Community 

Roots & Routes: Navigating Immigration Pathways

A conference room with a large screen showing the logo and message of empowering Bangladeshis worldwide, with diverse people on the screen and text indicating Bangladesh, Canada, UK, and USA. There are several people seated at tables, listening to a panel of speakers at the front.

Impact

  • 20 attendees

  • February 25, 2025

  • SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Toronto, Canada

Impact
Overview

A panel engaged with the audience on immigration challenges for international students, covering employment, finance, policy, and support networks to promote inclusivity.

Our partners

GLOCAL Foundation of Canada logo with a purple network globe and blue text.
Logo for 'Those Guys Burgers and Chicken' featuring a red and white circular design with the initials 'T G' in the center.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a dark blazer and light pants, sitting and speaking into a microphone during a discussion or interview, with blurred person in the foreground.

A woman with dark hair, wearing a dark blazer and light pants, sitting and speaking into a microphone during a discussion or interview, with blurred person in the foreground.

People sitting and standing in a dimly lit conference room or event space with wooden flooring and black walls.

People sitting and standing in a dimly lit conference room or event space with wooden flooring and black walls.

Man with glasses speaking into a microphone at a table with pastries, surrounded by attentive people in a dark conference room.

Man with glasses speaking into a microphone at a table with pastries, surrounded by attentive people in a dark conference room.

A conference room with a panel of speakers and an audience listening to a presentation on finance about strategies to balance tuition, rent, and expenses.

A conference room with a panel of speakers and an audience listening to a presentation on finance about strategies to balance tuition, rent, and expenses.

Speakers

  • Sharmin Leena Rahman – An immigration lawyer with over 10 years of experience, Sharmin advises corporate and individual clients at BDO Law LLP. She is an advocate for immigration reform and equity in policy through the Canadian Bar Association.

  • Maisa Hossain – A Strategy Advisor at PACE Technical, Maisa specializes in IT consulting and financial efficiency. With experience in sales, customer success, and financial strategy, she helps businesses optimize technology solutions.

  • Sharon Chakkalackal – A Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Sharon focuses on mental health, developmental disabilities, and immigrant health. With a background in public health and social policy, she works to improve access to healthcare and social services for marginalized communities.

Project Team

  • Sreya Tahsin, Youth Program Manager, BacharLorai

  • Aftab Ahmed, Trustee and Director of Policy Research, BacharLorai

  • Apanuba Puhama, Content Lead, BacharLorai

  • Azkka Noor, Outreach Lead, BacharLorai

SDG Alignment

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 icon for quality education, featuring an open book and a pencil on a red background.

Target 4.4
Increasing the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

Target 4.3
Ensuring equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.

Context

Our discussion on immigration challenges for international students brought together experts in immigration law, employment, finance, and policy, all committed to fostering inclusivity and support. With over 20 attendees, the session provided valuable guidance on work permits, financial planning, and mental health resources. Survey results showed a significant increase in confidence when accessing immigration support in Canada, with the percentage of respondents rating themselves as 'very confident' rising from 15.4% before the session to 53.8% afterward. Many attendees, both in person and through surveys, expressed strong appreciation and emphasized the need for more sessions like this. Survey results showed a 31% increase in attendees who felt strongly confident in their professional writing abilities after the workshop.