Repeating a tradition first established last fall, organizers of RRC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP) welcomed a special addition to the College community yesterday.

Members of the program’s Local Committee were joined by RRC executive and staff from Diversity and Intercultural Services, to greet Wasim Alkabani (above), the second student to arrive at the College under a sponsorship with the SRP, an initiative of World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

Now a permanent Canadian resident, Wasim arrived from Lebanon on Monday afternoon. Fluent in both English and Arabic, he’ll begin his Applied Accounting studies at the Exchange District Campus.

Born in Syria and raised mostly in Dubai, Wasim has a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Damascus University. He’s interested in a career in business or finance — just like his SPR predecessor, Yves Ngendahimana (below, at right), who arrived last fall from Malawi as the program’s first sponsored student.

Both Wasim and Yves (now working at Scotiabank, and returning to RRC to continue his Business Administration studies) came to Canada with help from not just committee members and the larger WUSC network, but also donors such as Albert El Tassi, whose contributions and mentorship help make the program possible.

Staff and students can meet Wasim at this year’s annual welcome party for immigrant and international students, taking place Fri., Oct. 21 at the Notre Dame Campus.

To join the College’s SRP Local Committee, contact Lauren Konrad, Student Integration Coordinator, at 204.631.3345.

Learn more about WUSC’s Student Refugee Program, or donate to RRC’s Student Refugee Program Award.