The Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC / Yukon is pleased to announce the recipients of the Co-op/WIL Student of the Year Awards for 2024. These awards recognize BC or Yukon students who demonstrate an outstanding level of achievement in their co-operative education or work-integrated learning experience; combined with a strong academic record, volunteer activities, and significant contributions to promoting co-operative education in their school and in the community.
UNIVERSITY STUDENT CO-OP AWARD, Honourable Mention: Andela Acic, UBC Okanagan
Andela Acic is a Bachelor of Science student at UBC Okanagan, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Psychology. A dedicated advocate for experiential learning, Andela has excelled through three Co-op terms at leading organizations, including TD, Morgan Stanley, and Amazon. During her internship at Amazon, she spearheaded innovative projects that saved millions in operational costs and earned recognition for her AI-driven tools in hackathons. She is an international student on a full scholarship, actively engaged in the campus community through roles as a teaching assistant in Computer Science and Physics. Andela’s passion for empowering women in STEM is evident through her United Nations Foundation grant-funded mentorship initiatives and her Work Study research position for the UBCO Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Mentoring Program. Her Co-op experiences have shaped her professional journey, culminating in a full-time offer at Amazon post-graduation, and enriched her academic contributions and campus involvement.
COLLEGE STUDENT CO-OP AWARD, Honourable Mention: Sarah Bowker, Langara College
Sarah Bowker, a third-year Bioinformatics student at Langara College, is currently completing a Data Analyst co-op at Optima Living. During her placement, she developed a ticketing system using Microsoft tools, including MS Forms, SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI, to streamline employee request management. By collaborating with HR, IT, Marketing, and Communications departments, Sarah automated the categorization of requests, reducing manual processing time and improving response efficiency. The system also captured data on request types and response times, enabling ongoing analysis for continuous improvement. Sarah presented her project to company leadership, receiving positive feedback and approval to expand the system further. This experience allowed Sarah to enhance her skills in data analysis, automation, and cross-departmental collaboration, making a measurable impact on company operations. She looks forward to applying these skills in future Data Analytics and Automation roles.
UNIVERSITY STUDENT WIL AWARD, Honourable Mention: Sitayesh Cheryl Malik, Vancouver Island University
Sitayesh Cheryl Malik is the Administrative and Systems Associate at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Centre for Experiential Learning and Student Engagement (CEL). With an undergraduate degree in business from Forman Christian College, Pakistan, and an MBA from VIU, she brings extensive experience in administrative and operational roles, including at an international boarding school and within the CEL itself.
As a Career Peer in the Career Studio, she supported students in their career readiness journeys. During her MBA internship, she developed a comprehensive onboarding Student Employee Handbook for student staff, collaborating with team members, graphic designers, and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality results.
Since October 2024, Sitayesh has contributed to CEL operations by supporting the experiential learning database and enhancing efficiency in processes. Known for her initiative, organizational skills, and creative problem-solving, Sitayesh continues to make a meaningful impact in her current role.