Tarun Bellani is University Canada West’s valedictorian for Fall 2024.
Tarun was born in Jhansi, a small town in India, and spent most of his youth in Mumbai-Pune. Growing up, his family didn’t have a lot of money so he was driven to study hard and learned how to become self-reliant to get ahead. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, formerly the University of Pune.
Tarun spent the last 12 years in progressive roles in industrial sales and business development in India. He was an account manager for an international firm and managed three important regions. Despite being in a good position and being considered for a promotion, he had saved up enough money and decided to follow his dream of pursuing an MBA in Canada.
It wasn’t an easy transition as he travelled to Vancouver on his own, leaving his family behind in India due to financial considerations. However, he greatly missed his wife Simran and young daughter Gunishka, who was only nine months old.
“For me, back to school in a new country meant going from engaging with top leaders in boardrooms to sitting alone in a small room, studying textbooks, grappling with assignments and missing home,” he said during his valedictory address. “I hit rock bottom more times than I care to count.”
Despite the challenges and being away from family, Tarun excelled in his studies and finished his degree with a 4.09 CGPA.
“UCW has been a fascinating school,” he said. “It has given me the platform to learn new concepts and the best part is that the professors here are working in top companies and give their insights into the business world from the perspective of the Canadian economy.”
He expressed gratitude to those professors for the guidance and was thankful for the friends he made at UCW as well as the unwavering support from his family. His success is deeply rooted in the unwavering support and encouragement of his parents, Kanhaiyalal and Rupa.
“I know I’m not alone in this. Every graduate sitting here today has faced their own challenges. Many moved to a new country, adjusting to a rigorous curriculum, balancing studies and finances, overcoming loneliness and still striving for excellence. Each of us has been tested and has triumphed in our own way,” he said during his speech.
Tarun has taken the lessons he’s learned and turned them into a role as a Business Development Specialist at Wainbee, the largest manufacturer of HPUs and aggregators for the global giant Parker Corporation.
Tarun has also learned the importance of giving back. He has supported less fortunate children in India by helping finance medical treatments with 5% of his income. Tarun also volunteered to help those in need of urgent medicine and oxygen cylinders during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In Vancouver, he shared the knowledge he acquired through his extensive experience in the business world making himself available to other students in the MBA program who required assistance to understand difficult concepts and topics.
Tarun shared some of the lessons he’s learned with the graduating class of Fall 2024.
“Stay adaptable in this ever-changing world, embrace challenges as opportunities and an inclusive and supportive environment nurtures talent,” he said.
