Meet our high achieving international students
Here are the stories of two of our international students and their passion for research
Sayra Gorgani, electrical engineering student from Turkey
Sayra Gorgani, originally from Turkey, is passionate about research. She is involved in two projects as an undergraduate researcher in electrical engineering. This September she is entering her second year in the Faculty of Applied Science and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. This past summer, she took up a Work Study position with Dr. Ian Foulds in the Electromechanical Microsystems & Polymer Integration Research (EMPIRe) Group. She worked on how blood sample collection can be made more accurate and require smaller sample sizes by using microfluidic systems and image analysis. Her latest research opportunity begins this September with Dr. Jonathan Holzman. His research focuses on free space optics, replacing fibre optics with the use of lasers that could aid in long distance communication and potentially enhance deep space communication.
As a high school student in Turkey, Sayra wanted to pursue electrical engineering and set on a course that led her to Canada and to UBC Okanagan. She loves math and sees electrical engineering as an opportunity to apply math extensively. “In this field, there is a high potential to come up with innovative solutions and devices”, she says. The smaller class sizes and the opportunity to access research opportunities at UBC Okanagan played a big part in her decision to come here. During the coming year, she hopes to get more involved in research and get published. This, she says, will help to pursue graduate studies. Sayra was recognized recently for her high academic achievement, contributions to research and campus life through an International Community Achievement Award.
Ahmed Sabry, Applied Science student from Egypt
Ahmed Sabry, originally from Egypt, chose UBC for his Applied Science degree because, “it is the most international university in Canada”. The Okanagan campus was a place where he felt he could make a name for himself. “It was the right fit – not too big, not too small and with great academics and amazing research opportunities”, he says. Recognized early for his academic achievement, Ahmed received the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award. Now in his third year, he has been on the Dean’s Honour List for two years in a row and has won an International Community Achievement Award.
Ahmed says this past summer was the most eventful. He was hired to work on a research project in the field of computer graphics. Using electromagnetic simulations, he studied how light interacts with objects bringing together research in computer imaging and nanoscale structures. Being involved in a research project has sparked his interest to continue in his specialization and create new knowledge. This may lead him to graduate studies, but he wants to get some work experience first. This year, he is also making time for new creative interests. As part of the Enactus UBC Okanagan club, he is planning this year’s Inventathon, a business incubator competition where students pitch new business ideas to a panel of judges. He likes to get involved in projects where he can make a difference and create something new.
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