If there were two guiding inspirations for Abdul Sidiqi during his time as an undergrad, it was his passion for science and the experiences of his family.
“As newcomers to Canada we had the typical challenges of resettling, but we were grateful for being able to go to school and getting treatment for my dad when he was ill,” says Sidiqi, who graduated with a double major in psychology and human biology from U of T Scarborough.
“That made a big impact on me as an Afghan-Canadian and I always felt a duty to give back, just like others, people who were essentially strangers, did for us.”
His father was a medical doctor back home in Afghanistan, but could no longer practice after falling chronically ill. Growing up, Sidiqi dreamed of also becoming a doctor so he could cure illnesses like the one affecting his father. Now, after graduating this fall with high distinction, he’s one step closer to that dream having enrolled in his first year of medical school at U of T.
Sidiqi’s father passed away during his first year of undergrad, and he says a lot of what he aims to achieve in life is done in his memory.
“Coming to a country like ours where quality education and health care are generally accessible, it meant a lot to my dad and our family. It’s also why I wanted to get involved on campus, to give back as much as I can and to make a positive impact,” he says.
He says being a doctor offers a career where he can combine his two passions of science and humanitarianism. And while he isn’t sure what type of medicine he wants to eventually practice, public health is something that interests him since he wants to make a difference on a larger scale, even if he’s able to do it in addition to a regular practice.
“Seeing the experiences other newcomers go through, and remembering what my family went through, I want to be an advocate for others, especially the sick and marginalized,” says Sidiqi.
Two experiences that really stick out for Sidiqi about his time at U of T Scarborough are his work-study roles with the Department of Student Life and various research opportunities. In second year, he worked as a Peer Academic Coach as part of the First Generation Program, which offers assistance to first-year students who are first in their family to attend a Canadian university. Then in fourth year he took on the role of Lead Mentor for the First Year Experience Program.
“Abdul was a dedicated, hard-working and humble leader who was passionate about contributing to the campus life experience of his fellow students,” says Emzhei Chen, coordinator of First Year Programs at U of T Scarborough.
“He was able to effortlessly connect with new students and made sure their transition to university was seamless by offering academic resources and suggestions on co-curricular activities.”
A passion for science also led Sidiqi to volunteer in Professor Herbert Kronzucker’s lab where he helped with research in developing stronger, more drought-resistant rice and barley crops. In fourth year, he started an independent research project along with fellow student Monica Shah under the guidance of Assistant Professor Philip Monahan from the Centre for French and Linguistics. The research looked at differences in how native and non-native English speakers recognize words.
“Aside from his drive and determination, I think the one thing I’ll remember most fondly about Abdul is his genuine enthusiasm and commitment for research,” says Monahan.
“It shows in his earnest efforts to understand a problem, and in his engaging and exuberant presentation style. When he presented this work on campus, he absolutely came alive and captured audiences in ways that I had not yet seen in an undergraduate student.”
This project ended up being a finalist at the 2017 UTSC Library Research Poster Forum, and was also awarded an Undergraduate Research Prize.
“Doing research takes patience and perseverance, but that’s part of the challenge that makes it special,” says Sidiqi. “Taking ownership of a unique research question and testing it, and then knowing you’re contributing to a wider body of knowledge is such a privilege.”
During his time as an undergrad, Sidiqi also served as Director of Sponsorships for TedxUTSC. He was also on the U of T Governing Council’s Academic Board, served as a director with the SCSU, an executive at the Environmental and Physical Sciences Students’ Association (EPSA), and as a research intern at Princess Margaret Hospital.
If he has one piece of advice for fellow students he encourages them to get involved, whether in organizing a conference, mentoring another, or volunteering for a social cause.
“If you have an opportunity to give back and make a positive impact, go for it,” he says.
“This is your chance to grow. The sense of accomplishment in taking part in something bigger than yourself is second to none. Those are the experiences you will always remember and be proud of when your time as an undergrad is done.”