Abrar Mahir is a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of British Columbia with a passion for aerospace, automotive innovation, and community impact. Originally from Bangladesh, Abrar is the recipient of the UBC Major Entrance Scholarship, Outstanding International Student Award, Dr. Spiro Engineering Memorial Award, and Provost’s Award for Teaching Assistants & Tutors. His diverse experience spans stratospheric flight systems, EV motorsports design, control systems, and ceramic research for space and defense applications. As a student leader, researcher, and artist, Abrar blends technical skill with creative thinking to push the boundaries of engineering innovation.
Abrar in front of his Capstone project board.
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate with a passion for design-driven innovation in the aerospace and automotive sectors. I was born and raised in Bangladesh, where my love for engineering began with a self-initiated 8-foot humanoid robot project in high school. That early experience with hands-on building, teamwork, and resourcefulness still shapes how I approach engineering today. Outside of academics, I am the technical director of UBCO Stratoneers, a tutor at the Student Learning Hub, owner of a small art business, and a proud member of UBCO Motorsports.
What drew you to UBC Okanagan and the School of Engineering?
UBC Okanagan’s promise of a close-knit, supportive environment with access to world-class research and mentorship is what first attracted me. The chance to grow in a community where I wouldn’t just be a number, but an active contributor, was important to me. UBCO’s strong co-op program, student-led research opportunities, and vibrant culture of innovation made it a perfect fit.
I also want to share that during very tough financial periods due to COVID, I came very close to giving up my dream of studying abroad. But this education and degree were only possible because of the major scholarships from UBC, which I was honored and deeply grateful to receive.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your time at UBCO?
The most rewarding aspect of my time at UBCO has to be my experience with UBCO Motorsports. The opportunity to build a racecar and see it evolve from a concept into a fully functional machine was incredibly fulfilling. As I progressed from designing steering systems to leading the EV accumulator mechanical team, I grew not just as an engineer but also as a leader and mentor. Collaborating with a passionate team under tight deadlines, learning from our mistakes, and watching our vehicle hit the track brought a level of satisfaction that’s hard to match. It was the perfect blend of challenge, creativity, and teamwork.
What role did community—classmates, mentors, or campus life—play in your journey?
Community played a pivotal role in shaping my UBCO experience. Whether it was collaborating with classmates on complex projects, staying late in the machine shop with the Motorsports team, or receiving guidance from professors who believed in my potential, I was constantly supported by people who pushed me to grow. The learning opportunity I had working under Dr. Holzman was also a priceless experience. I also had the chance to give back through tutoring and outreach programs, which helped me build deeper connections across campus. UBCO’s tight-knit environment made it easy to form meaningful relationships that turned into mentorships, friendships, and lifelong memories. It truly felt like being part of a family that wanted to see each other succeed.
UBCO’s tight-knit environment made it easy to form meaningful relationships that turned into mentorships, friendships, and lifelong memories. It truly felt like being part of a family that wanted to see each other succeed.
Did you participate in co-op, undergraduate research, or other hands-on experiences? How did they shape your path?
Hands-on experience has definitely been central to my journey at UBCO. I participated in multiple research placements, including with Dr. Bichler, Dr. Holzman, and Dr. Klaske’s research groups. I also co-founded and led the UBCO Stratoneers in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency, launching three successful stratospheric payloads. UBCO Motorsports has also been a defining experience, where I progressed from designing steering systems to leading the mechanical design of our first EV battery accumulator system. These experiences taught me how to translate ideas into real-world systems, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and lead under pressure—lessons that have been crucial in shaping both my technical skills and long-term goals.
There is no doubt that as the Convocation Speaker of your graduating class you dedicated a lot of time and hard work to your academics and beyond! Can you talk about a moment when you were really challenged academically—and how you overcame it?
One of the most challenging academic moments I faced was during my fourth-year Finite Element Methods course, where we were tasked with analyzing truss systems. I decided to go beyond the assignment and build a fully functional truss analysis app with a graphical user interface (GUI) and animated results. The only problem was, I had no experience with GUI development and limited knowledge of MATLAB beyond basic plotting. It was a steep learning curve, and I remember spending most of reading break debugging code and watching tutorials.
What helped me push through was breaking the problem down piece by piece, asking for feedback from classmates, and leaning on what I had learned during my summer research experiences. In the end, not only did the app work—it became one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever done, blending engineering with user-focused design. That challenge taught me that stepping out of my comfort zone, even when things feel overwhelming, is often where the biggest growth happens.
Can you tell us about a particular project, professor or course that had a lasting impact on you? Why?
Dr. Jonathan Holzman and my capstone project had a profound impact on both my academic and personal development. Under his mentorship, I led a team of engineering students to develop an optical laser communication system for microsatellites and stratospheric balloons. The goal was to set a foundation for a high-speed, secure alternative to traditional RF systems by establishing a precise laser link between a moving payload and a ground station. It was one of the most technically challenging projects I’ve worked on—we had to integrate mechanical, optical, and control systems, all while complying with aerospace regulations and strict safety protocols.
