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» Go to news mainMeet Emran Billah: A visionary engineer building a better world
Emran Billah received his electrical engineering degree from ±«Óătv in 2019, after completing a computer science degree at SMU, and immediately put his skills and knowledge to work to help build a better world.
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âI think we need to contribute at the professional level, economic level, personal and social levels. My ultimate goal is to be able to solve at least one of the biggest challenges in the world, be it poverty, be it corruption, we have hunger, whatever it isâ explains Billah.
After graduation, Billah co-founded and became Chief Technical Officer of Bluethumb Technologies â a fintech startup focused on socially innovative financial technologies. He also joined the team at Drinkable â a company that was based in the Emera ideaHUB on ±«Óătv Engineeringâs Sexton Campus, developing the worldâs firsthand held water purifying device. Access to safe drinking water is one of the many problems that Billah â the companyâs Lead Electrical & Software Engineer â is working to solve.
âEnsuring access to clean water has always been a passion close to my heart, stemming from my upbringing in Dhaka, Bangladesh,â explains Billah. Growing up in an environment where water pollution posed significant challenges, I personally experienced the impact of waterborne diseases. It's staggering to consider that one in three people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, with over 2 billion residing in water-stressed regions.âÌę
Crediting discipline and a healthy lifestyle that includes competitive weightlifting and circus training to keep his energy levels high, Billah also serves as Director of Software Engineering with Spiri Robotics based in Halifax. Through this work, he applies his technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to develop robotics technologies that aid in defence and environmental monitoring.
âContinuing to rely on conventional methods in the face of evolving challenges is a recipe for stagnation,â explains Billah. âWe must embrace innovation and fresh perspectives to chart a new course forward. By harnessing the power of creativity and ingenuity, we can pave the way for transformative solutions that address the complexities of our modern era. It's imperative that we adapt and innovate to confront the obstacles that stand in the way of progress.âÌę
To help foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and change-makers, Billah volunteers his time mentoring students, organizes hackathons, serves as the local lead in Nova Scotia for the NASA Space Apps Collective Cohort and is the Global Amplification Collaborator for the Space Apps Collective Cohort.Ìę
Named a âTop 30 Under 30 Innovatorâ by Atlantic Business Magazine, and a finalist in 2023 for both âRole Modelâ Digital Nova Scotia Tech Forward and âEmerging Professionalâ Discovery Awards, his efforts have not gone unnoticed as he inspires future engineers to grow the economy, create healthier communities and impact real change.Ìę
âInnovation thrives in an environment where collaboration and knowledge sharing are paramount. Investing in the growth of others is just as essential as honing one's own skill set,â says Billah. âBy nurturing a culture of mentorship and continuous learning, we lay the foundation for collective progress and drive innovation to new heights.â
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