MOOSE JAW — When Bichu Sajeev applied to Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Civil Engineering Technology program from his hometown in Kerala, India, he had dreams of success and a better life in Canada. Like many students studying internationally, Sajeev felt prepared for challenges and knew he would have to work hard.
The young student arrived in Saskatchewan in August 2021 feeling excited and ready to take on his first term as a civil engineering technology student. “I had completed my diploma in this subject back home,” explains Sajeev, “though my previous program was considered equivalent to high school. I applied to Sask Polytech to earn the credential I need to work as a civil engineering technologist in Canada.”
Sajeev says he found Moose Jaw and the Sask Polytech campus warm and welcoming. “The people here are friendly and I found a good community,” he says, noting that he has made many friends, some he considers close and almost like family.
Arriving with previous education, Sajeev expected smooth academic sailing. He quickly learned, though, that he would need to adjust to different teaching and learning methods. “At first it was a little hard,” he admits. “I had a few difficulties and that wasn’t what I expected. I had to adapt and learn how to work in new ways.”
With help from his instructors and the international team at Moose Jaw campus, Sajeev discovered what he needed to do to improve. “Everyone was helpful and encouraging,” he says. “Sask Polytech instructors really care. They want us to succeed. My program gave me options and helped me to figure out what to do.”
Civil Engineering Technology is a 27-month program, with two co-operative education work terms. Sajeev’s academic challenges in his first year meant that he fell out of synch with his cohort. “In my first year I was the youngest student in my program,” he says. “I have kept in touch with the students I started with—they’re all doing really well!” In some ways, his experience in his first year hasn’t felt like a setback. He shares, “We’re a small group and one of the advantages of slowing down my program was getting to meet new people.”
In other ways, Sajeev’s differing pathway has posed challenges. International students who want to work in Canada while studying or apply for a post-graduate work permit must maintain a full-time course load, which has meant moving around classes to ensure he meets requirements. Dean Massier, program head for Civil Engineering Technology, explains that international students who end up out of sequence sometimes have to apply to extend their study permit. “It creates some challenges but we are committed to working with our students to help them meet expectations. Bichu has worked really hard and showed great perseverance. We want him to find success,” Massier says.
“Learning Services was also very helpful to me,” notes Sajeev. “I understood the concepts we were learning in my program but they were able to help me with my English and specific skills such as technical writing.”
Civil engineering technology students take common classes in their first two semesters, then choose either the construction or water resources option for their remaining academic terms. “I was interested in the water option,” says Sajeev, “but it has the reputation of being quite challenging and after my first year I wasn’t sure it was the right choice.” A classmate from his first cohort suggested that he talk to Brett Watson, senior hydrometics engineer at the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency. Watson previously instructed in the Civil Engineering Technologies program so was well-positioned to offer Sajeev guidance. He explains, “When Bichu reached out to me for advice about the program, I was able to tell him what working in the water resources sector entails and the potential jobs on offer.”
Sajeev recalls, “Brett was instrumental in helping me make the decision to pursue water resources. He sent me a long email dispelling concerns I had about going that route. In fact, he has become a mentor. When I undertook my capstone project this past year, Brett was very helpful with the water testing I was doing and provided excellent feedback.”
Watson is pleased to hear that Sajeev has had no regrets about his choice, saying, “I got the feeling that Bichu would find this area of study interesting and enjoyable. I was very happy when he decided to take the water resources option. He has shown perseverance and determination to get through the program and he thoroughly deserves all the success he has achieved.”
This spring, Sajeev was rewarded for the hard work he put into his capstone when he entered it in the Student Applied Research Showcase. His project received first prize in the Sustainability and Environment category, earning him $1,000. “One of the judges who evaluated my work showed great excitement about the potential it has for real-world application,” says Sajeev. “My project was a case study of well water treatment solutions in Baildon, where high levels of arsenic and lead make the water unusable for households. I came up with a potential solution to treat the water with a small and inexpensive purification system. It could feasibly be used in remote communities without access to clean drinking water.”
Sajeev has put aside exploration of that project as he completes his coursework but may pursue it further in the future. Currently, he is completing his second-last term and is focused on graduation. When Sajeev arrived in Canada, his vision of success and a better life weren’t yet fully formed. Now, his dream is more focussed. “My number one goal is to work for the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency,” he says. With every academic success, he is one step closer to launching his career as a civil engineering technologist in Canada and perhaps achieving that very goal.
For more information about Sask Polytech’s Civil Engineering Technology program, or studying as an international student, please visit our website: Civil Engineering Technologies (Civil Construction option or Water Resources option) (saskpolytech.ca) International Education (saskpolytech.ca)
— Submitted by Sask Polytech Media Relations
