2009 Winners: Community Service Awards

Excellence in Community Service Award - Justin So

Justin So is a M.Sc. student in Biology working on the biological traits of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa for management of the fishery at the Ocean Sciences Centre.

Outside of the lab, he is known for his breadth and depth of community involvement, volunteering with Let’s Talk Science, The Rooms, and the Chinese Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (CANL). As head coach for the CANL Lion Dance Troupe, he has trained Chinese youth in the traditional lion dance and choreographed numerous routines for Chinese New Year celebrations and “Sharing Our Cultures” events. In addition, Justin is heavily involved in growth the sport of fencing in the province as the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fencing Association (NLFA) and coach for the Memorial University Fencing Club and children’s Allez! Fencing Club. Under his direction, he has increased the number of fencers in the province, and provided more opportunities for coaching training and athlete development.

Excellence in Community Service Award - Forhad Ahmad

I am from Bangladesh. I have born as well as passed my early days in a calm city called Sylhet (North-East town of Bangladesh). I received my Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in 2006. I joined Faculty of Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland in the fall semester 2007 as a graduate student. I am doing Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and my research area is focused on Oil and Gas.

I like hiking; camping, travelling, swimming, soccer, and I love to meet with new people and make new friends. I also like to working as a volunteer. I am working as a Secretary with Engineering Graduate Students Society (EGSS). I also worked as a Volunteer with Future Set, MUN Red Cross, GSU, Student Volunteer Bureau, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.I have enjoyed my stay in St.John’s thoroughly. I believe it is one of the most rewarding and incredible experience.