Coby Zucker

A former esthetician, U of T grad looks forward to pursuing a new career as a lawyer

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:15:26 +0000

A former esthetician, U of T grad looks forward to pursuing a new career as a lawyer

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 06/27/2024 - 11:15

Cutline

Kavery Bedar quit her job as an esthetician to further her education at U of T – and is now looking forward to starting law school in the fall (supplied image)

Coby Zucker

Topic

Our Community

Convocation 2024

Faculty of Arts & Science

Woodsworth College

Subheadline

Kavery Bedar went through the Academic Bridging Program at Woodsworth College as a mature student before earning her honours bachelor of arts degree

For Kavery Bedar, convocation marked the next step in a major career change from esthetician to future lawyer.

Bedar, who completed the Academic Bridging Program at Woodsworth College prior to starting her undergraduate degree, graduated with her honours bachelor of arts with a major in history and minors in sociology and critical studies in equity and solidarity.

Her accomplishments include her work on the hidden homelessness research and outreach project at Sistering, a non-profit organization and women's shelter, which was carried out in partnership with U of T’s Multidisciplinary Urban Capstone Project. The project led to the creation of a tool to assist women and gender-diverse people experiencing hidden homelessness in Toronto.

Bedar recently received her admission to Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. She spoke to Faculty of Arts & Science writer Coby Zucker about her decision to come to U of T, her experiences as a mature student and her ambitions for the future.

What made you decide to pursue your degree as a mature student?

After high school, I jumped into work. I worked as a makeup artist for about seven years, and then I transitioned to being an esthetician. I quit in February and although it was a fulfilling career, I couldn't see myself in it for another 20 years.

I felt like if I didn’t ever try, I would regret it. I don't mind trying and failing, but I think the biggest regret would have been not trying. Ultimately, it was about following my heart and then laying out a step-by-step action plan on how to achieve my dream.

How was your experience at the Academic Bridging Program at Woodsworth?

Coming in, I was really nervous. Would I be able to succeed? It's been a long time since I wrote an essay or did academic reading. I also was not a very strong student in high school. So even though I had the determination and the passion, I didn't know if I had the skills. The Academic Bridging Program really instilled those fundamental skills, like how to read an academic paper. They made me feel like there is no stupid question.

Can you tell us about Sistering and your work there as a community liaison?

Sistering is a 24-hour women's drop-in shelter. We serve women and gender diverse folks experiencing homelessness, poverty, social isolation and food insecurity. It's an amazing organization. My interest in the position also came from the social advocacy piece. After my undergrad, I’m going to law school – and the goal was always to do some type of human rights law or some type of social advocacy in my work. Hence why I quit the salon and now work full-time at Sistering. It aligns well with my career-change goal.

Were there any professors or courses that stood out to you as you reflect on your degree?

There are two professors specifically that I will carry in my heart forever. One is Jon Johnson. He was my professor in the Academic Bridging Program. He's been a great role model on how to think about social justice issues, how to talk about social justice issues and how to do it in a human, empathetic way.

Another professor who is just such a joy to be around is Nakanyike Musisi, who specializes in African history. When I got into law school, she actually got me a cake saying ‘Congratulations.’ She celebrated our achievements and our successes. In her fourth-year seminar, she challenged us to think deeper. And she just created this warm, fuzzy community in this massive institution.

Do you have any advice for others considering earning a degree as a mature student?

I would say just go for it. Just do it. It might not work for everyone but for me, the fear of trying something new is worth the risk because the payoff can be so amazing. The fact that I am actually going to go to law school is amazing to me. Nobody thought I could do it.

And really advocate for yourself. If there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's that although folks want what's best for you, sometimes they don't know what's best for you. You are the expert of your life. Advocate for yourself, especially for women, who are sometimes socialized to not talk as loud or be as open.

