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Grand Iftar unites Muslim student groups in Winnipeg
Campus collaboration raises funds for Sudan and builds community
Nafisa Al Lilo, staff
M uslim students from across Winnipeg campuses gathered on March 13 at the Dakota Community Centre for a large collaborative Grand Iftar that combined community-building, fundraising and Ramadan traditions.
The event, organized by the U of M Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), brought together eight student clubs from the U of M and the University of Winnipeg, along with two sponsors. Organizers say it was possibly one of the largest collaborative events of its kind for Muslim students on post-secondary campuses.
Rania Ibrahim, East African Student Association president, said the gathering was designed to bring Muslim students from different backgrounds together during the holy month.
“The Grand Iftar […] was a collaboration with eight student groups on campus representing diverse Muslim students,” Ibrahim explained. “We got sponsorship from Islamic Relief Canada and the International Community Centre to be able to put on this event to bring Muslim students together.”
The evening began with a Qur’an recitation, followed by welcoming remarks from representatives of each participating club. An Islamic lecture, or Halaqa, was also part of the program, then an auction occurred right before the fast was broken.
Aref AlAswad, who represented the Syrian Students’ Club (SSC) and co-hosted the
event, said each club contributed to the planning and logistics of the evening.
“Every club had [a] different role. Our club was mainly responsible for the food catering. Other clubs were responsible for the setting up, cleaning up, different roles, but [all of the] tasks were divided evenly,” AlAswad said.
One of the central features of the nighttime event was a charity auction. Each participating club contributed an item for attendees to bid on, with proceeds directed toward relief efforts in Sudan.
Adil Hayat, MSA external relations manager, said interest in the event was high, with tickets selling out before general sales opened.
“We actually sold out in early-bird, which is very rare,” Hayat said.
Hayat said the charity auction was one of the most memorable parts of the evening, especially since students knew the funds would go toward humanitarian aid.
“The best part is everybody did it for the sake of unity and donations and the proceeds going to Sudan,” he explained.
UMSU BOD meeting highlights
Tax, advocacy and
Arifah Gheesah, staff
The UMSU board of directors meeting on March 9 started with updates from Prabhnoor Singh, UMSU president. UMSU will host its fourth annual Free Tax Clinic from March 17 to April 2 at University Centre. The clinic, supported by more than 50 volunteers and the Canada Revenue Agency, will help students file simple tax returns at no cost. Last year’s clinic processed more than 1,100 returns.
UMSU is also working with student associations across Manitoba to formally establish Manitoba Students, a
student services
newly registered organization aimed at coordinating student advocacy across the province.
The initiative will bring together student union executives and staff to ensure advocacy efforts continue even as student leadership changes year to year.
Carolyn Wang, vice-president finance & operations, congratulated the newly elected 2026-27 UMSU executives and community representatives.
Heaven Kaur, vice-president university affairs, shared progress regarding reinstating international students’
healthcare. Though UMSU did not receive any response , their advocacy work continues. An update from the report is the university’s decision to create a permanent $300,000 annual budget line for menstrual equity initiatives across its three campuses. The announcement comes as Manitoba recently became the first province in Canada to require employers to provide menstrual products free of charge in workplaces.
“All the MSA brothers got together and bought a painting for $1,300.”
Faisal Shamim Zahed, MSA president, expressed that the Grand Iftar is also a way to recognize the volunteers who help run Ramadan programming throughout the month.
“The MSA does 30 days of iftar and 10 nights of free suhoor for everyone, where the team is heavily invested, especially the volunteers, working day and night,” Zahed said. “So, this is just a gesture for us to give it back to them and the crowd as well.”
Zahed said expanding partnerships with other student groups was a goal this year as the organization works to create a more inclusive campus community.
“I wanted MSA to be more diverse, more accepting and more welcoming to other people,” he explained. “Unfortunately, throughout the years, people have had a lot of negative notions about MSA, how it’s only for a specific set of people, a specific ethnicity, but I am trying to change that notion.”
GRAPHIC BY TEEGAN GILLICH / STAFF
PHOTO BY EBUNOLUWA AKINBO / STAFF
U of M’s OET celebrates 20 years of challenging ableism
Reflecting on the journey since Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Roy Albright Obah, staff
T
he U of M Office of Equity Transformation (OET) hosted an event on March 10 centred on disability as part of the broader conversation reflecting on 20 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The event, which took place at the Fireside Lounge of UMSU University Centre, brought together keynote speakers, experts, panellists with lived experience and community organizations involved in disability advocacy and its related work.
Tina Mai Chen, vice-provost (equity), said the event aimed to amplify the voices of people with disabilities, noting that “over time, people with disabilities don’t always feel seen, valued or heard at the university.” She acknowledged that while there has been progress in addressing ableism, it remains incremental, describing it as always “step by step.”
