Congratulations to mechanical engineering alumnus, Zayed Almansoori, who was recently named one of The Alberta Council for Global Cooperation's 2018 Top 30 Under 30. The awards recognize individuals whose work contributes to the United Nations' sustainable development goals. The Council recognized Zayed's efforts to reduce inequality, the UN's sustainable development goal number 10.
In the year leading up to the nomination, Zayed was president of the University of Alberta's chapter of Engineers without Borders. By the time the award was presented, though, Zayed had finished his Master's degree and returned to his home country of the United Arab Emirates.
"I was honoured to be named," says Almansoori. "Since I couldn't attend the award ceremony, I wasn't sure I should accept. But I talked to friends who encouraged me to accept."
Zayed is no stranger to success. In the summer of 2016, Zayed was a Sustainability Scholar, a collaboration between the University of Alberta and the City of Edmonton for graduate students to work on sustainability projects. Zayed worked with the City of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services to reduce water usage and reduce contamination at the fire department's Poundmaker training facility. In the winter of 2017 he was the second place winner of the University of Alberta's Three Minute Thesis competition for his presentation on his master's work on water treatment methods with nano-particles.
For the moment Zayed is pursuing more volunteer opportunities at home in the United Arab Emirates. He recently volunteered at the Middle East and North Africa Special Olympics, where he was in charge of security but also prepared lunches for the athletes.
"I met the most amazing athletes," he says. "They have disabilities, but they can out do me. It's hard to think of someone that strong and determined as 'disabled'"
While he was at the U of A, Zayed was president of the Energy Club, president of Engineers Without Borders and volunteered for projects around the city such as Multiplying Equality at the Boyle Street Community Centre. He plans to return to Edmonton, or somewhere else in Alberta or Canada, and hopes to combine his training and skills as an engineer with his passion for poverty reduction and sustainability.
One thing's for certain - wherever Zayed ends up, they'll be lucky to have him.