Growing up, I lived in various countries throughout Southeast Asia and Europe. Amidst the vibrancy and multiculturalism that surrounded me, I saw widespread socioeconomic inequalities. This experience laid the foundation for my interest in social entrepreneurship.
I was always set on pursuing my university education in Canada, and several factors made McGill my top choice. It is renowned globally for its academic programs and research opportunities and continues to rank amongst the top universities worldwide.
McGill’s diverse and vibrant campus community also resonated with me. Being a newcomer to Canada, I sought a university that celebrated diversity within the community, and that could facilitate cross-cultural understanding and collaboration within my academic studies. As a city, Montreal is also dynamic and culturally rich, which was the last piece confirming my decision to pursue an education at McGill.
WATCH: Inara Lalani shares more about her McGill experience and what it's like to be honoured by her alma mater.
The opportunities I was given as an undergraduate student were unmatched by other programs I came across. While working on my Bachelor of Commerce degree, I was able to take several graduate-level courses in surgical innovation. For me, this multi-disciplinary experience exemplifies McGill’s progressive approach to education and its dedication to nurturing its students’ intellectual curiosity and ambitions.
McGill also boasts a robust entrepreneurship network that acts as a catalyst for innovation and creativity. From the McGill Dobson Cup, to the McGill X1 Accelerator, to the McGill Startup Fundraising Roadshow – I had the opportunity to participate in most of the Dobson Centre’s programming which has served me well in building my business.
McGill has had a profound impact on my life, my career, and my outlook on the world. Academically, it gave me the opportunity to enroll in a program that resulted in the incorporation of my business, FemTherapeutics – a medical device company that develops personalized prosthetics for women’s pelvic health – and the network to further the company’s growth beyond the classroom. The experiential learning and collaborative nature of these programs equipped me with the practical skills that have been instrumental in my career.
McGill’s strong alumni network and global reputation have also opened doors to numerous opportunities for networking and professional growth. The McGill community has fostered my own personal growth and allowed me to broaden my perspectives and cross-cultural understanding. Beyond academics and career, McGill has also instilled in me a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to making a positive impact on society.