “I believe TAs have a great impact on students, and I hope I can be a positive influence to help improve the engineering experience despite how challenging it can be sometimes.”
In the long term, Zamel hopes to engage more youth in energy education and increase clean energy access to marginalized communities across Canada.
“I would like to thank all the professors, staff, and classmates who supported and motivated me to grow during my time at U of T. I would also like to appreciate the Sustainable Engineers Association community, as it holds a special place in my heart since I first joined in 2019. And I want to especially thank my mother and my sister for always believing in me and trusting my abilities. My mother has been and will always remain my role model in life. Watching my mom’s dedication inspires me to work hard and encourages me to leave a positive footprint behind.”
Read about all U of T Engineering Grads to Watch in the U of T Engineering News.