Ana travelled from the Philippines to pursue the Master of Business Administration at UCW. She graduated from the program with a 4.11 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
Congratulations
Class of 2025
Congratulations to each of you, and to your family and friends who are celebrating with you.
You are part of a large graduating class – approximately 4,400 of you from diverse backgrounds from almost 80 countries.
Every graduating year faces is own challenges. This year many parts of the world are in conflict – which have ripple effects on world trade and business. And at the same time the United States is trying to dramatically change international trading rules.
Against these events is the increasing challenge of AI – AI is already having a profound effect upon business processes and creates huge opportunities for you with your business degree.
Your UCW learning will help you meet these challenges.
Remember your time at UCW. Remember the professors who taught and guided you. Remember the friends you made and studied with.
Today is the closing of one chapter in your life and the opening of another one.
Toss your caps!
Chancellor’s Message to the Class of 2025
Chancellor, University Canada West
Mitchell Gropper, KC
Congratulations class of 2025! Your convocation day is designed to mark the completion of your studies and recognize everything you’ve achieved so far.
President's Message
I am delighted to be celebrating this day with you, alongside your family, friends and loved ones from around the world. You’ve reached an important milestone and should feel immensely proud.
As you step into the next chapter of your lives, your critical thinking and ability to innovate will empower you to face challenges, find solutions and help shape the world for future generations. As UCW graduates, you will always be champions of human understanding and ingenuity, of exploring, discovering and elevating yourselves and others.
Whether you’re entering the workforce, pursuing further studies, or embarking on new adventures, we encourage you to embrace your passions, stay curious and remain resilient. As alumni, you will always be an integral part of our university community. We will always be here for you, celebrating every success and taking enormous pride in the change you bring about in business and society.
Congratulations once again, and best wishes for a prosperous and
fulfilling future.
President & Vice-Chancellor,
University Canada West
Dr. Bashir Makhoul
Cris de los Santos Andalis is UCW’s Spring 2025 valedictorian after graduating from the MBA program with a 4.07 CGPA.
Valedictorian
Cris was born and raised in the Philippines along with three siblings. His mother was a retired public school supervisor and his dad was a self-employed jeepney driver and public servant.
Cris graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the Asia Pacific College, Makati City Philippines.
He fulfilled various roles in banking, property management and customer service in Singapore and was a member of the Filipino Voice Symphony Choir that raised money to send under-privileged children to school.
He wanted additional post-secondary education and chose to pursue an MBA far from family and friends at UCW.
Cris was an active member of the UCW Community and was involved with UCW’s Filipino Student Association and volunteered during New Student Orientation in various roles. He volunteered for the Peer2Peer Program, where he served as a Peer Leader. He was later promoted to Senior Peer Leader and earned UCW’s Spotlight Award.
Cris currently works at Scotiabank as a Customer Experience Associate and was the recipient of Scotiabank’s Best of the Best Award in 2024 for being a part of the top performing team in the BC & Yukon Region.
Despite his academic accomplishments, his learning is not yet done. He is working towards earning his Canadian securities certification to help people fulfil their financial goals. In addition, Cris would like to follow in his mother’s footsteps and become a teacher so he can inspire students like his UCW professors inspired him.
In his leisure time, he loves making music, playing the piano, singing and writing songs.
While busy with his professional and personal endeavours, he continues to find time volunteer to give back to his community.
Cris volunteers as the pianist for the 1 pm Choir in St. Mary’s Parish and recently played the piano for the launch of Project Advance, the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s annual fundraising appeal to support vital ministries, outreach programs and parish development.
Valedictorian
Cris de los Santos Andalis
Each year, UCW recognizes graduating students who have a record of exceptional academic achievement over the duration of their studies.
Medals for Academic Excellence
The Medal for Academic Excellence is one of the highest recognitions of academic excellence presented to UCW students.
Dewanshi came from India to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree at UCW. She graduated from the program with a 3.88 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
Vimasha came from Sri Lanka to pursue an Associate of Arts degree at UCW. She completed the program with a 4.02 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
Cristian ventured from Argentina to study UCW’s Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication program. He graduated with a 4.01 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
UCW established the Teaching and Learning Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding faculty and staff.
