WHAT'S HAPPENING AT UNB
ALUMNI NEWS MAGAZINE | Fall 2023
A group of MBA UNB students has developed a concept for an app that could help Port Saint John reduce the carbon emissions of the businesses that operate on port land and use its facilities. The group, which includes Shanshan Zhang, Rahul Murakkat Purushothaman, Bhanu Vamsi Lekkala, John Taiwo Omotayo and Firdavs Nabiev, brought their realworld experiences to the project.
Read more at blogs.unb.ca/newsroom/2023/07/reduce-carbon-emissions-app.php
That’s the motto of the Sir Howard Douglas Society. Each year, UNB inducts students as Sir Howard Douglas Scholars in recognition of their outstanding involvement, not only at UNB but also in their local and international communities.
The eight inductees for 2023 are: Hirbod Abootalebi from Fredericton, N.B.; Sheridan Hamilton from Fredericton, N.B.; Rose He from Fredericton, N.B.; Molly Kennedy from Ottawa, Ont.; Kate Palmer from Rothesay, N.B.; Bhaanvi Rai from Mangalore, India; Dustin McKee from Willow Grove, N.B.; and Lauren McGrath from Saint John, N.B.
Learn more about the scholars at unb.ca/president/shd/2023.html
Two students have put their heart into creating a new initiative that focuses on educating students on Indigenous rights, history and ways of life.
During the 2022 – 23 academic year, Shilin Pentz and Arnab Mehfuz Taranga were team leads for their work-study placements at Heart to Heart, a program which bridges the gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous students.
Modelled after a program at the University of Saskatchewan called Building Bridges, Heart to Heart was created through a partnership between the Mi'kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre (MWC) MBA students design app to help Port Saint John reduce carbon emissions and the International Student Advisor's Office at UNB.
After struggling to find a work-study job as a first-year bachelor of fine arts student in September 2022, Shilin spoke with Kate Copage from the MWC, who shared her plan to create a program called Heart to Heart.
“I was thrilled to be a part of this project as a member of the Indigenous community,” said Shilin. “It's something I'm passionate about. It feels good to educate others about the issues while sharing my knowledge.”
Read more at blogs.unb.ca/newsroom/2023/04/safe-spaces.php
When Rose Grant began at UNB, she knew she wanted to study political science, but she never imagined she would be a voice for others on Parliament Hill, creating policies and advocating for student issues at the national level.
Rose always wanted to make an impact. However, she didn't fully realize her path until she took a politics of globalization course in her first year. Now, as a double honours student in political science and history on UNB's Fredericton campus, she dreams of working in academia in the future, and she's building the skills to achieve this goal.
“Whenever people asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I always said I wanted to go into political science but thought I would eventually change my mind. But when I took my first course at UNB, I thought, I’m going to start doing this! My first year really confirmed that this was what I wanted to do with my life.”
Last year, the UNB Student Union (SU) hired Rose to serve as its vicepresident of research and policy. She had not previously taken part in student leadership and advocacy but viewed this work as a valuable learning experience. She has found that the experience exceeded her expectations.
“I was particularly interested in the politics of climate change and I saw this job as a way to get involved with policy. I wanted to be part of the solution.”
Through this position, Rose engages with policymakers on provincial and national levels on various issues. As part of her duties, she organizes events, such as Members of Legislative Assembly Mondays and Members of Parliament Tuesdays, where students speak directly with government officials about their concerns. Recently, the SU presented her with an Initiative of the Year award for her work organizing the UNBSU advocacy week held in November 2022.
This year, Rose began her fourth year of studies and continues to serve as the VP of research and policy for a second term. In the future, she intends to pursue a PhD, focusing on colonization and climate policy, and eventually teach.
Rose is a New Brunswicker of tomorrow. She wants to make a difference in her community by educating others and driving positive change.
Read more at blogs.unb.ca/newsroom/2023/04/rose-grant.php
Valued at $65,000 each, the Currie Undergraduate Scholarships recognize high school students for their leadership skills, community involvement, academic success, and obstacles overcome.
The Currie scholarships were established in 2004 by Canadian business leader and philanthropist, UNB Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Richard J. Currie (LLD'87), who was a Beaverbrook scholar as a young man.
Learn more about the 2023 – 24 Currie Scholars at unb.ca/giving/impact/scholarships/currie/index.html
What's happening at UNB
Round-up of news stories from around our campuses.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT UNB
Memorial Hall, named in memory of UNB graduates and students who fought and died during the First World War, opened in 1924.
What's happening at UNB
H. Wade MacLauchlan (LLB’81), CM, OPEI was officially installed in October.