Angie Conrad, the antiableism and age inclusivity specialist, explained the extensive work that went into organizing the event. “A lot of work [went into] connecting
with community members, connecting with folks here at the university […] or connecting with external community organizations [and] advocacy organizations, and really blending the two and creating a dialogue,” she said.
Conrad described the forum’s theme as “centring disability justice,” focusing on human rights, the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, the Human Rights Code and the lived experiences of people with disabilities.
Chen emphasized that meaningful progress requires recognizing ableism as a “system of oppression” that must be challenged alongside racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, and stressed the importance of consistently asking whether equity initiatives are also advancing disability justice.
Karen Sharma, executive director of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, provided a provincial perspective on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Sharma presented on the shift over the 20th century from policies of institutionalization and segregation to a rights-based approach, sup -
ported by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Manitoba Human Rights Code and provincial accessibility legislation.
Sharma also emphasized the importance of vigilance in protecting these rights. She noted that progress is not always linear and can face setbacks. “[Students with disabilities should] remember that your right to equity […] is entrenched in law, and that it has been through the collective work of people with disabilities that we’ve seen advancements in the law,” she said, urging continued advocacy to ensure future progress.
Amy Shawcross, director of advocacy and professional development with Inclusion Winnipeg, was also present to support the event, and she shared that her organization’s mission aligns closely with the goals of the one-day gathering.
Shawcross explained that the organization works to ensure that every person feels that they belong in their community and that they are cared for and supported in the ways that they need as an individual. “Every person belongs in their home communities with
the right supports and services around them,” she said, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and accessibility in building stronger communities.
Heidi Hutchison, president of People First of Manitoba, said advocacy efforts continue to push for stronger voices and greater autonomy for people with intellectual disabilities. While acknowledging that progress has been made, she emphasized that much work remains.
“We do have autonomy. We are given a chance to have our voice, but there’s 100 per cent still so much work to be done,” Hutchinson said, adding that she hopes continued advocacy will bring meaningful changes and greater self-determination in the years ahead.
Among the participants at the event was Bashiru Salifu, a PhD candidate in peace and conflict studies at the U of M, who attended to learn more about disability advocacy and inclusion. Salifu expressed the importance of meaningful inclusion in policymaking. “Nothing can be done without us,” he said, quoting a speaker who emphasized the need to involve people with disabil-
ities in decisions that affect them.
He also encouraged other students to expand their perspectives. “It’s very important for us to really broaden our horizon […] We don’t always have to just limit ourselves to what we are familiar with,” Salifu said.
Conrad encouraged students to engage, even if they do not identify with a specific community. “Be curious, ask questions, be human, be empathetic. Ask how you can support […] Join a group. Become part of the conversation.”
Shawcross outlined practical ways students and community members can support the organization’s work. “We look for volunteers all the time to help us out,” she said, explaining that as a nonprofit with limited funding, community support plays an important role.
Chen offered a message of support to the U of M community, affirming that people with disabilities “belong here [and] there really is a community here to support you,” and that difference is something the community should embrace.
Scholars shine at St. Paul’s recognition and reception
Annual event showcases faculty research, interdisciplinary ties ahead of centennial
Roy Albright Obah, staff
S
t. Paul’s College hosted its annual Scholars’ Recognition and Reception on March 12 at the Fr. Harold Drake Library, bringing together faculty members from across disciplines to present their research contributions over the past year.
Faculty members from diverse fields were invited to share brief presentations about their research projects, allowing attendees to gain insight into ongoing academic work.
Christopher Adams, rector of St. Paul’s College, said the event was intended to show the interdisciplinary nature of the college’s academic community and “highlight all the work that’s happening among [their] scholars.”
During the reception, each scholar was given two minutes to present their research. This offered a snapshot of topics ranging from genetics and agriculture to political science and religious studies.
According to Adams, the event reflects the college’s unique interdisciplinary environment where faculty members from various U of M departments collaborate and share ideas. The gathering also allows students and visitors to see the scope of research being conducted beyond the classroom.
Dilantha Fernando, dean of St. Paul’s College and professor in the faculty of agricultural and food sciences, emphasized that bringing researchers from different disciplines together can strengthen academic work. Interdisciplinary research allows scholars to “learn from each other” and build collaborations that can lead to new research proposals and solutions to real-world issues.
Meredith Bacola, associate professor in Catholic studies and acting director of the Jesuit Centre for Catholic Studies, said events like this provide an opportunity for students to learn about faculty members’ areas of expertise and the research they
conduct alongside teaching responsibilities.
“Sometimes they only see us as professors or staff members here within an institution,” Bacola said. “The other part of academic work is that we are all researchers or experts in our own field or discipline.”
