Alumni community contributions
With more than 160,000 proud SFU graduates living in 143 countries, our engaged alumni are showing up in a number of inspiring ways during the COVID-19 pandemic, including generous donations to help students in need.
Learn about the urgent response fund →
The SFU Student Urgent Response Fund is available for students facing unexpected financial needs arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, see how some of our exceptional alumni are responding to the crisis below.
FHS Alumnus gives inside look at being a COVID-19 contract tracer
SFU masters of public health alumni, Matt Gill began his work as a contract tracer in Fall 2020 soon after his graduation. Discover his experience as a contract tracer amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the important do's and don'ts when it comes to being a contract tracer.
June 10, 2021, SFU Alumni
Founders of Intuitive AI and SFU Alumni develop workplace wellness and sanitization stations
SFU mechatronic alumni, Hassan Murad and Vivek Vyas, and their company Intuitive AI adapted to provide touch-less temperature readings and check-ins in the wake of COVID-19.
March 2, 2021, SFU Alumni
SFU alumnus talks navigating in a post-pandemic world, connecting virtually as the new reality
SFU alumnus Riaz Meghji says that the pandemic has turned bosses into broadcasters. The longtime radio and TV host recently chatted with BC Business to discuss his new book “Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships.” Meghji discusses human connection and shares insights into how to help businesses, leaders and employees navigate a post-pandemic world when connecting virtually has become the new reality.
February 4, 2021, SFU Alumni
International team develops advanced COVID-19 virtual reality training simulations
Post-doctorate researchers and graduates from Simon Fraser University's School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) and Virtro, a Vancouver-based tech company, are collaborating to develop virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) based training simulations with Australia's Monash University and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
September 24, 2020, SFU Alumni
SFU alumnus collaborates to create COVID-19-resistant products
For SFU alumnus Ravi Bansal-Beech, COVID-19 has been an opportunity to do what she does best—solve problems. Her line of business? High-end fixtures and sanitary ware for the plumbing industry. Bansal-Beech, co-founder and COO of Valley Acrylic Bath, has teamed up with engineering researchers at the University of Victoria to create COVID-19-resistant wash basins. This technological project aims to provide safer and more accessible hand washing in various public places throughout the province by developing an antiviral spray to coat surfaces.
August 4, 2020, SFU Alumni
Alumni @home series - Evan McCuish
Dr. Evan McCuish is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. He teaches undergraduate courses on psychological explanations of criminal behavior, young offenders, and serious and violent offenders. He is the Principal Investigator of the Incarcerated Serious and Violent Young Offenders Study, which is a longitudinal research project that examines the adult outcomes of serious and violent adolescent offenders.
To date, members of our community have generously donated $336,000 to the SFU Student Urgent Response Fund. The initiative, launched in early April, ensures students with the greatest need can quickly access financial assistance for day-to-day essentials such as rent, food and medications; technology equipment to complete virtual classes; or unexpected travel costs to reunite with family.
July 14, 2020, SFU Alumni
SFU alumnus’ nonprofit brings meals to 600 self-isolated seniors in the Downtown Eastside
Jenny Konkin, an SFU alumnus, is the president and co-founder of the Whole Way House Society, which works in partnership with BC Housing to provide community-building programs and tenant support services to vulnerable seniors and veterans living at the Veterans Manor in Vancouver.
July 6, 2020, SFU Alumni
Alumni @home series
SFU is taking a look into the lives of SFU’s alumni during the pandemic. Discover how alumni are navigating the challenges of remote work and physical distancing in this Q&A series.
June 17, 2020, SFU Alumni
Fusion Genomics: Using Next-Generation Sequencing for Early Virus Detection
SFU Innovates' VentureLabs talks to Mohammad Qadir, President & Chief Scientific Officer at Fusion Genomics, about their development of one of the world’s most advanced infectious diseases diagnostic platforms using next-generation sequencing.
June 2, 2020, VentureLabs
SFU alumnus Christina Wong’s charity answers the call for help from the Downtown Eastside
Christina Wong, a client of SFU’s Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection, is using her registered charity to help connect to people who are socially isolated living on the Downtown Eastside.
May 14, 2020, SFU News
Helping students thrive as SFU turns 55
The SFU Alumni Association extends a helping hand to current students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
May 5, 2020, Advancement and Alumni Engagement
SFU alumni contributing to fight against COVID-19
Hear from Eugene Suyu, co-founder and CEO of 3D printing firm Tinkerine, about how his company produced thousands of face shields, which guard against the transmission of the deadly novel coronavirus.
April 28, 2020, SFU News
Tips for staying sane from an SFU alumni
Hear from Erica Hakonson (MBA '13) of Maven Collective Marketing about coping strategies to help your manage during this pandemic.
April 10 2020, BC Business
Staying in with…Ken Lum
Hear from SFU alumnus Ken Lum (BGS '81; HDR '15), renowned creator of the sculpture, Monument for East Vancouver (2010), about how he’s spending his time at home during the COVID-19 crisis.
April 8, 2020, Vancouver Sun
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