Sheridan Student is Canada’s Co-op Student of the Year

For the first time in college history, a Sheridan student has been named the Canadian Association for Co-op Education (CAFCE) Co-op Student of the Year.

For the first time in college history, a Sheridan student has been named the Canadian Association for Co-op Education (CAFCE) Co-op Student of the Year. The award is given annually to one college and one university student in the country, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their employer, co-op education and the community at large.

Mahfuz Chowdhury, a student in Sheridan’s three-year Business Diploma program was the architect of his own co-op position. Recognizing the revolution happening with social media, he sought a connection with Darrell Keezer, President of Mississauga-based Candybox Marketing, a digital media marketing firm that was founded by a fellow Sheridan business school alumnus. “I was so impressed by Mahfuz’s initiative, enthusiasm and energy, that I created the position to give him a chance,” says Keezer.

Chowdhury completed two work terms at Candybox, during which time he doubled attendance in the company’s social media workshops, acquired more than 1,000 followers for Candybox’s own Facebook and Twitter accounts and worked to convert regular website visitors to corporate clients. Keezer hired Chowdhury on a part time basis between his co-op terms and offered him a full time position that took effect after Chowdhury finished his coursework in December, 2012.

During the summer of 2011, Chowdhury launched his own organization, Project Reinvention to encourage students to recognize and overcome their limitations instead of using them as excuses or barriers to achievement. He founded the initiative after realizing that his own shortcomings were causing disappointment to his parents, who moved their family from Saudi Arabia to Mississauga in search of educational excellence for their son. To promote the effort, Chowdhury worked with fellow students he met in Sheridan’s Illustration, Computer System Analysis and Theatre Performance programs. He has since shared his inspirational talk with students at Ryerson, York and McGill, reminding anyone who will listen that “it only takes one season to change your life from tragic to magic.”

At Sheridan, Chowdhury has helped to promote co-op programs to prospective students through campus tours and open house events. He also participated in the launch of ENACTUS, a club that connects students and academics with opportunities to use entrepreneurial action to solve social challenges. Chowdhury was the club’s first keynote speaker, teaching students to use Facebook to grow businesses.

Sheridan College is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions, offering over 100 diploma, certificate, and bachelor degree programs in an environment that fosters innovation and creativity. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the Faculty of Business across Sheridan’s three campuses. Graduates of the Faculty leave Sheridan well positioned for career success in marketing, advertising, accounting, finance, travel and tourism, project management, human resources, and international business.

For more information, please contact:

Christine Szustaczek, Director of Corporate Communications & External Relations
Tel: 905-815-4169
Email: christine.szustaczek@sheridancollege.ca