The list for the annual RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards 2020 dedicated to recognising Inspiring Immigrants In Canada who have helped shaped the country is out.
The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award, currently in its 12th edition is an annual campaign by Canadian Immigrant magazine, presented by the Royal Bank of Canada.
This year, 75 inspiring immigrants from diverse ethnic communities, cities and industries, were chosen from among hundreds of nominations and making the cut is Nigeria’s Adeola Olubamiji.
“Past winners often tell us how special and meaningful this award is to them, as it’s a celebration of not only their achievements, but of their entire immigration journey,” says Sanjay Agnihotri, publisher of Canadian Immigrant. “This year’s finalists may be facing extra professional and personal challenges during this global pandemic, and we hope the awards will serve as a point of hope, inspiration and pride in these difficult times.” The firm had written.
Making the cut is Nigeria’s Adeola Olubamiji.
Adeola Deborah Olubamiji is a Nigerian-Canadian Technologist who specializes in Metal and Plastic Additive Manufacturing (also known as 3D-Printing). In 2017, she became the first black person to obtain a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the 112-year-old University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Olubamiji is also a senior additive manufacturing engineer at Cummins Inc. Indiana.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria. She is also the Founder of STEMHub Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting the engagement of minorities in STEM careers through creative, free, hands-on and minds-on STEM workshops on various STEM topics
and one-to-one mentoring program.
She was recognized in 2017 as 5th of the 150 black women making Canada better, commemorating the 150th celebration of Canada.
In 2019, She was named one of the 10 L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth Honoree Canada
In 2019, She was named as one of 27 Influential Women in Manufacturing Honoree in USA
In 2020, Olubamiji was awarded as one of 130 STEP Ahead Honoree and female manufacturing leaders by the Manufacturing Institute, USA
An excited Adeola Olubamiji took to her Twitter page to share her excitement:
I am thrilled to announce that I am a 2020 Winner of the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Awards!
Words failed me Loudly crying face. I came to Canada as a PhD student and it’s been a journey. I lived in basements and worked as a salesgirl.
Everyone who heard that I was studying Biomedical Engineering / 3D-printing thought I wouldn’t be able to secure a job with such an “absurd degree”. So, they pitied me.
I tried to quit my PhD degree a couple of times when it got really rough. I turned down an engagement. Every birthday above 30, I cried and asked why I didn’t just settle for that guy.
Sometimes I look back at those memories and can’t believe how much have changed since I finished my PhD in 2016! To all researchers, your innovative work may confuse laymen but keep going!
I am thankful to @STEMHub_ and proud of the work we are doing to impact our immediate communities and beyond. Thank you to our pool of volunteers and directors who continued to deliver impactful work! My life has a deeper meaning because of all we do impacting lives!
To every new Canadian immigrant trying to figure it out, this award is dedicated to you! Find a mentor if you need one. Network like your life depends on it. There is a reason why Canada chose you, it’s time to manifest your potential! I believe in you and I am rooting for you!
Keep going! Take up space! As far as you can see, you truly can possess! To my social media family, I know I can count of you! Thank you for voting!
