The journey to earning a degree is filled with highs, lows, big challenges and bigger celebrations. No one knows that better than the Faculty of Engineering class of 2026. Before they officially receive their diplomas, we asked students to share what they’re most proud of, what advice they’d give to new students and what moments they’ll never forget from their time at uOttawa Engineering.
Over a decade of hard work and determination
“I started university back in 2013. I’m graduating this year, in 2026. Despite having a long journey, I always believed I could make it. A manager I had at the University once gave me this advice: trust the process and hold the vision. Despite my disability and chronic illness, I kept going because I always trusted the process and held the vision.
“I took ownership of my education. I cut my course load in half to manage my chronic illness and still achieve my goal. Feel proud of what you’re accomplishing, even if it’s in a unique way. I’m proud to say I made it, and so can you!”
Hannah Hamda Omer, bachelor’s in chemical engineering, environmental engineering option
Why community matters during your university experience
“My advice is to buy in! Engineering is unique in the sense that it really is a team sport. You’ll have the opportunity to make lifelong connections, so take it! Chat with the people in your classes, sign up for intramural sports, participate in Design Day, study at Father and Sons, make friends with your TAs and go to office hours. Everyone around you is there to help you, and you’ll definitely need it. Engineering is tough but also so rewarding, and the community is what will get you through. The people along the way have truly made my experience at uOttawa a great one, and I’m thankful!”
Emma Buchanan, bachelor’s in biomedical mechanical engineering
Balancing a master’s degree and motherhood
“My proudest achievement was completing my engineering journey while also going through one of the biggest transitions of my personal life: motherhood. During my master’s journey, I became a mother and completed my degree while raising my son. Balancing assignments, exams, deadlines, sleepless nights and motherhood at the same time was incredibly challenging, but it taught me resilience, strength and perseverance in ways I never imagined. What made this journey even more meaningful was the incredible support and encouragement I received from faculty members, who continuously motivated me to keep going and helped me believe that I could finish my degree while taking care of my child. Looking back, I’m proud of not only earning my degree but also proving to myself that it’s possible to pursue ambitious goals while embracing motherhood at the same time.”
Saraf Nusrat, master’s in electrical and computer engineering
From uORover to Canada’s space sector
“Being part of uORover, uOttawa’s Mars rover competitive team, was one of the most meaningful experiences of my university journey. It allowed me to gain hands-on experience that later translated directly into my internships at MDA Space, where I worked on Canadarm3 and other lunar surface projects. Being able to contribute, even in a small way, to technologies supporting the Artemis missions has been incredibly rewarding.”
Maxime Couture, bachelor’s in computer engineering
Moving to Canada as an international graduate student
“My proudest moment was successfully graduating with strong academic results after moving my entire life from China to Canada. Bringing my cat and dog across the world to join me in this new chapter was a massive undertaking, but they were my biggest motivators. Returning to school after years in the workforce was a leap of faith, but seeing how well I adapted to the Canadian academic environment was incredibly fulfilling. Completing this degree while ensuring my pets were happy and settled in our new home is a milestone I will always cherish.”
Qilin Wu, master’s in computer science
The satisfaction of presenting your research
“My most memorable moment was when my first research paper was accepted. It took me almost a year to go through the full process of completing a research project for the first time. At the beginning, it was a real struggle — I felt lost, unsure of the direction, and there weren’t many positive signals along the way. But when the paper was finally accepted, I felt that all the effort had been worth it. It was even more special because the conference was held in Hawaii, which made the experience unforgettable.”
Xiao Hu, PhD in computer science
An online classroom that led to countrywide connections
“As someone in an online program, my advice would be to take full advantage of the virtual classroom experience rather than treating it as just a convenience. One of the biggest and most unique benefits of this program is that you can learn alongside graduate students from across the country working in many different technical and industrial sectors, who often approach problems from very different professional and regional perspectives. If you actively engage in those discussions, it expands how you approach problem-solving and leadership.”
Venedict Tamondong, master’s in engineering management (online program)
The thrill of defending your thesis
“My most memorable moment was my thesis defence. After months of experiments, late nights, submission attempts for peer-reviewed journals and more revisions than I can count, standing in that room, answering questions about work I had built from the ground up, was unlike anything else. It wasn’t just an academic milestone; it was proof that I could see something deeply complex through to completion.”
Soumi Hazra, master’s in computer science
Congratulations to the uOttawa Engineering class of 2026
These students and hundreds of their peers represent the future of engineering. No matter where their degrees take them, they’ll always be part of the uOttawa Faculty of Engineering. And their accomplishments will set the bar for the generations of students that follow.