Ahmed Sherwali
Oil sands extraction using electromagnetic induction
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
After working in the industry for a few years, I saw graduate school as an opportunity to expand my knowledge, broaden my career options, and explore a new experience.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I decided to study at UBC for three reasons. First the location, Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world to live in and the best in North America. Second reason is the high and consistent ranking of UBC both nationally and internationally. And finally, the exceptionally beautiful and family-friendly campus.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
The fact that I can perform research in direct collaboration with industry, and the alignment of my research interests with those of my supervisor were very attractive.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The multicultural aspect of life at UBC and in Vancouver was one of the best surprises, it is very easy to develop a strong sense of belonging.
Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world to live in and the best in North America. After working in the industry for a few years, I saw graduate school as an opportunity to expand my knowledge, broaden my career options, and explore a new experience.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
I think the traveling I have done before coming to UBC and the work experience has given me the ability to adapt to new environments and be open to learning. Experiencing different places and working with people coming from a variety of backgrounds, taught me how to respect differences and capture similarities between people, cultures, and ways of living. I also gained the courage to learn how to have the humility to acknowledge my limitations, work with others to understand and learn, and have the confidence to navigate unfamiliar subjects. All of which are very useful when pursuing a graduate program in a multicultural environment.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
My advice for new graduate students is to set clear goals by understanding what you want to achieve and why, make sure you don't forget to grow your network through involvement in different activities, and lastly, try to keep your career options open because you'll always discover new opportunities.
