Whether fires or firewalls, Algonquin College student stands ready

Posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2016

Samir Al-Rubaiy

Samir Al-Rubaiy is a first-year Computer Systems Technician student at Algonquin College, and his goal is to study computer security. Wednesday night, Samir was recognized for security skills of a different kind.

This past December, Samir saved twin toddlers from a fire in his apartment building. The toddlers’ mother, Bernadette, was accidentally locked out of her apartment when one of the children closed the door behind her.

“Bernadette needed help. My children play with her children. I didn’t really think about what I was doing. You just do these things,” Al-Rubaiy told the Ottawa Citizen at the time.

Last night, as part of the second annual Cyber Security Days conference at Algonquin College, Samir was presented with an award by one of the conference’s sponsors Cisco, recognizing his bravery.

“I congratulate Samir for demonstrating true heroism and community service,” said Subir Chadha, Vice President, Ottawa sales for Cisco Canada. “We are all in awe of Samir’s courage during the events that transpired last December”, added Craig Delmage, Senior Manager of Information Security and Data Privacy at Algonquin College, and conference chair. “I am honoured and proud that Samir is determined to join the cyber security profession once he graduates.”

The funds from Cisco’s award will be used to help cover Al-Rubaiy’s education at Algonquin College.


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