How one U of T PhD student's dream of exploring space took flight on a balloon

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 18:57:56 +0000

How one U of T PhD student's dream of exploring space took flight on a balloon

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 09/29/2023 - 14:57

Cutline

Emaad Paracha, right, snaps a selfie with the SuperBIT team in New Zealand (supplied image)

Coby Zucker

Topic

Our Community

Faculty of Arts & Science

Space

Subheadline

Emaad Paracha was a key member of the team that launched the Super-pressure Balloon-borne Imaging Telescope, known as SuperBIT, earlier this year

Emaad Paracha's fascination with outer space began at a young age – he even studied Russian in high school as it’s required by NASA to become an astronaut.

And his journey of exploration is only beginning.

Now a PhD student in the Balloon Astrophysics Group at the University of Toronto, Paracha often finds himself liaising directly with the U.S. space agency as he works on some of the field’s biggest challenges.

Working with supervisor Barth Netterfield, a professor in the David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Paracha was a key member of the team that launched the Super-pressure Balloon-borne Imaging Telescope, known as SuperBIT, earlier this year.

The telescope’s mission was a success, and the images it collected will help astrophysicists further our understanding of dark matter and the formation of the universe.

“I never really thought once I was graduating that I'd be doing a project like this,” says Paracha, who completed a master’s degree in physics at U of T and a bachelor’s degree in science from U of T Scarborough.

Paracha's responsibilities on the project were varied, from helping build the hardware to writing flight code. Some of his biggest contributions to SuperBIT were working on its autopilot mode, which allowed SuperBIT to take images automatically based on the time and its location, as well as a file program that downloaded images to Earth.

He also helped implement SpaceX's Starlink connectivity for the first time on any balloon mission in the world.

A 14-year-old Paracha in Cape Canaveral (supplied image)

With experience in coding, mathematics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud development and more, Paracha credits his two U of T degrees for giving him the knowledge and skills he needs to perform his work.

“All the tools and resources that U of T and U of T professors have provided, especially the department of physics, have been really helpful,” he says. “It's been great. There’s a reason why I've been here so long.”

Netterfield, his supervisor, says Paracha is a key member of the team.

“Emaad is self-motivated, which means you don’t have to push him and that pushing doesn’t do any good,” he says. “He has lots of cool, interesting ideas and ways of doing things, and generally adds a lot of character to the group.”

In February 2023, Paracha and the SuperBIT team travelled to Wānaka, New Zealand to build, test and launch the telescope. It was the culmination of years of work – with no guarantee the launch would actually take place given strict safety protocols and varying weather conditions.

“I just had in my mind that there was a 70 per cent chance it was going to be scrapped,” Paracha says. “Eventually it came to the point where we were just waiting and waiting and waiting.”

SuperBIT rests on the launchpad (supplied image)

After 13 long hours, SuperBIT was lifted into near space by a NASA Super Pressure balloon that, when fully inflated, is larger than a football stadium. There, it began its mission of photographing distant galaxy clusters.

“It was just a really big relief,” Paracha says. “But also the feeling that the real work begins now.”

Working on balloon-borne telescopes comes with both highs and lows. Forty days into its 100-day journey, SuperBIT was brought down before it could drift over Antarctica. Because of the hilly area and windy conditions on the day of the termination, it was dragged for kilometres along rocky terrain.

Paracha was part of the team that travelled to the Patagonia Desert, on the southern tip of Argentina, a full day’s drive from the nearest city, for the bittersweet job of recovering what remained of SuperBIT.

“The telescope was in shambles,” Paracha says. “But the good thing is we were able to get our data back.”

While SuperBIT will never launch again, the data it collected will help astrophysicists use a process called weak lensing – studying how light bends around distant galactic clusters – to make inferences about dark matter that could improve our cosmological model of the universe.

Tarantula Nebula, as taken by SuperBIT (supplied image)

The more immediate result of SuperBIT’s demise is that it clears the way for Netterfield and Paracha’s next project: GigaBIT. The next generation telescope will improve in many ways on SuperBIT. It aims to rival the resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope with a much wider field of view.

“Emaad is the last man standing. He’s the only one of my students continuing with GigaBIT,” Netterfield says. “If I had to guess, it's because he enjoys the work with an open hand, not a closed fist, whereas my existence is tied up with this thing succeeding.”

