Gurman Ubhi has made significant impacts throughout their time at RRC Polytech - for themself, for fellow students, and - through their co-op placement at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) - for the environment. Their commitment to going the extra mile has recently earned Gurman the title of RRC Polytech's Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Co-op Student of the Year.
As a student in the Electronic Engineering Technology program, Gurman not only excels academically, but volunteers their time to serve as the Chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch at RRC Polytech.
It was during Gurman's co-op placement with ECCC where their skills, passion, and initiative truly shone. Gurman worked for the Atmospheric Monitoring Division of the Meteorological Service of Canada, and traveled throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut during their four-month placement.
This work saw them assisting senior technologists during weather station verification inspections - learning and working on complicated weather station systems that involved high-powered electrical components and complex instrumentation. These are the systems that generate the climate data that the ECCC uses to provide weather forecasts to Canadians across the country.
"Gurman's work in assisting the senior technologists during site inspections directly contributed to the safety of the Canadian public," noted Michael Maurice, Supervisor/Expert Technologist, Monitoring and Data Collection, Prairie Northern Operations - East at ECCC.
Gurman credited their education at RRC Polytech with preparing them for the complex work at ECCC.
"One of the most technically challenging yet rewarding aspects of my role was working on radar systems. This included inspections and testing of critical components such as antennas, power delivery systems, and safety equipment," said Gurman. "These experiences required me to draw upon my coursework in circuits, signal processing, and measurements, demonstrating the real-world applicability of my academic studies.
"Through these tasks, I developed a strong understanding of high-powered electrical systems and advanced instrumentation, further enhancing my technical expertise and critical thinking skills."
On top of their regular duties, Gurman developed and implemented a new online fleet vehicle tracker - a project that was so successful, it was eventually adopted by the division and is still used to this day.
"Gurman demonstrated outstanding problem-solving skills, adapting to feedback from multiple departments and ultimately delivering a valuable tool that streamlined fleet monitoring," said Maurice. "This project showcases Gurman's ability to think beyond assigned tasks and actively contribute to our team's objectives."
Gurman's contributions during their co-op placement have reinforced ECCC's commitment to RRC Polytech's WIL co-op program, as their high performance and proactive approach demonstrates the value of working with emerging talent.
"Co-operative education has been pivotal in shaping me into a well-rounded professional," said Gurman. "It has provided me with the skills, experiences, and network to excel in my career while reinforcing the importance of giving back to the student community. This experience has not only prepared me for my future career but has also inspired me to advocate for the expansion of WIL opportunities, ensuring that more students benefit from such transformative learning experiences."
Co-operative education plays a vital role in RRC Polytech's commitment to delivering high-quality education and training. Learn more about Co-operative Education and other types of Work-Integrated Learning at RRC Polytech.
