After waiting nearly four years, Mhamad Dale Aldale is in Canada and pursuing his dream career, thanks to the support of RRC Polytech’s Student Refugee Program (SRP).

Aldale, who goes by Dali, had what he humorously calls a “double personality” before arriving in Winnipeg this August, as he had passions in both humanitarian and engineering fields. Now, he’s decided to go for the latter in the College’s Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program, where the 24-year-old Syrian native is finishing up his first semester.

“It was a tough decision for me, but when I arrived here, I finally made it,” he says.

In August, Aldale arrived in Canada from Jordan, where he’d spent the last eight years since leaving Syria. During that time, he studied for his future and began to figure out his career goals — including work with an NGO and taking online courses exploring electronics and artificial intelligence.

“I’ve been well prepared, because I heard that if you’re applying for something that you’re passionate about, you should start reading and looking things up. I had that base knowledge before I arrived in Canada and all of that has paid off,” he says.

The journey to get to Winnipeg was a complicated one, with over 24 hours of travel plus COVID-19 testing and paperwork every step of the way. After arriving at James Richardson Airport, though, Aldale says he definitely sensed a new beginning.

“Once I arrived, I was very satisfied that it had come through and I felt good about opening a new chapter in my life.”

The College’s Student Refugee Program was launched in 2015, when the first sponsored student arrived from Malawi, Africa. A joint initiative between Student Services, the RRC Students’ Association and World University Service of Canada (WUSC), the program provides a 12-month scholarship for one sponsored student at RRC Polytech each year.

The continued success of the program has also been the result of generous donations from stakeholders like Albert El Tassi. The CEO of Peerless Garments, El Tassi has been a champion of SRP since its inception, not only providing financial assistance, but giving students a head start on arrival — including gifts of winter coats and information on how to get around Winnipeg.

El Tassi cites education as his main motivation for support, noting industries looking to innovate and the refugees themselves benefit mutually from the program.

“Students are important to me because learning is the key to keeping nations advanced and to keep the world moving forward,” he says.

“You’re taking [student refugees] from a camp or a country they’re not from — Syrians in Jordan, Turkey or Lebanon — and that’s important to me. Some of them come in, they get their degree and they’re very happy, they’re working and doing really well, and I’m delighted to see their success.”

Outside of school, Aldale is adjusting well to Manitoba, including the experience of his first winter — which included, as he puts it, “layers and layers and layers”.

“I kind of like the cold, though, I don’t know why,” he adds. “Maybe because it comes with the coffee and all that. In summer when it was warm it didn’t feel like Canada, but now it definitely does.”

While living in residence, his EET classmates have been helpful, and he’s been able to find some to connect with in his first few months in residence and on campus.

“As you know, so many people who have been interrupted just take a college course instead of going to university,” he says. “I’m able to find matches with those people.”

After graduation, Aldale hopes to work as a creative electrical engineer, citing Manitoba Hydro as an example of an organization where he eventually wants to get his foot in the door. In an ideal world, he can combine his humanitarian experience in Jordan with his new technical passion.

He recognizes, though, that the opening of those doors starts with the SRP and those who make it possible.

“This program has changed my life,” he said. “Everything I’m getting here is because of them; I’m really grateful for what they’re doing, and I hope that someday I can help them.

“They’re providing something great in the field of education, bringing people who are really hopeless and giving them hope, in all areas of the world.”

Those interested in supporting the program through the WUSC Local Committee as a member or a volunteer can contact Parmeet Ghatoaura, International Student Support Coordinator, at pghatoaura@rrc.ca or 204.632-2174

Profile by John Gaudes (Creative Communications, 2012)