ASET Technology Alberta Summer 2016 - 11

Smart Alert Shoes Meet the Project Members Marcel Laguna As a kid growing up in Edmonton, I was always intrigued by electronics and technology. I recall spending a lot of time modifying the family PC, which did not exactly make my siblings happy, as well as, "jailbreaking" cellphones and iPods, and have always kept up with the latest technology for PCs, gadgets, and even cars. My secondary interests in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship prompted me to enroll in NAIT's business courses but my eventual program of choice was Biomedical Engineering Technology because I saw a competitive advantage in its being highly specialized and limited to a small segment of the job market. It also coincided nicely with my passion for technology, effectively expanding my skills in that area and providing me with expertise in a field that would allow me to help people. This last consideration was particularly important to me given that my father has been afflicted with chronic kidney failure for several years. I appreciate, and am amazed by, the hemodialysis machine that quite literally is keeping him alive. NAIT's program was the right choice for two reasons. First, it's in my hometown. More importantly is that NAIT's reputation is for providing an exceptional educational experience and high-quality instruction. Muhammad Suleman Born in Pakistan and raised in Toronto and Edmonton, I share Marcel's passion for electronics and from early childhood I loved breaking and then trying to fix computers-sometimes more successfully than others. To be completely honest, at times I got some heat for destroying family members' expensive machines, which led to their being off-limits to me for years. However, my experience grew and I gained a level of professionalism that led me to become the go-to guy in my community for anyone needing help with his or her computer. When I was trying to figure out my career path, computers were an obvious choice but I also knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. My father suggested I consider NAIT's Biomedical Engineering Technology program because it blended my passion and my professional as- pirations. Ultimately, my field will allow me to make an important difference in the lives of patients by ensuring their access to safe, reliable, efficient medical equipment. I settled on NAIT, over other programs because its program features practical, hands-on training, and the result has been an amazing and valuable educational experience. Edward Yong I was born and raised in Edmonton and am of Malay/Chinese descent. The only way to explain why I chose NAIT's Biomedical Engineering Technology Program is to tell you a story: When I was a child, my cousin had cancer and was admitted to the Stollery Hospital, supported by our entire family. One night, while were waiting in the hall, alarms went off in my cousin's room and we panicked. A man appeared and went to my cousin's bed, staying there for 10 minutes. The alarms stopped and we bombarded the stranger with questions about who he was and what he had been doing. He replied that my cousin seemed okay and that he was, "Just a biomed here; I fix the hospital equipment." My family talks about him to this day because my cousin is still alive and we believe that biomedical engineering technologist, who "just" fixed and maintained hospital equipment, indirectly saved my cousin's life. My formal education has provided me with valuable experience in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining fundamental and complex circuits. I realise the combination of understanding and following intricate instructions is essential, and allows me to excel by using a distinct problem-solving method. I am a full supporter of Kickstarter, an online community-based approach to funding innovative projects many of which I have helped, including: OneWheel, a singlewheeled, mechanised skate board; 360Cam, a 360-degree camera that captures video and photos from every angle; and, ODIN, an Android-based smart projector users can carry in their pockets. TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA | SUMMER 2016 | 11

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Summer 2016