Posted: November 17, 2023
By: Aishwarya Shrestha
In the spirit of cultivating innovation and fostering societal impact, alum Arvin Ramlakhan (MEC’19) has made a commitment of $7,500 to Dalhousie University. His generosity will establish a fund called “Scholarship for Change Champions,” which will create an annual $1,500 scholarship supporting a meritorious student currently enrolled in the Master of Digital Innovation program within the Faculty of Computer Science. It is intended to encourage and facilitate the student’s academic journey, with a special emphasis on leveraging their education to drive positive societal transformation.
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Ramlakhan completed his Master’s in Electronic Commerce (MEC) at Dalhousie University in 2019. (The MEC program has since evolved into the Masters of Digital Innovation). Presently residing in Ottawa, Ramlakhan is an acting Special Advisor at Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) a special operating agency of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) Canada.
We recently sat down with Ramlakhan to discuss some of his memories at Dalhousie and why he chose to give back to his alma-matter.
What inspired you to make a donation to Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science?
I was fortunate to receive an academic scholarship while studying at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science. It came as a bit of a surprise, and I still remember how excited I was to share the good news with my parents. I always wanted to pay it forward. One day I met another alum who had set up a small scholarship in her previous program, and I thought that it was an incredible idea. I sent an email to Laura Clark, the Assistant Dean of Advancement. I was particularly interested in providing financial support for students in the Masters of Digital Innovation program – these students are incredibly skilled and ambitious, and I hope that these small gifts can help them reach their potential. I would like to see them become leaders in digital business, health informatics, or data science.
I moved to Halifax at a time in my life where I felt as though I had something to prove personally and professionally. Halifax welcomed me with open arms and Dalhousie supported and nourished that ambition. I could not have asked for a better place to learn and grow as a person. Halifax still feels like my home away from home. There is something about the warmth and strength of Nova Scotians that resonates with me. Giving back is one of the ways I can continue to have a connection with a place that is near and dear to me.
Could you share some insights into your journey after graduating from Dalhousie?
When I graduated in spring 2019, and I had originally planned to return to Toronto and continue my career in digital marketing. At that time, I was also completing a student term with CIPO in Gatineau, Quebec. I really enjoyed my time as a student working on the policy and international affairs teams.
As a student I had an opportunity to meet our department’s ministers, to tour the Canadian Space Agency and National Research Council, and to sit in on Question Period at Parliament Hill. I was awestruck by the size of our department, the importance of our sectors, and its impact on Canadians. I was happy to be offered a full-time position, and I chose to start a second career where I would work my way up from an entry-level position. I began learning French and I said yes to every request that came my way. Over time opportunities for advancement arose. I am lucky to work with a great group of people and I am incredibly proud to serve my country as a public servant.
Arvin Ramlakhan (MEC'19) at his convocation
What message would you like to convey to other alumni who are considering giving back?
I am always impressed by the passion and talent of our incredible alumni. I would encourage our alumni to reach out to their former faculties to learn how they can get involved. They may be surprised to learn that there are a lot of different ways they can contribute. Whether it’s participating on a panel, hiring a summer student, acting as a mentor, volunteering at events, or serving on a steering committee. I think our alumni have so much to offer students at Dalhousie and their wider community beyond just making a donation. (Editor’s Note: Ramlakhan also volunteered as a Dalhousie Alumni Association board member. You can read his volunteer spotlight at: Volunteer Spotlight: Arvin Ramlakhan – Dalhousie Alumni)
What advice would you give to your fellow alumni who may be contemplating making a donation to the Faculty of Computer Science but are unsure about how their contributions can make a tangible difference?
I would encourage our alumni to think about how they would like to make a difference in the lives of students. Donations play an important role in achieving some of these outcomes. A donation can help fund research or scholarships and bursaries that can help students in need. Your funding can support career-building opportunities that may never have existed. Whether it’s student exchanges, experiential learning, new equipment, or access to industry events and conferences. Even something on a smaller scale, such as purchasing tickets or a full table at a banquet, makes a difference.
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Ramlakhan’s contributions and commitment to fostering positive change serve as a testament to the impact individuals can have within their communities and beyond.
The inaugural Scholarship for Change Champions award will be bestowed toward the end of the selected student’s first year/start of their second year in the graduate program. The announcement will be made at the faculty’s annual student-run Snowball event.
Note: This is an abridged version of the original article. Read more of Ramlakhan’s story.