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Emran Billah received his electrical engineering degree from Dalhousie in 2019, after completing a computer science degree at SMU, and immediately put his skills and knowledge to work to help build a better world.
 

“I think we need to contribute at the professional level, economic level, personal and social levels. My ultimate goal is to be able to solve at least one of the biggest challenges in the world, be it poverty, be it corruption, we have hunger, whatever it is” explains Billah.

After graduation, Billah co-founded and became Chief Technical Officer of Bluethumb Technologies – a fintech startup focused on socially innovative financial technologies. He also joined the team at Drinkable – a company that was based in the Emera ideaHUB on Dalhousie Engineering’s Sexton Campus, developing the world’s firsthand held water purifying device. Access to safe drinking water is one of the many problems that Billah – the company’s Lead Electrical & Software Engineer – is working to solve.

“Ensuring access to clean water has always been a passion close to my heart, stemming from my upbringing in Dhaka, Bangladesh,” explains Billah. Growing up in an environment where water pollution posed significant challenges, I personally experienced the impact of waterborne diseases. It's staggering to consider that one in three people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, with over 2 billion residing in water-stressed regions.” 

Crediting discipline and a healthy lifestyle that includes competitive weightlifting and circus training to keep his energy levels high, Billah also serves as Director of Software Engineering with Spiri Robotics based in Halifax. Through this work, he applies his technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to develop robotics technologies that aid in defence and environmental monitoring.

“Continuing to rely on conventional methods in the face of evolving challenges is a recipe for stagnation,” explains Billah. “We must embrace innovation and fresh perspectives to chart a new course forward. By harnessing the power of creativity and ingenuity, we can pave the way for transformative solutions that address the complexities of our modern era. It's imperative that we adapt and innovate to confront the obstacles that stand in the way of progress.” 

To help foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and change-makers, Billah volunteers his time mentoring students, organizes hackathons, serves as the local lead in Nova Scotia for the NASA Space Apps Collective Cohort and is the Global Amplification Collaborator for the Space Apps Collective Cohort. 

Named a ‘Top 30 Under 30 Innovator’ by Atlantic Business Magazine, and a finalist in 2023 for both ‘Role Model’ Digital Nova Scotia Tech Forward and ‘Emerging Professional’ Discovery Awards, his efforts have not gone unnoticed as he inspires future engineers to grow the economy, create healthier communities and impact real change. 

“Innovation thrives in an environment where collaboration and knowledge sharing are paramount. Investing in the growth of others is just as essential as honing one's own skill set,” says Billah. “By nurturing a culture of mentorship and continuous learning, we lay the foundation for collective progress and drive innovation to new heights.”