The plan is to fly GigaBIT in five years. Paracha will have already completed his doctorate by then – and is keeping his options open when it comes to next steps. He says he sees himself using his SuperBIT and tech industry experience and to move into the field of space technology, where he wants to play a pivotal role in developing tools that push the boundaries of human exploration and scientific understanding.

“There are so many different problems I want to solve in space tech, like communications, better edge computing and computer architecture design, and both software and hardware design,” Paracha says. “So that's the path I want to take.”

Above all else, Paracha hasn’t lost sight of the goal he’s had since he was a teenager: becoming an astronaut. In his downtime, Paracha loves to travel and photograph iconic landmarks featured on currency of different countries. So far, he's visited 10 countries and taken more than 60 pictures, showcasing them on his website. He already has in mind the finale for the project.

“If you look on the back of a Canadian five-dollar bill, it's the Canadarm in space and an astronaut,” Paracha says. “So maybe I'll go there and take a picture with that.”

Shirin Ebadi to deliver lecture: 'Women, Life, Liberty: Human Rights and the Women’s Uprising in Iran'

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:16:20 +0000

Shirin Ebadi to deliver lecture: 'Women, Life, Liberty: Human Rights and the Women’s Uprising in Iran'

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 09/08/2023 - 11:16

Cutline

Shirin Ebadi, who received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, is known worldwide for staunchly supporting the rights of women, children and refugees in Iran (supplied image)

Coby Zucker

Topic

Global Lens

Faculty of Arts & Science

Global

Iran

Subheadline

"Iran's long-term prospects are promising because of its potential for transformative change," Nobel Prize-winner says

Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi is returning to the University of Toronto to deliver a lecture on the women’s uprising in Iran.

Ebadi, who received an honorary degree from U of T in 2004, is known worldwide for staunchly supporting the rights of women, children and refugees in Iran.

She will deliver her lecture, “Women, Life, Liberty: Human Rights and the Women’s Uprising in Iran,” on Sept. 22 in Convocation Hall. Ebadi’s visit coincides with the one-year anniversary of the start of the Iranian women’s uprising that began in response to the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

The lecture is a partnership with U of T’s Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science, a world leader in the study of Iranian history and culture. The institute runs regular symposiums, including in the weeks leading up to Ebadi’s lecture.

“Shirin Ebadi is the first in-person Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali distinguished lecturer,” says Professor Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi, director of the institute. “This is particularly significant since the Institute of Iranian Studies is a public-facing unit seeking to enhance dialogue and interaction with communities beyond campus.”

Ebadi was one of Iran’s first female judges before being dismissed after the Iranian Revolution in 1979. In 2000, Ebadi was briefly imprisoned for her legal work exposing human rights violations in Iran. Undeterred, Ebadi continued to fight for women, children, refugees and government dissidents. Subjected to intense government scrutiny, threats and seizure of assets, Ebadi eventually went into exile. She now lives in London, England and continues to fight for Iranian democracy in her writing and speaking engagements.

“With a distinguished career as a judge in pre-revolutionary Iran, Dr. Ebadi has been the most significant voice for Iranian women’s rights and equality in the past four decades,” Tavakoli-Targhi says.

Ebadi answered the following questions in Persian. Her answers have been translated into English:

Is there a personal significance for you in returning to U of T to deliver this lecture?

The University of Toronto is one of the most important universities in Canada and is notable for its commitment to Iranian and Asian studies. It is an honour for me to be able to give a lecture at this distinguished university. Additionally, the substantial presence of Iranian students and professors in the institution adds a layer of personal significance to this occasion. The prospect is all the more appealing as it enables me to effectively connect with a larger audience of my fellow compatriots through this university's platform.

A lot has changed at U of T since you were last here. What is the importance of the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies and its efforts to lead the dialogue on Iran?

Iran has managed to endure through its distinct culture and language, when observing the fate of nations like Egypt – a once-great ancient civilization that regrettably lost its language over time. Despite repeated invasions and foreign occupations throughout history, Iran retained its language and cultural heritage. The Elahé Omidyar Institute of Iranian Studies stands as a commendable entity dedicated to saving the Persian language and culture. Culture plays a pivotal role in the resilience of a nation, a significance heightened by the fact that nearly seven million Iranians reside outside Iran. Institutions such as this play an important role in preserving Iran's language and culture, thus contributing significantly to the nation's survival.