For faculty members who would want to join the community, Fernando clarified that the college welcomes faculty from any department at U of M who are interested in contributing to its mission of social justice and community engagement.
Despite the impact of research, academics said balancing responsibilities can present challenges. Bacola pointed to time management as one of the difficulties scholars face. “The demands within a term, as our students know very well, are very cyclical,” she said, noting that faculty members often have to balance teaching, marking and administrative responsibilities while finding time to con-
duct research.
Researchers also emphasized that collaboration plays an important role in overcoming these challenges.
Maneka Malalgoda, assistant professor in the department of food and human nutritional sciences, said partnerships with other researchers can help advance projects by combining different areas of expertise.
Malalgoda shared one of her recent projects focusing on improving the nutritional value of bakery products by increasing fibre and protein content, reflecting growing consumer interest in nutrient-dense foods.
For students interested in pursuing research, scholars at the event encouraged curiosity and initiative. Bacola advised students to pursue topics that genuinely interest them. “Follow your passion,” she said, adding that curiosity often leads students toward meaningful careers.
Malalgoda also encouraged students to take advantage of
research opportunities offered by the university and funding agencies. “If you have the opportunity, I think students should definitely apply,” she said, encouraging students to reach out to professors whose work interests them.
Similarly, Haskel Greenfield, distinguished professor of anthropology, encouraged students to get involved by volunteering in research labs. “Find a professor that you want to work with and volunteer in their lab so that they get to know you,” he said as such connections can lead to future research opportunities and funding.
The college is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary, marking a century of academic scholarship, community engagement and interdisciplinary learning within the university community.
Fernando described the upcoming milestone as a reflection of a century of scholarship and collaboration. “[The] centennial means a lot because we have come a
long way, a hundred years of excellence in academics,” he said. The centennial celebrations are expected to begin in September 2026 and continue through the 2026-27 academic year, featuring scholarly and community events that celebrate the college’s history and contributions to the U of M community.
Students, alumni, faculty and community members who wish to take part in this celebration are invited to scan the QR code to explore the various ways to get involved.
PHOTO BY MIKAELA WARKENTIN / STAFF
FACULTY MEMBERS FROM ACROSS DISCIPLINES SHARED THEIR RESEARCH FROM THE PAST YEAR AT THE ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE SCHOLAR’S RECOGNITION AND RECEPTION
Research & Technology
AI use in immigration processing
IRCC releases its new artificial intelligence strategy
Nawal Semir, staff
I
mmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially rolled out a formal strategy governing its use of artificial intelligence (AI), signaling that the technology is now deeply embedded in the country’s immigration processing machinery after more than a decade of experimentation. Since first deploying AI tools in 2013 and expanding to machine learning in 2018, the department has quietly used automated systems to assess over seven million applications, primarily to triage cases and flag straightforward files for faster officer review while directing more complex matters to human staff.
Currently, AI handles significant volumes of routine administrative work, including triaging roughly four million emails annually through client support centres and powering “Quaid,” a chatbot that responds to about 80 per cent of basic online inquiries without human involvement. The department is also testing more intrusive applications, including fraud detection tools designed to scan documents for anomalies and predictive analytics that would recommend settlement locations to economic immigrants based on past earnings data and regional economic indicators.
However, officials claim that all systems operate under strict limitations. They further emphasized that no AI is permitted to refuse an application, final decisions remain with human officers and the department avoids “black box” models that cannot provide clear explanations for their outputs. The newly published strategy outlines ongoing efforts to monitor these tools for bias, protect private data and maintain human oversight. However, critics noted that the growing reliance on automation raises persistent questions about transparency and the potential for embedded discrimination in systems processing millions of vulnerable applicants.
As the department pushes forward with experiments in generative AI and advanced analytics, it faces the delicate task of balancing operational efficiency against the life-altering consequences of its decisions.
While the Canadian government has been formalizing its approach to AI in immigration, applicants are increas-
ingly turning to the tool to informally aid in the navigation of the nation’s immigration landscape. Many newcomers are using AI to draft crucial documents such as submission letters and to conduct research on which immigration pathway might suit them best, often as a cost-saving measure when they cannot afford legal representation.
The most frequently accessible AI systems to these applicants are usually general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT. However, increased usage carries significant risks, as these general chatbots are trained on broad datasets and are not reliable for high-stakes legal matters. They frequently “hallucinate” information, generating confident sounding but entirely fictitious court cases and laws — a problem highlighted recently when 31 Cameroonian applicants cited the same non-existent case law in their applications. While specialized legal tools exist, the average applicant’s reliance
on generic chatbots threatens to undermine the system’s integrity and jeopardize individual cases.
