Months of preparation paid off for 12 University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) students when they travelled to Edmonton for the Enactus Western Canada Regional Exposition on March 13-14. 

Enactus UFV was named the regional champion in the Canadian Tire Corporation Environmental Sustainability Challenge, earning themselves a trip to the Enactus Canada National Exposition, taking place May 6-8 in Calgary. 

The student team was led by Sargun Gill, current president of the club. Presenters included Sargun Michael Amirani, Justin Hari, Dueen Meer, Dario Jareb, Deepti Kapil, Durgesh Chitre, and Sakshi Charan. Project managers for Q&As included Olivia Reitsma, Taneshq Talwar, and Mel Miskin, and Yuvraj Kamboj made sure whatever technology the team needed worked as it should. 

 At the Edmonton event, they competed against 17 schools to demonstrate how their work can make a tangible difference in Canada and beyond, presenting two projects that tackle climate change in a way that optimizes resource use and minimizes waste, from production to consumption. 

Oak & Earth targets indoor air pollution through sustainable, hand-poured candles that use clean-burning wooden wicks and 100 per cent biodegradable soy wax, ensuring a 40 per cent longer eco-friendly burn. Each candle features medicinal scents valued by Indigenous communities, such as sandalwood, strawberry and sage, and includes a culture card showcasing original artwork and language to honour their traditions. 

 Oak & Earth has partnered with the Fraser River Indigenous Society (FRIS), a Maple Ridge-based nonprofit offering social programs and traditional teachings on mental, emotional, and spiritual health, as well as homeless outreach. Fifty per cent of profits are shared with FRIS to support community initiatives. 

“Being deeply involved with this project has been a significant journey, defining my final year at UFV,” said student Mel Miskin. “Our recent success at regionals wasn’t just a victory for us; it highlighted the strength of our partnership with FRIS. As we gear up for nationals, we’re driven to excel further, aiming to showcase our projects and bring well-deserved recognition and results to our efforts.” 

 Fraser Valley AgroConnect transforms unsellable wood into opportunity. Using a custom burner built by experts at UFV’s Trades and Technology Centre, they’re turning the wood into Binchotan. As restaurants and farms in the Fraser Valley face high costs and emissions from importing charcoal from the U.S., Binchotan provides a cleaner-burning and more affordable local alternative. 

 Unsellable wood is sourced from Stó:lō Indigenous forestry sites, providing revenue for Indigenous communities, and Fraser Valley AgroConnect is working with Stó:lō to secure permits for large-scale wood processing. 

 Two food trucks and a BBQ supply store have expressed interest in using Binchotan, and Fraser Valley AgroConnect plans on launching commercially to restaurants and retailers this fall. 

Fraser Valley AgroConnect is producing biochar, which enhances soil health and sequesters carbon. They’re working with UFV Agriculture to study biochar’s benefits for soil health, aiming to offer sustainable locally made biochar for farmers increasing soil quality and crop yield. 

“Having the honour to be so closely involved with Fraser Valley AgroConnect has been the most meaningful part of my university journey so far, and being recognized at regionals was a reminder that what we are doing truly matters,” said student Justin Hari. “Knowing that our work contributes to sustainability, while supporting indigenous communities gives every step a real sense of purpose.” 

Sargun Gill said competing at regionals was an incredibly meaningful milestone for himself and the team, and said it was an honour to lead such a passionate group. 

“Over the past year, I’ve worked closely with our team to strengthen the foundation of these initiatives, and both these projects have delivered significant impact in our communities,” she noted. “Being able to share the progress and impact of these two powerful initiatives on the regionals stage was truly unforgettable. I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and even more excited for what’s ahead.” 

In addition to their win, Enactus UFV was also the runner-up in the Innovation and Impact Challenge, and second runner-up in both the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge and the Desjardins Youth Empowerment Challenge. 

Dr. Saeed Rahman, associate professor in the School of Business and faculty advisor for Enactus UFV, said he’s very proud of this team for the professionalism, passion, and dedication they showed. Encouraged by their performance, he believes UFV will continue to be a force at future Enactus events. 

“It’s clear they’re ready to lead and deliver on bigger stages — regionally and nationally,” Saeed enthused. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team, and I’m confident Enactus UFV will continue to deliver meaningful impact in the years ahead.”