Maple News reports on an inspiring Canadian immigration success story that continues to resonate in classrooms and boardrooms alike. Dr. Gina Cody, an Iranian-born engineer, has transformed her journey as an international student into a legacy that is reshaping engineering education in Canada.
Arriving in Canada from Iran in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution, Gina Cody was determined to build a new future through education. Encouraged by her mother to pursue independence, she found opportunity at Concordia University in Montréal. A professor, impressed by her talent, offered her a scholarship to pursue graduate studies. Gina would go on to earn a PhD in building engineering—the first woman in Concordia’s history to do so.
Cody didn’t stop there. Her professional journey included becoming a partner and later the sole owner of a successful engineering firm, recognized multiple times as one of Canada’s best-managed companies. But she maintained strong ties to Concordia, serving in advisory roles and eventually on the board of governors.
In 2018, she made history again with a $15 million donation to Concordia University. In recognition, the institution renamed its Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science to the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science—the first engineering faculty in Canada named after a woman. Her gift has funded scholarships and bursaries aimed at removing financial barriers, especially for underrepresented students.
Gina Cody’s visibility and contributions have also become a source of inspiration for women in STEM. “Having a woman as the face of our school is a daily reminder that we belong in engineering and can do great things,” said Hannah Jack Halcro, President of Space Concordia. Cody’s engagement goes beyond finances—she visits, listens, and encourages students to envision a future without limits.
For Cody, philanthropy is a responsibility, not just a gesture. She sees giving back as part of the cycle of inclusion, describing her success as the result of Canadian generosity that she, in turn, is duty-bound to sustain. She signed the ‘Livre d’or’ of Montréal, a symbol of her lasting contributions to Canadian society.
Stories like Gina Cody’s emphasize the broader impacts of immigration in Canada. With nearly half a million immigrants working in STEM and international students continuing to stay after graduation, the country’s knowledge economy continues to thrive. Immigrants are not just filling roles—they are shaping the future of Canadian innovation and education.
According to Maple News, Gina Cody’s journey is a powerful reminder of how opportunity and perseverance, supported by inclusive institutions, can drive societal transformation. Her story is an emblem of possibility for every newcomer—and a blueprint for a more equitable future.