Engineers Canada reposted this
From November 22-25, I had the honour of representing over 5,000 Metropolitan engineering students in front of 53 CFES member societies at CDE 2024 at Western University. As a first-generation immigrant, this conference became more than just a learning experience, it was a powerful reminder of why I’m so passionate about creating an engineering field where everyone, regardless of their background, can be seen, heard, and valued. CDE 2024 was a transformative experience for me. It allowed me to rethink what engineering really means and how I, as a young engineer, can actively contribute to an industry that’s more inclusive, empathetic, and accessible. From uncovering biases in the data we work with to learning how we can design for accessibility, each session inspired me to think critically about how engineering can make a real difference in our communities. I was particularly inspired by the leaderships of The Hon. Omar Alghabra, Philip Rizcallah, P. Eng, and Jeanette Southwood, P.Eng., FCAE, FEC, LL.D.(honoris causa), whose lessons on integrity, courage, and equity reaffirmed my belief that engineers must lead with empathy and evolve with society’s changing needs. Their words reminded me that as engineers, we don’t just solve problems, we have the power to drive meaningful change. I am grateful to Sara H. Tamrin and Cassie P. for their inspiring contributions to embedding EDI values in research design and advocating for equity and accessibility. Finally, a special thank you to my fellow delegates for your shared experiences, and to Rayyan Faisal and the Metropolitan Undergraduate Engineering Society for selecting me for this incredible experience. I hold immense respect for the efforts of the OC, CFES | FCEG, and the Faculty of Engineering at Western University for making this event possible, your hard work was truly evident. To all the speakers and panellists, thank you for your invaluable contributions. I’m excited to carry these lessons forward as I continue to advocate for greater equity and inclusion in engineering.