SMART CalSolAr Foundation

Empowering the community to embrace solar energy through education

Current Project

Illuminating Futures through Solar Education in Nunavut

The SMART CalSolar Foundation is embarking on an inspiring mission to educate high-school students in Nunavut. Our vision encompasses collaboration with dedicated school teachers, local government entities, and the community. Together, we are determined to empower the youth of Nunavut and catalyze a transformative shift towards embracing solar energy as a sustainable solution for the future.
(Contact us for more information)

Our Vision

Our vision at SMART CalSolAr Foundation is to empower the next generation with solar energy knowledge and skills, fostering a culture of solar energy adoption and environmentally conscious society.

Our Mission

Empowering the next generation through free and locally accessible solar education for indigenous and underprivileged youths.

Promoting solar energy awareness through community workshops and outreach programs.

Advancing energy equity by addressing marginalization and burdens disadvantaged communities face due to pollution, inadequate clean energy infrastructure, and limited access to energy-efficient housing and transportation.

Driving widespread solar energy adoption through proactive engagement with policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders.

Our Team

Dr. Anis Haque, P.Eng

Founder & Board Chair

Dr. Anis Haque has thirty years of university teaching and extensive research experience in photovoltaics and advanced nanotechnology. Having a true passion for giving back to the community,
Anis founded a registered charity named AASEE in 2010, where he is a Director on the Board. Through this organization, he has directly worked with more than 13,000 pre-university students in their classrooms by travelling to schools across Alberta and in the Northwest Territories. Anis focuses his volunteering hours on underrepresented people in the STEM field, such as students from indigenous communities, rural schools, female students and newcomers. His model of creating passion in science and engineering among pre-university students has drawn international attention too. Anis became involved with the IEEE’s educational outreach program called TISP Canada and volunteered as the Chair of TISP Canada. Anis is also a long-time Director on the Board of Minerva Canada, a non-profit organization advancing health and safety education for engineering and business students at universities across Canada.

Anis was privileged to represent Minerva Canada at the Singapore Accord signing meeting for safety and health professional organizations in 2017. His contributions at Minerva brought him the Minerva Educational Award of Honour in 2014. Anis also volunteered as a member of the Board of Examiners at APEGA. Anis is a full-time faculty with the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering at the University of Calgary. He served as Associate Dean of Engineering and Associate Head of the department. Among many other contributions, he also served as the Chair of the Gender and Diversity in Engineering Committee.

His passion and dedication to teaching resulted in several teaching excellence awards that the students unanimously nominated. He holds memberships in several professional organizations: the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), Solar Alberta, and Institution for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE). Anis has also been named on Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. Anis received his Ph.D. from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). Furthermore, he completed his two master’s degrees in Computer Science at the University of Cambridge in England and Applied Physics and Electronics at the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh. (www.ucalgary.ca/~anis)

Dr. Sabbir Ahmed, P.Eng

Founder & Board Member

Dr. Sabbir Ahmed is a Senior Electrical & Controls Engineer with over 17 years of experience in engineering design, research, and academia. He joined Stantec in 2012 and is currently working as a Senior Electrical Engineer in the Energy & Resources group.

Sabbir completed his BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2005 and 2007, respectively. With outstanding academic records, he joined the same Dept. as a Faculty member in 2005. He then moved on to complete his PhD degree from the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alberta in 2014 and was recipient of prestigious scholarships (FS Chia, Queen Elizabeth II) for academic excellence. His research focus includes solar technology, nano-electronic devices and digital electronic (IoT) systems.

Sabbir is currently a member of the Board of Examiners at the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). He is also engaged with several “Giving Back to Communities” program at Stantec.

Sabbir served as a Director on the board of “PIACT Bangladesh”, a non-profit organization committed to the welfare of the people of Bangladesh through resolute and concerted efforts in training, education, poverty alleviation and development of socially disadvantaged women and children.

Joanni Sallerina

Board Member

Joanni is a highly respected elder in the Inuit community and a prominent leader in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. Having been elected Mayor three times, he has played a vital role in shaping the town’s development, including education. After retirement, Joanni continued to contribute to education by teaching high school students in Gjoa Haven, driven by his passion for improving opportunities for indigenous youths.

Apart from his dedication to education, Joanni finds solace in hunting and fishing, which connect him to his cultural roots. He strongly advocates for promoting indigenous culture and traditions, working tirelessly to ensure their recognition and preservation.

Moreover, Joanni is deeply passionate about renewable energy and the environment, advocating for sustainable practices and seeking innovative solutions to protect the land he loves. His life journey is marked by his commitment to community, culture, education, and environmental stewardship, making him an inspirational figure in his town and beyond.

Trina Sallerina

Board Member

Trina’s journey is defined by dedication, compassion, and a profound love for education and indigenous communities. Originally from Novascotia, she discovered her calling as a high school teacher in Nunavut, where she was captivated by the close-knit community. For 27 remarkable years, Trina devoted herself to teaching in various places in Nunavut, rising to become a principal due to her exceptional leadership and passion for education.

Her time in Nunavut instilled a deep love and respect for the indigenous communities she served, driving her mission to create opportunities and positively impact future generations. Beyond education, Trina is fervent about environmental protection and advocates for sustainable practices.

Trina’s work revolves around empowering the indigenous next generation, providing them with quality education and a sustainable environment. Her unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds and supporting indigenous communities is a testament to her inspirational legacy.

John D. Elstone

Board Member

Education
Brock University

Experience
– 42 Years in Financial Industry
– CEO of Diversiﬁed Energies Canada Inc.
– Project Development Specialist:
● Norres Energy (Solar & Wind Power) Inc.
● Nucana Industries Inc.
● Aangstrom Strategies Inc.

Interests
– Rotarian and environmentalist, funding philanthropic & social causes.
Mentor: Dr. Robert Hoover – Cincinnati, Ohio 1974
“Health is Life & life is decision making”
– A Proud sponsor of:
● UNA – Canada (United Nations Association in Canada)
● WINS (Women In Need Society)