Written by: Jenna Hobin
Through the generosity of Transoft Solutions, more Indigenous women pursuing post-secondary studies at Carleton will have access to financial support during their academic journey. As an organization that develops software to help professionals plan, design and operate safe transportation systems, Transoft Solutions has a central mission to give back to the community in impactful ways. Although their headquarters is located in Richmond, BC, their connection to Carleton is one that spans decades.
Milton Carrasco, CEO of Transoft Solutions, has been integral in supporting and expanding the Ugandan Asian Archives at Carleton—a collection of materials related to the displacement and resettlement of Ugandan Asian refugees during the Asian expulsion from Uganda. He is also a longtime industry colleague of Dr. Yasser Hassan, Professor in Transportation Engineering in Carleton’s Faculty of Engineering and Design. Daniel Shihundu, President of Transoft Solutions, shared that he first engaged with Carleton through Dr. Bashar Dhahir, Instructor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, to provide unique learning opportunities to students. Dr. Dhahir worked with Transoft Solutions to develop an innovative curriculum to apply their software in practical and case study-based designs for undergraduate and graduate courses.
Pictured above from Left to Right: Milton Carrasco, CEO of Transoft Solutions & Daniel Shihundu, President of Transoft Solutions
As one of their guiding principles, the organization strives to support emerging industry professionals all over the world by providing access to their software to post-secondary institutions at no cost. “As a business, one of our values is being compassionate. We are dealing with people all the time and when it comes to this idea of giving, our staff have been at the forefront of pushing us to do more for the communities we live and work in,” says Daniel Shihundu. With philanthropy at the core of the work they do, Transoft Solutions recently expanded their contributions to Carleton by establishing the Transoft Solutions Bursary—an annual award to support Indigenous women in any program of study. Their donation will be matched by the university, advancing Carleton’s commitment to Kinàmàgawin, Carleton’s Indigenous Strategy, and its 41 Calls to Action.
“This grassroots support we can provide to women is our desire to change the future, “says Milton Carrasco. “I strongly believe that if we all make these small charitable steps we can make giant leaps towards social justice.” As a grant recipient himself, Milton credits the financial support he received during his studies for getting him to where he is today and hopes it inspires recipients to make their own difference in the world. For Daniel Shihundu, he is proud to be part of an organization that believes in the power of teaching and learning to make an impact in the lives of individuals, especially from disadvantaged communities or groups. He recounted that the first time he had access to a computer was during his second year of undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering, which serves as his reminder of how far he has come. He shared words of encouragement with future recipients of the Transoft Solutions Bursary by saying, “Anything is possible. Stay humble, stay focused and stay hungry and open to learning new things.”
“For students in need of financial support, receiving an award like the Transoft Solutions Bursary can be the difference between pausing or continuing their post-secondary studies.” Says Kahente Horn-Miller, Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives) and Associate Professor in Carleton’s School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies. “On behalf of Carleton, we would like to extend our gratitude to Transoft Solutions for their partnership and for helping to remove barriers for Indigenous women pursuing higher education.”
At the Hub for Good, read more partnership stories, explore opportunities to get involved and learn how Carleton University makes an impact around the world.