This spring, UWinnipeg celebrated five World University Services of Canada (WUSC) refugee students graduating from the University of Winnipeg, the largest contingent since the program’s inception in 1980.
UWinnipeg’s Immigrant and Refugee Student Services (IRSS) department oversees the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program (SRP), that covers tuition and living expenses through student levies.
Alum David Mabior Atem (BA 07), Coordinator/Head of the IRSS plays a major role in making the WUSC students settle comfortably at UWinnipeg.
Meet Sunday Emmanuel (BSc Hons 26), one of these outstanding students. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Honours, in Applied Computer Science.
I can say with full certainty, UWinnipeg did not just give me a degree, it gave me a community.
Sunday Emmanuel
Originally from South Sudan, Emmanuel arrived in the December of 2020 at UWinnipeg during the height of COVID-19.
Despite having to complete a quarantine period, the UWinnipeg’s Immigrant and Refugee Student Services (IRSS) Office had already organized his admission and arranged campus living for him.
“From the very first moment, I had an army of people already working behind the scenes to make sure I had everything I needed,” said Emmanuel. “The WUSC Local Committee including Bedel, Kyala, Mohamed, and the rest of their dedicated team had already registered me in courses, arranged my housing, and ensured that when I stepped off that plane, there was a plan waiting for me.”
When he finally got to meet the people behind all that preparation, he recalls meeting Atem, “We discovered we could speak Arabic together, something shifted in me. In that moment, a foreign country started to feel like a place where I could truly belong.”
Emmanuel’s degree reflects his passion for applied computer science, combined with statistics, which is deeply rooted in his love for data.
“I have a firm belief in the transformative power of big data when used efficiently,” shared Emmanuel. “I see data as one of the most valuable resources of our time, and I wanted to be part of the generation that harnesses it meaningfully.”
A significant part of that passion was sparked during his time in Uganda by his teacher and mentor Anyanzo Godfrey, at the Metu Senior Secondary School.
“Mr. Godfrey first introduced me to the world of IT and he fell in love with it,” shared Emmanuel. “His influence has stayed with me all the way to this graduation stage.”
Emmanuel credits his UWinnipeg experience for his success and has a long list of UWinnipeggers who have helped along his academic journey. He also notes his living and working on campus added an important dimension to his UWinnipeg experience.
Beginning with his introduction to David Atem, who set the stage for Emmanuel’s journey.
Lee Lixiang Hongh was his academic compass, and was always there when he had questions and helped him navigate his studies with confidence.
“Lee guided me through course selections and academic decisions with patience and expertise,” shared Emmanuel.
Living on campus gave him the opportunity to meet fellow students from all walks of life, many of whom have become close friends.
“The proximity to classes, resources, and people made it easy to feel connected to the university community from early on,” said Emmanuel. “The intramural sports programs through Recreational Services gave me a space to laugh, compete, and bond with fellow students over a shared love of the game. The friendships I formed will carry long after graduation and are far beyond the sports floor.”
In the Department of Applied Computer Science, Mary Adedayo, Victor Balogun, Camilo Valderrama, Jeanette Bautista and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Sohail Khan, Gyanendra Pokharel, and Shonda Dueck, Emmanuel credits these professors for creating an environment where he felt supported, challenged, and seen.
“These were not just professors, they were people who believed in me, and that made all the difference,” expressed Emmanuel. “Five years later, I can say with full certainty, UWinnipeg did not just give me a degree. It gave me a community.”
Post graduation, Emmanuel is excited to step into his field of work and put into practice everything he has learned. Looking further ahead, he plans to pursue a master’s degree and will continue to deepen his expertise and expand his learning.
June 20 is World Refugee Day. The University of Winnipeg honours this day, which was designated by the United Nations as a day to recognize refugees around the globe for their resilience in rebuilding their lives in new countries.
