Zakiya Abdulaziz recently graduated from the UBC Sauder School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce. During her undergraduate degree, she was honoured with the Trek Excellence, William Bruce Longon and Bennet of Doige Memorial Scholarships. Throughout her studies she continued her humanitarian efforts with Muslim Food Bank and Community Services and participated in UBC’s chapter of Amnesty Internal. In the fall, Zakiya will be attending UBC’s Peter A. Allard School of Law.
The Muslim Food Bank and Community Services is an organization that Zakiya has worked with since her early high school years. In high school she assisted with the organization’s hamper distribution and has enjoyed growing within the organization since then. She has been heavily involved with ASPIRE, a branch of the Muslim Food Bank and Community Services that focuses on fulfilling the needs of Muslim women. After training under a trauma informed lens, Zakiya was able to work one-on-one with clients, assessing situations and providing access to services and much needed resources to get the women and their families through difficult times. Being able to see the impact of her work on a personal level was incredibly rewarding for her. Zakiya also reflects fondly on her participation in Amnesty International and hopes to continue her involvement in the program as it piques her interest in human rights and international law. She is proud to have forged connections and built friendships through her humanitarian efforts that will last a lifetime.
From a young age, Zakiya has known that she wanted to pursue a career in law and feels excited and blessed to be starting her next chapter of studies as a student at UBC’s school of law. She is confident and driven in her goals and vision for the future. She is already exploring internships and study abroad options and is working part-time this summer to support her financial obligations as she prepares for law school. Aside from her part-time job, she is spending the summer with friends, family and her elderly grandparents, who she wants to enjoy as much time with while she can.
The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award has allowed Zakiya to focus on her studies and humanitarian efforts. She feels incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity through the program and believes the funding allowed her to get the grades needed to gain entrance into her law school of choice. Her advice to current recipients is to take advantage of all the opportunities that are presented to them and stay open-minded.
2019 Recipient Biography
Zakiya Abdulaziz
Zakiya has served as the President of Student Council, Kindlers Society, and Griffins That Give. Visiting relatives in her home country, she has seen the lack of opportunities and resources in rural areas for children’s education, which prompted her to found a club promoting literacy in developing countries. Zakiya is also an avid volunteer at the Muslim food bank, working with Syrian refugees, advocating for single mothers and the elderly, and fundraising for those who are less fortunate. She hopes to pursue a career in law, advocating for global human rights and justice.