The resilience of Ayat Kuri: Adversity can’t stop this engineering student

At Stantec, we believe in nurturing the next generation of engineers. Our dedication extends beyond internships and entry-level positions. We see support for students as an investment in the future of engineering.

When the Spartans Community Foundation introduced us to Ayat Kuri, a young Kurdish engineering student struggling with a degree-level thermodynamics exam, our Edinburgh office was eager to meet her and try to help.

Ayat’s journey to becoming an engineer is marked by her resilience and perseverance. Born in northeastern Syria, she and her family fled to Kurdistan to escape war. They eventually settled as refugees in Edinburgh, where Ayat pursued her schooling and ambition to enter higher education. Despite encountering language barriers when she first moved to the UK, Ayat remained committed academically—working to not only catch up but excel. She applied the same determination to her weekly tutoring sessions with our Waterpower and Dams team to master thermodynamics.

Getting to meet and spend time with experienced engineers in a professional setting, Ayat appreciated how much learning happens beyond the academic environment. After passing her exam, she celebrated with an afternoon tea organised by her tutoring team and the Edinburgh office. And Ayat had more good news, finding out that she’d landed a summer work placement with Stantec for 2025. “The team made me feel welcome from day one. Their belief in my abilities boosted my confidence, and I’m excited to pursue a career in engineering,” she said. 

Craig Scott, director for Waterpower and Dams in the UK and Europe was a champion for the whole endeavour. He emphasises both the importance of both supporting up-and-coming talent and of inclusion and diversity. Reflecting on the opportunity to work with Spartans Community Foundation and Ayat, Craig noted multiple benefits, observing that “not only did our team find mentoring Ayat personally rewarding, but the simple practice of teaching helps them deepen their own understanding.”

We’re proud to support young engineers like Ayat, fostering a diverse and innovative future for the industry.