As we approach one year since the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances after being arrested for “improperly” wearing a hijab, how has the landscape of the protests changed?

In Iran, protests often emerge as a means for citizens to voice their long-standing demands. Despite years of attempting to communicate these demands to the government, they had no answer except bullets and prison. The strict censorship within the country's local media prevents the open discussion of these problems, necessitating the involvement of international media to amplify the voices of the people. It has become a collective responsibility for Iranians to disseminate information about the situation of Iran through various channels, ensuring the global community remains informed about the ongoing events. Collaborating with civil society organizations in democratic nations can provide valuable support. Politicians who prioritize universal human rights over economy or personal agendas can play a pivotal role in influencing positive change and raising awareness about the struggles faced by the Iranian people.

Civil unrest, such as that in Iran, often quickly leaves the news cycle. What is the importance of keeping the conversation alive and at the forefront of people’s minds?

Iran's long-term prospects are promising because of its potential for transformative change. With a substantial population and a vast country with resources and reputable universities, the country possesses a solid foundation for growth. Notably, Iranians who have left Iran are often successful in their respective fields and retain a deep affinity for their homeland. This sentiment positions them to potentially return to Iran and contribute to Iran's rebuilding upon the advent of democracy.

While the ultimate vision holds tremendous potential, it's crucial to recognize that achieving this positive outcome may not be immediate. The road to that auspicious day could be in the not near future, and there might even be phases where circumstances worsen than the present year. However, such challenges are transient, and the collective resilience of the Iranian people will carry the nation through these stages. Ultimately, Iran will gain its glory.

Protesters marched on the St. George campus on Oct. 6, 2022 in support of Mahsa Amini (photo by Polina Teif)

What can non-Iranians and the Iranian diaspora community do to continue the support of women in Iran as they fight for their liberty?

My duty and the duty of every Iranian abroad who has a heart for the homeland is to convey the words and voices of the people inside Iran. Universities are a place for disseminating knowledge and inspiring the youth. By addressing these issues through lectures, we will not only create a dialogue around the challenges faced by the people but also encourage discussions that can drive positive change. The words that come out of the microphone are the voice of the Iranian people and it is what they expect us to do.

You have lectured and spoken at numerous universities and institutions about women’s liberty in Iran. How do universities play a role in spreading this message worldwide?

Students are usually young and it is very important for them to be familiar with the situation of women around the world because they will enter society with a more correct attitude toward women's rights, and this will be very effective in improving the situation of women around the world. It is very important to address these subjects in universities.

It has been 20 years since you received a Nobel Peace Prize. Can you briefly reflect on receiving that award and what you have done since?

[The year] 2009, the start of the Green Movement, marked a turning point for Iran's political climate, leading to increased restrictions and crackdowns on civil society organizations, such as the Defenders of Human Rights Center. The centre's activities drew intense government scrutiny, resulting in severe repressions. The office was attacked, leading to its closure, the arrest of the management team, and their subsequent imprisonment, including the ongoing detention of Narges Mohammadi.

As a founding member and head of the association, I was also targeted, but I was outside of the country. My husband and sister were arrested to pressure me into silence. Additionally, my assets, including the apartment that I purchased with the Nobel Prize fund allocated to the centre, were confiscated. The government also seized my bank accounts, including the portion of the Nobel Peace Prize funds intended for covering the centre's expenses.

Indeed, the pursuit of freedom often comes with significant sacrifices, and I am happy that none of us backed down and the activities are still going on. Recently, the Shirin Ebadi Foundation has started preparing and translating legal education pamphlets and books, and translating them into Kurdish, Balochi, Turkish and Arabic languages.

The significance of human rights in Iran gained substantial attention after 2003, when I received the Nobel Peace Prize. While initially we may have been among the few human rights institutes, it's great to see that the landscape has evolved. Awareness and commitment to protecting human rights have become widespread, leading to the establishment of numerous human rights organizations.