Teaching & Learning Excellence Awards
Dr. Hamed Taherdoost is the recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award at UCW’s Spring 2025 Convocation.
Dr. Taherdoost has been lauded for consistent community endorsements, course evaluations and student feedback that characterize him as a devoted educator committed to promoting critical thinking, fostering an inclusive learning environment and implementing innovative teaching methods.
His students have noted his ability to inspire them with his life experiences, providing guidance and mentorship both in and out of the classroom.
They have noted his genuine concern for their professional and academic growth. His peers have highlighted how he has empowered students to excel academically and pursue their career aspirations.
His teaching philosophy is based on “three core principles: student engagement, industry alignment and continuous innovation.”
Dr. Taherdoost considers one of the most “impactful” parts of his teaching being the “gamification of lectures” and integrating live business practices.
He also has as a prolific publishing record, with over 350 scientific articles in top-tier journals and conference proceedings and has organized and chaired many workshops and conferences and has frequently been invited as a keynote speaker.
In addition to his teaching excellence, Dr. Taherdoost is recognized as an outstanding researcher and collaborator, significantly contributing to academic endeavors at UCW.
Victor Ba Nyar Naing is the recipient of the Sessional Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award.
Victor’s teaching is distinguished by an exceptional combination of innovation, student-centered focus and a commitment to real-world application.
In fostering a learning environment built on inclusion and critical thinking, Victor ensures that students from all backgrounds feel supported and empowered. His students frequently commend him for his thoughtful guidance and his ability to adapt coursework based on their feedback, making them active participants in their educational journey.
During his seven years at UCW, Victor has “been driven by a single purpose: to make a meaningful difference in the UCW community and to create positive impacts in students’ lives.”
Victor believes that each student has an “inherent desire to acquire new knowledge.”
Victor Ba Nyar Naing’s unwavering dedication to student success, his innovative approach to teaching and his profound impact on the UCW community make him an exemplary recipient of this award.
Dr. Mohsen Saeedi is the first-ever recipient of our Sustained Research Excellence Award.
Dr. Saeedi’s research is distinguished by an exceptional combination of breadth of innovation and a commitment to real-world application. His groundbreaking work on sustainability, for example, has attracted wide recognition.
Dr. Saeedi’s work involves researchers and students from other top universities. This allows him to mentor and guide the next generation of scholars as they begin their research journey.
Dr. Mohsen Saeedi has a PhD in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of British Columbia and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Tehran. He earned an MSc in Civil (Environmental) Engineering and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology.
In his 18 years of teaching, he has taught graduate level courses in the Department of Marketing, Strategy and Entrepreneurship in the MBA program at University Canada West.
Additionally, he has authored and published more than 80 refereed research journal articles, presented over 50 conference proceedings and authored two books
Dr. Saeedi’s unwavering dedication to research of the highest calibre and his profound impact on the UCW community make him an exemplary recipient of this award.
Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award Recipient
Dr. Hamed Taherdoost
Sessional Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award Recipient
Victor Ba Nyar Naing
Sustained Research Excellence Award Recipient
Dr. Mohsen Saeedi
Community advocate William P.J. McCarthy O.B.C., is receiving an Honorary Doctorate from UCW.
Honorary Doctorates
Conservationist George C. Reifel O.B.C., MGC, MBA, BCom is receiving an Honorary Doctorate from UCW.
William P.J. McCarthy O.B.C., is a leading real estate expert, philanthropist and community advocate whose lifelong commitment to “Work hard, live well, give back”—a motto passed down from his grandfather—has guided decades of impact across British Columbia.
Mr. McCarthy has leveraged his real estate expertise to support community and healthcare initiatives across the province, particularly in his home city of Burnaby. As a private real estate developer and consultant, approximately one-third of his time is committed to pro bono real estate and business consulting. He currently holds nine university degrees and 10 professional designations. He has been peer elected to lead real estate organizations from the local to the international level.
