Building on his civil engineering studies with us, he chose to take management courses to learn to be an entrepreneur.
“I broadened my horizons instead of staying strictly within the field of engineering,” he says. “I combined my different areas of expertise — engineering and business — to have my career.”
Teamwork for success
In addition to the scientific and technical skills Tabou developed in his engineering program, he also developed interpersonal skills thanks to the many projects he carried out in a team.
“People don’t always realize, but teamwork is just as important as leadership,” he says.
In fourth year, he had to do a major group project and submit it to specialized competitions. He convinced his team to choose the topic of sustainable engineering and, together, the members worked extra hard to create an innovative project. There was one snag, however: They missed the University’s deadline to register for the competition.
Despite this disappointment, the team pushed forward, taking part in a national competition instead, where its project took second place.
“It was a big success for us and we were very proud. With the setback at the outset, we had some difficulties to overcome,” says Tabou. “This experience taught us the importance of persevering.”
A supporter of life-long learning
Since finishing his bachelor’s at uOttawa, Tabou has continued on his path of learning. He’s complemented his education by taking part in professional development courses and conferences. In 2022, he attended COP15 in Montreal, to learn about new developments in sustainable engineering. He also took part in an economics program at Harvard for managers.
Breaking into the world of entrepreneurship
When he launched Green Construction-Homes, his sustainable business in Cameroon, he noticed that people hesitated to hire it.
“I didn’t have years of experience, but I didn’t sit around waiting for opportunities to arrive. I created my own projects and made my own way,” he says.
One initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Cameroonian government, was meant to raise students’ awareness of sustainable development and encourage environmental stewardship. Tabou’s construction projects also reflect his creativity. This has been the case with his energy self-sufficient homes, a sustainable city park and affordable bamboo housing he designed in Cameroon.
Giving back to students and the community
Since the start of his career, Tabou has been actively involved in his community. He mentors youth interested in pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). He’s a model for engineering students and an ambassador for his alma mater. As a uOttawa alumnus, he’s pleased to share his knowledge and inspire the next generation of engineers.
With his experience as an international student, he also offers advice to those who come from abroad looking for a similar education to his:
“Take what you want, have clear goals, avoid distractions and, most of all, don’t ever give up before you’re where you want to be.”