@kelvinlui

passion

My current interests revolve around these areas:

  • International Development – the role of technology within ID
  • Non-Profit Organizations – challenges faced by organizations in this sector around management and operations
  • Technology in the Social Sector – this is broad…still trying to explore this area

I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with a few amazing organizations during my university career which reflects some my interest above.  My time with them has allowed me to enrich my technical education with leadership and life-skills development.  Below is a highlight of my experiences.

Endeavour (Formally known as Endeavour Volunteer Consulting for Non-Profits)

Endeavour is a non-profit organization that provides management consulting for non-profit groups that cannot afford professional consulting.  Consisted of all volunteers (most of them working professionals), they offer services in these 4 areas:

  • Corporate strategy
  • Operations strategy
  • Marketing strategy
  • Organizational strategy

I have been involved with Endeavour as a Volunteer Consultant from 2007 to 2009 in 3 past projects: an ethnic community group start-up, a youth cabinet, and a community engagement center.  As I have been the youngest member of the team usually, it has been an incredible learning experience as the more experienced member are more than happy to coach and guide me.

Engineering Science Leadership Working Group – Leaders of Tomorrow

The mission of the Engineering Science: Leaders of Tomorrow Working Group (LWG) is to provide Engineering Science students with the skills and knowledge to become effective transformational leaders, wherever they find themselves, by:

  • Developing and providing specific programming to teach leadership theory and skills in a manner which complements the Engineering Science curriculum, in collaboration with the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Leaders of Tomorrow group.
  • Providing access and directing Engineering Science students to other resources for furthering their own leadership development.
  • Instilling in Engineering Science students an appreciation for the value of transformational leadership, and a desire to develop their own leadership abilities.

I have been involved with the LWG since it’s inception in 2007 and have been once involved with the planningof the partnership event event between EWB and LWG during the annual 1st-year Engineering Science student orientation event.

Engineers Without Borders Canada (EWB) – University of Toronto Chapter

Engineers Without Borders is a fast-growing and critical thinking group of young leaders from all across Canada. While EWB initially focused on “access to appropriate technology”, with experience and understanding, this has shifted to create positive change for those living in extreme poverty through a variety of method beyond “just” technology. Through a strong combination of work both in Africa and Canada, EWB aims to develop future leaders to achieve the following outcomes:

  1. Engaging Canadians to Contribute and Connect to Africa
  2. Helping the engineering profession serve global society
  3. Supporting Rural African Capacity
  4. Advocating for improved Canadian policies towards Africa

EWB – University of Toronto Chapter is one of 30 chapters from across the country.

I was fortunate enough to serve the organization as an executive over the past 5 years in the following areas :

  • Communications Improvement
  • Faculty Relations
  • Finance
  • Fundraising
  • High School Outreach Presentation
  • Outreach Event Planning
  • Webmaster

HiSkule [sic] Outreach Committee – Engineering Student Society (Skule [sic])

The HiSkule Outreach Committee is the outreach arm of the University of Toronto’s Engineering Society to promote the image of the Engineering study and profession to the general public.  In addition, it aims to relay the importance of science and math subjects to highschool students.

I served as the Director of HiSkule Outreach and have planned a few outreach events over the years mainly to elementary school or prospective engineering students.

the name

This page is titled as such to remind myself of the passion that I have witnessed from my friends in the above organizations.  All of these groups are public serving organizations driven by volunteers (many of them students), who put in up to 20 hours/week to ultimately make their local community a better place.  Although my own passion and dedication to drive social change pales in comparison to those of my friends in these organizations, I am constantly inspired by their efforts and ingenuity.