Unlike Canada’s relatively cautious approach focused on triaging applications and reducing processing backlogs, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has built what critics describe as a sprawling surveillance infrastructure that increasingly targets not just undocumented immigrants but American citizens who exercise their First Amendment rights. The contrast could hardly be starker — while IRCC explicitly prohibits AI from refusing applications and maintains human oversight, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deployed AI tools that help identify, track and detain people with deadly consequences.
The human toll of this technological arms race is already visible. Since September 2025, ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have shot four-
teen people, resulting in four deaths, including two U.S. citizens, Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both killed in January 2026. In Good’s case, an ICE agent was recording her on a cellphone moments before fatally shooting her as she observed agents from inside her SUV. The violence has sparked rare public dissent within the tech industry itself. Nearly 1,000 Google employees signed a letter condemning the violent law enforcement actions of ICE and CBP, expressing horror at the killings and demanding the company disclose and terminate its contracts with these agencies.
The contrast between these cases raised an important question — whether AI serves as a tool to assist overwhelmed immigration systems or becomes a weapon turned against the people those systems are meant to serve.
For Canada, the challenge lies in ensuring its cautious approach does not become
an excuse for complacency, allowing bias to creep in under the guise of efficiency. The department’s reliance on automation to process millions of applications demands continuous scrutiny, not just periodic reassurances. Alternatively, for the U.S., the question is whether the surveillance infrastructure now being built can ever be meaningfully restrained or whether the country has already crossed a line that makes accountability nearly impossible.
What is clear is that the immigration debate is no longer just about borders and backlogs. It is about surveillance, data collection and, as the deaths in Minneapolis and the application backlogs in Ottawa make plain, the consequences of getting it wrong are not theoretical. They are measured in ruined lives, broken families and a fundamental erosion of trust in the institutions meant to serve the public.
GRAPHIC BY TEEGAN GILLICH / STAFF
Inside the mind
Understanding how meaning emerges from memory
Mansura Akter Meghla, staff
U
nderstanding how people think might seem abstract, but for Randy Jamieson, it is a question that sits at the centre of human intelligence and, increasingly, the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
Jamieson, a U of M professor of brain and cognitive sciences in the department of psychology, studies how
people learn, remember and understand language. Using laboratory experiments and computational modelling, his research examines how meaning forms in the human mind.
While his work intersects with AI, Jamieson said his focus is not on building technologies. “I’m really focused on understanding how people work,” he said.
Jamieson’s interest in cog-
nitive science began in the 1990s while studying auditory cognition and music perception during his master’s degree in auditory cognition. During that time, he encountered computational psychology — a field that uses computer models to simulate human thinking. The discovery reshaped his academic path.
“I switched over for my PhD
to study how people learn artificial languages,” he said.
That work later expanded into natural language processing, a field that underpins large language models (LLMs) and modern AI systems. Although the recent surge in AI development has drawn attention to machine language systems, Jamieson believes insights from psychology remain crucial.
“I’m really excited about integrating what we know about how the human mind works to build cognitive machines that are more psychologically like us,” he said. “It’s a very interesting moment in cognitive history.”
One of Jamieson’s major research projects explores how humans construct meaning from language experiences.
In 2018, his team developed what he calls an “instancebased model of semantic cognition.” Unlike many AI systems that assign fixed representations to words, the model assumes people remember individual language experiences and construct meaning dynamically.
“The modern LLM approach is to develop methods for machine representations of words, one for each word,” Jamieson said. However, his model proposes a different process. “In my approach, I assume that people remember each of their individual language experiences and that the brain constructs a momentary meaning by ad hoc parallel retrieval,” he said.
The model has already shown promising results. Jamieson believes that it can successfully predict how people interpret words and judge meaning in experimental settings. “Humans are more like a meaning making
machine than a machine that stores and retrieves words,” he explained. Recent discussions in the field suggest that this instance-based perspective might overlap with the architecture of modern AI systems, he noted.
Beyond theoretical modelling, Jamieson’s lab is also investigating everyday cognitive experiences, including the frustrating moment when a word seems just out of reach.
One of his graduate students is currently studying the “tip-of-the-tongue” phenomenon, where people feel certain they know a word but cannot fully recall it. These moments reveal surprising details about how memory works. Even when people cannot recall a word, they often remember pieces of information about it. “How can people claim they don’t know the word and yet tell you the word starts with an ‘s’ sound and has three syllables[?]” Jamieson asked.
By modelling these states computationally, researchers hope to better understand how knowledge moves between awareness and memory.
“We’re excited about getting that down in a computational model, to figure out how words come to mind, recede and hang around in intermediate knowledge states at the experiential and threshold of consciousness,” he said.
For Jamieson, the main goal of his work is not technological innovation but intellectual contribution.
“All I ever wanted was to be a part of the history of ideas,” he said. “I hope the things we’ve been thinking about are interesting to others and might even help them to step forward into even more interesting ideas.”
