REGINA — Imagine arriving in Canada to winter on the prairies, stepping into minus 30-degree weather, and finding yourself unable to ask for directions in the local language. This was the reality for Md Torikul Islam Bhuiyan when he arrived in Regina, Saskatchewan from Bangladesh in December 2017.
Equipped with only a high school education and a quiet dream to start his own business, Bhuiyan met challenges head on and found the support he needed through the University of Regina. Today, he owns a Second Cup franchise serving up coffee and small bites on Rochdale Boulevard in north Regina. He is also an active community leader and passionate lifelong learner.
When a guy comes here from a different country and doesn’t know how to speak to someone, that guy spends three to four months learning a new language and meeting new people. The level of confidence he gets is incredible.” — Md Torikul Islam Bhuiyan, EAP’18, Centre for Continuing Education, University of Regina; Owner, Second Cup Franchise, Regina
Dr. Christie Schultz, Dean of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) at the U of R, says Bhuiyan’s journey is a powerful example of how CCE can transform lives. “For international student and new business owner Bhuiyan, CCE was the catalyst that led to an entirely new future.”
The value of consistency and community
For Bhuiyan, the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program helped him settle into life in Regina. He fondly credits his instructor, Deborah Hulston, for instilling the habit of consistency which he carried into his work life. Hulston pushed him to “do a little bit every day”, a mindset he now applies to managing his business operations.
The EAP program also introduced him to campus resources, such as the Student Success Centre and the Global Learning Centre, and facilitated cultural excursions such as city tours and visits to farmers’ markets.
He found friendships with fellow U of R students, Tanvir Pahlobi Bahar, an electronic systems engineering graduate, and Rupkatha Manzoor, a computer science graduate. They provided emotional as well as financial support when needed.
His network expanded when Bhuiyan met his mentor, Rafiqul Islam Razu, a local entrepreneur who guided him through the complex legal and operational processes of opening a franchise. From securing trade licenses to hiring staff, Razu’s hands-on advice was instrumental in turning Bhuiyan’s dream of business ownership into a reality.
Bhuiyan now calls the connections he made in Regina his Canadian family.
Embracing entrepreneurship and giving back
From early morning inventory checks to managing a team of 7 employees, Bhuiyan has embraced the rigorous demands of entrepreneurship. He also views his franchise as a platform for civic involvement and not just a source of income.
He enjoys giving back by sponsoring local sports teams, supporting neighbourhood schools, and organizing community events at the café. “The community and the people gave me so much in all these years, and I’m trying to give back,” he says. “Every day, when I see a smile on everyone’s face, it feels like I’m giving my thank-you back to them.”
His appreciation is apparent when he reflects on his growth. "When a guy comes here from a different country and doesn’t know how to speak to someone, that guy spends three to four months learning a new language and meeting new people. The level of confidence he gets is incredible."
U of R supports lifelong learning journey
Bhuiyan’s educational journey is still in full swing. After he completed the EAP Program in April 2018, he went on to earn a Certificate in Administration – Level 2 through CCE. Currently, he is pursuing a Certificate in Local Government Administration and says his plan is to eventually graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration through the Hill Levene School of Business.
