“I get to meet and witness firsthand the strength, courage and resilience of our veterans,” says Shardul Dubey, BEng 16.
Ever since his time as a student at Concordia, Shardul Dubey, BEng 16, has made it a point to reach for new heights.
Dubey currently serves as an aerospace engineering officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. A trusted advisor to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense, he is also the founder of the Canadian chapter of Aviation Without Borders.
“If you do something, give it 100 per cent,” says the graduate of the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. “I try to make sure to be fully committed in my endeavours.”
Dubey, who was born and raised in India, says that one of the best aspects of his job is that he never gets bored.
“The learning never stops,” he says. “I have the flexibility to work in new locations, meet new people and work on different projects.
“There’s always a new challenge. That’s what motivates me.”
From cadet to Concordian
Dubey’s interest in military service began in India, where he was a member of the National Cadet Corps. After his family immigrated to Canada when he was 12, Dubey sought a similar opportunity in Montreal.
“I’ve always liked being in uniform and the discipline that it brings,” he says. “That’s why I joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.”
Dubey spent six years in the cadet program, obtained his pilot’s license and decided to pursue his love of aviation at Concordia.
The university’s Aerospace Engineering program has an outstanding reputation, he notes. The Gina Cody School also provided the flexibility for him to complete a full-time degree while he worked part-time at Altitude Aerospace, a component manufacturing company.
“After attending the first engineering classes at Concordia, I knew what kind of life I wanted,” says Dubey.
He singles out the dynamic teaching style of Chandra Asthana, in particular, but is quick to add that “every professor I had at Concordia was amazing and very helpful.”
After graduation, Dubey went on to assume a variety of roles with the Canadian Armed Forces. He has served as an aircraft maintenance officer on tactical helicopters, where he supported troop transportation, material logistics and rescue operations. He has also trained future aerospace engineers as an AERE instructor and course director for ammunitions and explosives.
His current position as a staff officer and military advisor to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Associate Minister of National Defense allows him to tour various bases across Canada.
“I provide a general overview of personnel and key issues so the minister is prepared before meeting a command team,” explains Dubey. “In my role, I also get to meet and witness firsthand the strength, courage and resilience of our veterans.”
‘My success belongs to my parents’
Dubey takes great pride in his role with the Canadian chapter of Aviation Without Borders. The charity offers humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in Canada and abroad.
“It’s a small team of dedicated people who love what they do,” he says. “We love the fact that we can use aviation technology to impact the lives of so many people and go to the most remote locations and provide help.”
A favourite activity is when he gets to take children with terminal illnesses on their first flight.
“That’s something that’s very near and dear to my heart,” he says.
When he reflects on his journey, Dubey remarks that the selfless decision his parents made to uproot and move to a new country ultimately allowed him to thrive.
“My success belongs to my parents, because without their support it would have been very tough,” he says. “Anything I’ve done in my life, I was able to achieve because we did it as a team.
“My career is our accomplishment. This is something I’m very proud of.”