Children’s book about building bridges sparked a lifelong interest — and career direction

The gift of a children’s book about bridges was the spark that ignited Ishpreet Kapoor’s love for engineering.

Bridges are to Cross by Philemon Sturges made the Schulich School of Engineering master’s student curious about the world around him.

He wanted to know more about how iconic structures in his home country of India, and then beyond those borders, were designed and built.

His curiosity and passion, combined with knowing there is a severe shortage of qualified bridge engineers, gave Kapoor the motivation he needed to become a civil engineer.

His passion has led him to receiving two prestigious awards: the CSA Group Graduate Scholarship Award and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction’s G.L. Kulak Scholarship for Steel Structures Research.

“These scholarships will allow me to collaborate with industry stakeholders directly and bring a meaningful contribution to the construction industry at large,” Kapoor says. “They represent a recognition of my dedication to structural engineering and are incredibly motivating.”

Wanting a global experience

After graduating from high school, Kapoor enrolled in a fully funded engineering undergraduate program at Panjab University in India.

He then secured a two-year internship with Spannovation Group India Pvt. Ltd., which he says was an “astounding opportunity” to learn more about bridge construction.

In hopes of gaining international experience in the field, Kapoor says he made a well-calculated move to begin the pursuit of his master’s degree at the Schulich School of Engineering in September 2023.

“I was drawn to the strong engineering faculty, which has a solid reputation for research and innovation in civil and structural engineering,” he says. 

“Calgary is also known for its vibrant infrastructure sector and, being in the major engineering heartland of Alberta, it made it an ideal place for networking and hands-on experience.”

Kapoor quickly immersed himself in the community and research under the guidance of Dr. Muntasir Billah, PhD, in the Department of Civil Engineering.

UCalgary provides memorable experiences

Coming to the University of Calgary has also given Kapoor the opportunity to meet several like-minded students who are part of the UofC Steel Bridge Team.

The team took part in the Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition in Quebec City this past summer, winning awards for their video and cost estimation while finishing sixth overall.

Kapoor says he was grateful to join the team on an exciting and educational trip, which was one of several highlights in his short time in Calgary. 

“Perhaps one of my proudest moments so far has been seeing my specimen fabricated for lab-testing,” he says. “Additionally, showcasing my research at the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering poster competition and winning first prize was a major milestone, as well, marking a significant achievement in bringing my work to life.”

A focus on the future

All of the accolades received to this point have served as inspiration for Kapoor as he looks ahead to the future.

He says the two latest scholarships will provide financial support while giving him confidence in pushing the boundaries of his work in bridge engineering and steel structures to make infrastructure safer and more environmentally friendly.

“My dream is to work in the public sector, where I can prioritize the needs of the public by connecting remote communities and providing them with reliable infrastructure through innovative engineering solutions,” Kapoor says. “I am particularly passionate about developing sustainable solutions that address climate change while meeting the growing demands for infrastructure.”

A former peer listener at UCalgary’s Student Wellness Centre and leader of various workshops with the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Society, Kapoor says he also aspires to mentor students and engage with academia to share his knowledge and experiences with the next generation of civil engineers.