Vancouver Campus Celebrates Its 25th Commencement Ceremony

On October 4, family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia to celebrate New York Tech-Vancouver’s Class of 2025.

More than 300 students attended the ceremony. Executive Director and Campus Dean Irene Young, Ed.D., welcomed the guests and graduates.

In her remarks, Young reflected on the new alumni’s journey at New York Tech and their futures. “In your time here, you have experienced an education that is more than just lectures and textbooks. You’ve been immersed in real-world challenges, engaged in critical thinking, and honed your ability to adapt,” she said. “You are leaving here with much more than a degree. You leave with the confidence to lead and the knowledge your ideas matter.”

President Jerry Balentine, D.O., who was in attendance, offered these remarks to the graduates: “Your experience here will help guide others, and I call on you to reach a hand back to those who are behind you to do the same for them that people did for you. This is how we continue to reinvent the future together. I know all of you will be successful whichever way you define success, and I am excited to see and hear where your paths will take you.”

Also in attendance from the New York campuses were Vice Provost for Research Jared Littman, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences Babak D. Beheshti, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Management Jaishankar Ganesh, Ph.D., and Director of Alumni Relations Sabrina Polidoro.

In her address to her fellow graduates, student speaker Reba Varghese (M.B.A. ’25) said, “This M.B.A. journey has been one of the most transformative chapters of my life. One of the greatest gifts has been learning alongside classmates from so many different nationalities and backgrounds. Each conversation, each collaboration gave me a new perspective. Not just in business but in life itself. It reminded me that education is not confined to textbooks or classrooms. It’s the exchange of ideas, cultures, and experiences that shape us into global citizens.”

Students and faculty were also presented with the following awards:

• Arman Bonakdarpour, Ph.D., assistant professor of energy management, received the Presidential Excellence Award for Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activities.
• Shams Islam (M.E.M. ’25) received the Energy Management Achievement Award, which is awarded to an outstanding master’s student who combines scholarship with personal achievements.
• Fariha Tahsin Chowdhury (M.S. ’25) and Kevin Agaba Barigye (M.S. ’25) received the Cybersecurity Graduate Student Award, which is awarded to a master’s student who has attained superior scholastic achievement and participation in the discipline of cybersecurity (information, network, and computer security).
• Evgeniia Popova (M.B.A. ’25) received the School of Management Award, which is conferred on a graduating student who has achieved the highest averages in the majors offered by the discipline: accounting, business administration, management, marketing, MIS, and finance.

Alumni Awards Dinner

On October 3, alumni gathered for the fourth annual Vancouver Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner at LaSalle College’s rooftop patio, where Nazmul Bhuiyan (M.E.M. ’24) and Shams Islam (M.E.M. ’25) were honored with achievement awards.

The event recognizes the professional achievements and community service of alumni from the Vancouver campus.

Bhuiyan was presented with the Alumni Achievement Award. Bhuiyan is a thermal energy manager specialist at CBRE, a commercial real estate agency in Vancouver. He was honored for his academic and professional dedication to advancing sustainability and energy management. While completing his Master of Energy Management at New York Tech, he excelled academically and served as a research and teaching assistant, supporting faculty and students. He earned multiple recognitions in 2024, including the Energy Management Achievement Award, the Student Travel Grant awarded by New York Tech-Vancouver for academic excellence and superior contribution to the school community, and was the winner at the project and poster contest at New York Tech’s Student Showcase. Bhuiyan also showcased his work at the Clean Energy Association of British Columbia’s Generate 2024 conference poster competition, where he ranked No. 1 on the community leaderboard for being the most active member. In addition, he represented New York Tech’s Department of Energy Management at the Retrofit Canada Conference in Vancouver, further strengthening the institution’s visibility in the professional community. Beyond technical expertise, Bhuiyan’s passion for mentoring, problem-solving, and promoting clean energy solutions distinguishes him as a leader who inspires colleagues and peers alike.

Islam was honored with the Alumni Service Award. Islam is a lead energy consultant at Quwa Smart Services, an engineering consulting firm. Islam has consistently taken on multiple volunteer and leadership roles that strengthened the New York Tech community and beyond. As a volunteer for orientation events, he welcomed and guided new students, ensuring they felt connected and supported. As a teaching assistant and peer tutor for the Conversation Club, he provided academic and language support to classmates and international students, helping them build confidence and succeed in their studies. In his role as a student assistant for Alumni Relations, Islam actively contributed to alumni engagement initiatives, bridging connections between current students and graduates. His proactive approach, reliability, and positive energy have directly contributed to the success of these programs by increasing participation, creating a welcoming environment, and reinforcing a culture of mutual support. His mentorship and approachable leadership have reduced the feelings of isolation and uncertainty that many newcomers face, fostering a sense of belonging and community.