Muhammad Iqbal

Professor Emeritus, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal received his undergraduate degrees from Punjab University, Pakistan and went on to receive his PhD from McGill University in 1965. Soon after he became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UBC and spent 30 years specializing in heat transfer and solar energy until his retirement in 1996.

Dr. Iqbal and his wife Diane Fast established the Maria-Helena Foundation in 1999 in support of young women, children, and impoverished communities in Pakistan. The foundation has built several self-sustaining primary schools, two libraries and a medical clinic. The foundation serves more than 3,900 students and provides over 80 community members with low-cost medical support. All of the hired teachers are women and two training centres have been established that teach young women how to sew and embroider.

Each year, Dr. Iqbal trains with a recent UBC Political Science graduate at the Maria-Helena Foundation. Dr. Iqbal is a humanitarian with a deep belief in educational equality and social justice.