His transformative contributions to the BC Cancer and Burnaby Hospital Foundations have revolutionized healthcare in the region. Mr. McCarthy’s historic $21.4 million Jambor-McCarthy Legacy, at the time the largest single-beneficiary bequest in BC’s history, alongside his personal donations and advocacy, have profoundly advanced cancer research and patient care throughout the entire province. In recognition of this and continued giving and support the new BC Cancer–Burnaby McCarthy Centre will bear his name, the first such honour for a donor. Mr. McCarthy’s community engagement and leadership has been pivotal, including most recently chairing the Burnaby Regional Hospital redevelopment Capital Campaign.
A long-standing supporter of First Nations art and culture, Mr. McCarthy empowers artists and fosters reconciliation through frequent commissions and gifting plans. A world renowned real estate expert and practitioner, he has continuously strengthened local communities through his work in real estate and philanthropy. From his recent $5 million gift establishing the BC Cancer-Burnaby McCarthy Centre to his tireless support of countless community initiatives both big and small, William’s unwavering commitment to giving back has improved countless lives, making BC. a better place for generations to come.
In 2024, Mr. McCarthy was appointed to the Order of British Columbia (O.B.C.)
Mr. McCarty will receive a Doctor of Laws degree during UCW’s Spring 2025 Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, May 27.
Honorary Doctorate Recipient
William P.J. McCarthy O.B.C.
George Conrad Reifel O.B.C., is a third-generation business leader and conservationist from British Columbia whose lifelong commitment to preserving natural ecosystems has left an indelible mark across North America. Growing up on his family’s farm—now part of the internationally recognized George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary—he has carried forward a family legacy of environmental stewardship.
As Ducks Unlimited Canada’s longest-serving director, including an unprecedented three-year term as national president, Mr. Reifel has helped lead landmark conservation initiatives that span Canada, the United States, and Mexico—securing, enhancing, and managing critical wetlands for migratory waterfowl and biodiversity. In 1991, he was founding director of the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, reinforcing his belief in science-based conservation.
Mr. Reifel has also served as a director and advisory council member of The Nature Trust of British Columbia, where he has helped secure ecologically significant properties across the province. He is a director and director emeritus of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, where his advocacy has advanced the restoration of wild Pacific salmon and freshwater ecosystems in BC and the Yukon.
For 45 years, he has been an active director of the BC Waterfowl Society, stewarding the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary — a haven for over 300 bird species and a destination for nearly 100,000 annual visitors. He has emphasized public education and youth engagement, launching programs at Ducks Unlimited Canada and mentoring emerging conservation leaders.
In recognition of his decades of impact, Mr. Reifel was awarded the BC Medal of Good Citizenship in 2021, and in 2023, he was appointed to the Order of British Columbia (O.B.C.), the province’s highest honour. Through advocacy, land protection and leadership, he continues to inspire the next generation to safeguard our natural world.
Mr. Reifel will receive a Doctor of Laws degree during UCW’s Spring 2025 Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, May 29.
Honorary Doctorate Recipient
George C. Reifel O.B.C., MGC, MBA, BCom
Convocation robes feature crest designed by Bambi Smith
In Fall 2024, University Canada West commissioned Indigenous artist Bambi Smith to create a new crest for the robes worn by the platform party at Convocation. The crest features a raven and the moon. The raven represents transformation, creation, wisdom and knowledge. The moon appears in the mythology of all Northwest Coast nations — it is a guide and protector.
Bambi was also commissioned to create a 24-inch yellow cedar carving to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UCW. The carving includes imagery of salmon, the moon and a human face. Bambi described her work as the Symbol of Life. She carved it in a circle to represent the cycle of life and as a reminder to keep moving forward and to keep reaching for our goals.
Bambi is part of the Cowichan First Nations of the Coast Salish region. The carving Bambi created is on display at Vancouver House Campus.
Students for a short time, alumni for life.
Join your global alumni network at alumni.myucwest.ca
We acknowledge that the territories on which UCW and its campuses are situated are the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Sel̓íl̓witulh/səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We thank them for having cared for this land since time immemorial, honour their graciousness to the students who seek knowledge here, and iterate our dedication to valuing the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples and communities.