Dr. Holzman’s guidance went far beyond technical advice. He challenged us to question our assumptions, think like systems engineers, and keep pushing even when things didn’t work the first—or the fifth—time. His support gave me the confidence to take on risk, lead a multidisciplinary team, and innovate in a field I hope to pursue professionally. The experience cemented my passion for aerospace research and showed me how academic mentorship can truly shape the trajectory of a student’s life.
Tell us a bit about your plans after graduation.
I am currently working at Crown West Steel Fabricators in the quality engineering team as a production assistant. I started working four days after my last exam and it has been an amazing experience so far. I’m excited to see what the future holds.
How did the Bachelor of Applied Science program prepare you for your current/future work?
The Bachelor of Applied Science program provided me with a strong foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for engineering. Through hands-on projects, collaborative teamwork, and exposure to industry standards, I developed critical problem-solving abilities and technical expertise. This preparation has been invaluable in my current role, enabling me to contribute effectively to quality engineering processes and confidently tackle challenges. The opportunity to learn and be familiar with manufacturing processes through UBCO Motorsports throughout my degree was also pivotal in securing my current job.
Abrar with his Okanagan Motorsports team.
How has Engineering changed your view on the world?
Engineering has fundamentally reshaped how I see the world—not just as a place of challenges, but as a landscape of solvable problems. Before studying engineering, I viewed complex systems—like satellites, vehicles, or energy grids—as distant and inaccessible. But through hands-on experience in motorsports, stratospheric flight research, and control systems, I’ve come to realize that these technologies are built by people just like us, with teamwork, curiosity, and persistence.
This shift in mindset has made me more analytical and solution-driven in everyday life. Whether it’s designing an EV battery system or optimizing energy efficiency on a campus scale, I now approach problems by breaking them down, prototyping ideas, and iterating toward improvement. Engineering hasn’t just taught me how things work—it’s given me the confidence to believe that I can contribute to how they should work in the future.
How do you think the UBCO engineering program prepares students to address global challenges?
The UBCO engineering program prepares students to address global challenges by blending rigorous academics with meaningful, hands-on opportunities to solve real-world problems. From day one, we’re encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary projects, whether through research labs, co-ops, or student-led teams like UBCO Motorsports or the Stratoneers. My involvement in designing stratospheric payloads for the Canadian Space Agency and developing an energy optimization system for campus heating directly connected my classroom learning to real sustainability and aerospace challenges.
Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes systems thinking, collaboration, and community outreach. Through experiences like leading a high school STEM camp or mentoring other engineering students, I’ve learned how engineering solutions must be inclusive, scalable, and grounded in social responsibility. UBCO doesn’t just train students to be engineers—it trains us to be problem-solvers for a rapidly changing world.
UBCO doesn’t just train students to be engineers—it trains us to be problem-solvers for a rapidly changing world.
In 5 words or less, how would you sum up the UBCO / School of Engineering experience?
Changed and saved my life.
Looking back, what surprised you the most about your university experience?
Looking back, what surprised me the most about my university experience was how quickly UBCO became a place where I felt I belonged. As an international student, I came in worried about whether I’d fit in or feel welcome so far from home. But those concerns faded almost immediately. The UBCO community was incredibly open and supportive. I found myself surrounded by people who celebrated diversity and genuinely wanted to help each other grow. That sense of belonging gave me the confidence to take on leadership roles, join engineering teams, and make the most of every opportunity here. What I thought would be my biggest challenge ended up being one of my greatest comforts.
What advice do you have for future / current engineering students?
Don’t be afraid to dive in, especially when you feel unprepared. Some of my most rewarding experiences came from saying yes before I felt “ready,” whether it was leading a research team, designing our Formula EV battery pack, or teaching myself MATLAB GUI development over a long weekend. Engineering is less about having all the answers and more about learning how to find them.
Engineering is less about having all the answers and more about learning how to find them.
Also, take full advantage of everything outside the classroom. Join a design team, talk to your professors, apply for research roles—even the ones that seem out of reach. UBCO gives you incredible access to hands-on learning, and that’s where you really grow. And finally, remember to support others and ask for help when you need it. Engineering is hard, but it’s a lot easier when you’re not doing it alone.
Anything else you’d like to share about your UBCO Engineering journey?
More than anything, I just feel incredibly grateful. Grateful for the people, the opportunities, and the sense of belonging I found at UBCO. When I first arrived, everything felt new and uncertain, but over time, this campus became a second home. I’ve grown not just as an engineer, but as a person—learning to lead, to collaborate, and to believe in myself.
What stands out most to me now isn’t any one project or course—it’s the countless small moments of support, encouragement, and growth that added up to something truly transformative. I’ll always be thankful for the professors who believed in me, the friends who stood by me, and the community that welcomed me with open arms. UBCO will always be a part of who I am.