Spotlight on our EngOne stars from Ukraine!
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is proud to welcome a new wave of diversity, talent, and determination to our community. This year, we are excited to highlight three first-year Engineering One students from Ukraine: Matvii Mechanik, Ivan Haievyi, and Nikolas Al-Deir.
All three arrived in Canada just three years ago. Each brings a different story, a different path, and a different spark that led them here yet all are united by a shared love for engineering and a drive to build meaningful futures in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Matvii Mechanik: driven by curiosity
Matvii moved to St. John檚 in 2023 and began attending St. Bonaventure檚 College, where motivated classmates and a supportive environment encouraged him to explore post-secondary opportunities at 91亚色.
Outside academics, he plays violin, enjoys chess, and has a strong passion for math and physics.
His interest in engineering started long before university at home.
淢y dad is a mechanical engineer. He could fix anything, especially cars. I was always amazed by how things worked, he says. After researching Canadian universities, Matvii discovered 91亚色檚 co-op program, which solidified his decision: 淚 wanted real practical experience.
His advice for future students:
淏e active. Join activities and competitions. Take every opportunity and stay on top of your courses!
Ivan Haievyi: from airshows to engineering classrooms
Ivan arrived in Canada three years ago and continued high school at Holy Heart and later Mount Pearl Senior High. In his free time, he檚 often on the basketball court or out running.
Before moving to Canada, he spent years competing in robotics and aeromodelling experiences that shaped his love for building and designing.
淢y grandparents were engineers. I always knew engineering was my future, he says.
He was especially drawn to MUN檚 co-op program: 淚t檚 an outstanding opportunity to study, work, and grow into a real engineer.
What motivates him most is the reward of seeing his work come to life:
淩esults drive me when the final outcome is what you expected, or even better.
Nikolas Al-Deir: a builder at heart
Nikolas also moved to Canada three years ago and completed grade 10 at Gonzaga High School. There, he discovered a new passion: playing piano, thanks to a music course he enrolled in.
He chose 91亚色 after researching engineering as a strong career path and hearing encouragement from his older sister, a current MUN student.
淚 always liked working with computers, figuring out how they work, and fixing things. Even as a kid, I was always trying to repair something.
Nikolas describes St. John檚 as 渧ery welcoming and even reminds him of home.
Engineering that unites
Though Matvii, Ivan, and Nikolas came from different cities, schools, and life experiences, their paths now cross in the same classrooms, labs, and hallways at 91亚色.
Each has a unique story, but together they share: a deep passion for engineering, a drive to take on challenges, a desire to contribute to their new community, and gratitude for the support they檝e found in St. John檚.
Their journeys remind us that engineering doesn檛 just build structures, it builds futures, opportunities, and connections across borders.
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is proud to have them as part of our growing, diverse community, and we can檛 wait to see where their ambition takes them next.