For Gurshaan Manak, his love for soccer has taught lessons he carries into his approach to engineering.
Both require teamwork, perseverance and the ability to solve problems under pressure. These are qualities Manak hopes to carry with him as he works toward a career in designing sustainable technologies as a mechatronics engineer.
"Soccer has taught me discipline, perseverance, leadership and the value of working together toward a common goal," said Manak. "Whether on the field or in the classroom, I believe success comes from dedication, continuous improvement and supporting those around you."
Manak's ambition was recognized through Humber Polytechnic's Share Your Goal contest, which awards $5,000 toward tuition. The contest ran alongside Humber's SoccerBots installation at FIFA Fan Festival where interactive robots developed by Humber students and the Lord of Robots brought engineering, technology and soccer together. The Humber SoccerBot project showcased the kind of collaborative and hands-on learning that initially drew Manak to Humber.
"I chose Humber Polytechnic because of its strong emphasis on hands-on learning, industry connections, helpful and kind professors, and the variety of co-op opportunities available to future engineers".
Continuing his family's legacy, Manak's mother and other close relatives also studied at Humber. Their positive experiences at the school helped influence Manak's decision to attend the college. "Seeing my mom and other close relatives thrive in their studies at Humber Polytechnic made my choice in picking my college so much easier." he expressed.
In a state of shock and excitement, Manak said he had to read the winner notification several times before believing the news.
"Initially I was in disbelief and had to re-read the email multiple times to make sure I really won the contest," he said. "I called my family to share the incredible news, and we had a small celebration at home".
Manak credits his family and close mentors for supporting him throughout his studies and encouraging him to push himself and take on new challenges.
Manak's interest in engineering started with a curiosity about how things work. He began taking apart devices to understand how they function and gained more hands-on experience by helping his father with the family's construction and renovation business. These experiences sparked his interest in practical problem-solving and provided an early look at the importance of teamwork.
Manak's long-term goal is to develop sustainable automated systems and innovative machinery, with the ultimate goal of working in a high-tech manufacturing plant such as Tesla.
Winning the Share Your Goal contest has added another source of motivation for the mechatronics student.
"It felt like an encouraging vote of confidence from Humber Polytechnic," said Manak. "Most importantly, it motivates me to make the most of every academic and professional opportunity available to me at Humber."