Unfortunately, despite these advancements, the human rights situation in Iran remains challenging. Government repression and strong censorship persist, alongside the existence of discriminatory laws.

Nonetheless, there's hope for a more positive future. Over time, and through persistent efforts, it's conceivable that these discriminatory laws will be abolished, paving the way for improved human rights situation in Iran.

For new U of T grad Medha Arora Wadhwa, public speaking is key to creating change

siddiq22 — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 14:29:36 +0000

For new U of T grad Medha Arora Wadhwa, public speaking is key to creating change

siddiq22 Fri, 06/23/2023 - 10:29

Cutline

Medha Arora Wadhwa developed a passion for public speaking while earning her bachelor's degree in commerce (supplied photo)

Coby Zucker

Topic

Our Community

Convocation 2023

Student Leadership Award

Graduate Stories

Faculty of Arts & Science

Rotman Commerce

Summer Abroad

Woodsworth College

For new Faculty of Arts & Science graduate Medha Arora Wadhwa, university was a time to grow and give back.

Arora Wadhwa earned her honours bachelor of commerce, specializing in management with a focus on marketing, while also completing minors in drama and economics.

After graduation, Arora Wadhwa plans to pursue her passion for art history, studying in Spain through U of T’s Summer Abroad program. When she returns, her aim is to find full-time work consulting in media and communications.

Over the past four years, Arora Wadhwa was involved with the Rotman Commerce Arts Group and Rotman Commerce Toastmasters. Most recently, she was vice-president external for the Toastmasters club, where she launched the RCT x RCPA: Roaring '20s Speakeasy, an arts incubator that created a safe space for the creative exploration of issues that are difficult to discuss or rarely spoken about.

Arora Wadhwa was also a student leader at Woodsworth College, where she was a residence advisor.

For her efforts, Arora Wadhwa earned a University of Toronto Student Leadership Award as well as the Director's Award for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion from Rotman Commerce.

She spoke with Faculty of Arts & Science writer Coby Zucker about her passion for public speaking and how it was helpful during her time at U of T.

Arora Wadhwa was vice-president external for Rotman Commerce Toastmasters (supplied image)

What did you get out of participating in Rotman Commerce Toastmasters?

First, there's the element of public speaking, which is so helpful to anyone in a professional and academic setting. I really developed my skills through the club. The other thing was being given a bit of freedom. I had a vision to create an arts incubator where people could speak about issues that are very rarely spoken about – like pride, feminism, diversity and body dysmorphia.

Through Toastmasters, you're given so much support for any idea that you have. To be able to see something like that come to life showed me that's something I want to do in the future, for a career.

You worked as a public-speaking tutor. What was that like?

I work with a lot of students who are English-language learners and to see their confidence grow, especially in a language they're not comfortable with, is just really beautiful.

What makes public speaking so important?

It's such a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively, and to be able to get what you need to say across in a clear and effective way. And taking it a step further, being able to communicate with a big group of people in an effective way can help create a lot of social change.

It also doesn't have to be at the macro level – it's also on the micro level. It's speaking up for yourself in a meeting or communicating your ideas on a project. Those are the small wins that public speaking gets you. Having that confidence and comfort with speaking can really transform people's lives.

What is the value of public speaking for groups that are often underrepresented in public discourse?

Public speaking is especially tough for any minority. Women historically have been told not to speak up. It's a very recent societal change that we've had where we're encouraged to. For people with disabilities or any kind of minority, you're taught your entire life through society that your voice doesn't have that much significance.

So public speaking is especially important for any kind of minority to advocate for themselves. To be confident in speaking is to create change for yourself and a bigger group of people.

What advice would you have for someone who is considering studying at U of T?

Don't lose your individuality. It's really easy to see the path or the direction all your peers are taking and then feel like you're doing something wrong, or feel like you're not successful enough by those standards.

If you can leverage your own individuality – whatever it is you love or that makes you unique – whether it's dance or acting or a certain sport you play or maybe having a disability, that's who you are.

I’d say own that, because that's what makes you unique – and that's what's going to take you further.