UNB Prof Named An RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant
FREDERICTON– An Iranian immigrant and University of New Brunswick (UNB) professor with a track record of achievement as an inventor and entrepreneur in the cybersecurity sector has received an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award
Ali Ghorbani received the award for his inspiring achievements and leadership. The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards are given to Canadian immigrants who have demonstrated significant contributions and outstanding achievements.
Moving to Canada from Iran in 1991, Ghorbani and his wife, Mahin, chose to raise their family in Fredericton. Their three children are graduates of UNB.
“Canada is a good and exceptional country, arguably the most successful multicultural society in the world, and among the best destinations for new immigrants, opening its doors and promise to millions like me,” said Ghorbani in a news release.
This is the 11th year for the awards, bringing the total number of recipients to 275. Thousands of names were submitted, with a shortlist of 75 nominees selected by a diverse judging panel of past winners. The 25 recipients were chosen based on a combination of nationwide online voting and a second round of judging.
Ghorbani is the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity, a professor of computer science on the UNB Fredericton campus, and director of UNB’s Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity, which he established in 2016.
Over his 37-year academic career, Ghorbani has carried out fundamental and applied research in the area of cybersecurity, machine learning and intelligence. He is the co-inventor of three awarded patents in network security and web intelligence and has a passion for entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for students and colleagues. He also received the StartUp Canada Senior Entrepreneur Award in 2017.
Ghorbani is the founding director of the Intelligent and Adaptive Systems Research Group and co-founder of the Privacy, Security, Trust Network in Canada.
Since 2010, he has obtained more than $15 million to fund eight large multi-project research initiatives and his technologies have been adopted by industry leaders.
Ghorbani is also the co-founder of two start-ups, Sentrant Security and EyesOver Technologies. He and his wife also established a scholarship at UNB for students from developing countries who study computer science or software engineering.
“As a Canadian citizen, I have had the chance to raise well-educated and responsible children and realize my dream of becoming a successful husband and father, educator, researcher and entrepreneur,” said Ghorbani. “Canada is a peaceful, stable and multicultural country where all citizens are equal.”
The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners receive a commemorative plaque and a $500 donation will be made toward a registered Canadian charity of their choice. The full list of winners is featured online and in the July print edition of Canadian Immigrant magazine.