Alumni Digest / U of T / Ideas /
Ridwan Iqbal makes room for others
The environmental management and economics graduate paired sustainability work with residence programs that helped students feel at home far from family.
Ridwan Iqbal studied environmental management and economics at U of T Mississauga.Photo: U of T Alumni News
The context
Where the work begins
Ridwan Iqbal travelled from Brunei to study environmental management at U of T Mississauga. A land acknowledgement at residence orientation prompted him to think about his responsibilities to the place where he would study. He became a sustainability ambassador and food bank volunteer, later adding economics as a second major.
The takeaway
What follows
Residence became another part of his education. Iqbal helped first-year students adjust and organized a Thanksgiving potluck with his roommate for those staying on campus. Students brought food from their cultures and shared the holiday together. In his final year, he helped run practical classes on cooking, sewing and other everyday skills.
Source reporting
Ridwan Iqbal makes room for others
Original summary by Alumni Digest, based on public source reporting. This independent publication is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Toronto. Source image retained for editorial review; rights clearance is still required before any broader reuse.
