Abdul Ladha holds an honors degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC). He graduated in 1985 following his academic term at UBC and the Tri-University Meson Facility (TRIUMF), a nuclear physics research laboratory.
SPARK Initiatives
In 2017, Abdul founded Spark Global Philanthropy Canada (Spark) to promote and teach strategic philanthropic practices that empower youth to understand and navigate charity. The non-profit federally registered society is dedicated to promoting philanthropy, charitable activities, strategic donating and social impact investing worldwide.
Spark assembles groups of highly motivated students who aspire to be future innovators and leaders. Participants complete a Stanford based course on philanthropy, accompanied by a series of seminars delivered by some of the country’s leading philanthropists. (Frank Giustra, Pierre Lassonde, John Volken, Ian Telfer, President Clinton, etc.)
Each student graduates with a foundation of their own, along with an allocation of dollars that they are accountable for to donate, amplify and measure.
The Spark program marks the beginning of each student’s ability to purposefully and productively contribute to society. First, by making money, and secondly giving it away in a well thought out productive manner. Taking the long view, this program will no doubt change each participant’s very outlook on life.
www.sparkfoundation.com
In 2014 and 2015, Abdul has spearheaded a number of initiatives to benefit social programs that aid children and youth. These include the Lift The Children society, The Dalai Lama Center (DLC) for Peace and Education, Ceena Welfare and the John Volken Academy.
Lift the Children is dedicated to seeking out the world’s most destitute children and helping provide them with the necessities, training, and inspiration they need to develop, grow, and become self-sufficient.
Lift the Children Works in some of the poorest slums in the world to provide aid DIRECTLY to orphanages caring for their children. 100% of all donations go directly to the orphanages. Lift the Children is inclusive of all faiths and cultures, and is committed to feeding and educating children and to LIFT them out of poverty. We are currently helping support over 10,000 children in more than 80 orphanages in East Africa and have begun to implement long term self- sustainability programs with a goal of educating the poor out of poverty.
Our strategy is to reorient the agriculture and farming systems currently in use towards methods of food production that are highly productive, sustainable, and drought resistant. Over time, these programs will help to provide mass poverty reduction through education. Our goal is to educate over 2 million people in permaculture over the next 5 years.
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The Dalai Lama Center (DLC) for Peace and Education is a non-religious, non-political, non-profit organization. As one of only four organizations worldwide personally endorsed by the Dalai Lama, the DLC has embarked on a strategy of supporting, encouraging, and leading a rising tide of awareness and action toward educating the hearts of children.
Working with leaders in education, science, government, business, and philanthropy who understand the value of advancing heart-mind well- being, the Dalai Lama Center is focusing on programs that educate, convene, advise, and apply research.
THE VISION: to cultivate a vibrant culture of peace and dialogue where caring communities nurture compassionate, thriving, socially-responsible children who rise to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.
| Dalai Lama Luncheon |
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CEO – Dexton Technologies and Rapidfusion.com
In 1985 he founded the Dexton Computer Corporation, a technology provider dedicated to the installation and support of network systems. The company subsequently evolved into Dexton Technologies Corporation and was rated in the Top 100 Public Companies List, ranking 2nd place in honorable mentions for a 900% asset growth in 1998. The company also ranked in Profit 100 and Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies list in 2000.
CEO – Ableauctions.com
In 1999 he became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ableauctions.com Inc. and directed the development of technology to broadcast auctions live over the Internet. Today, with the experience of over 3,000 auctions, Ableauctions is the pre-eminent supplier of live online auction technology and services to some of the world’s most prestigious galleries and industrial auction houses and operates one of the largest eBay Live Auction sales and support centers in the world.
It is the only auction technology company to be endorsed by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and has partnered with eBay Live Auctions in streamlining the process of broadcasting auctions real-time on the Internet. Ableauctions’ technology enables auction houses to open their establishments to the world by allowing online bidders to participate in real-time on the auction floor.
As a liquidator, Ableauctions also purchases overstocks, order cancellations and discontinued products from major manufacturers and importers, then sells the merchandise to major retail chains, other resellers or the public.
Founder – Overture Development
Abdul is the founder and chairman of Overture Development Corporation, a property investment and development company whose driving force is a core of dedicated, hands-on management professionals whose experience spans decades of major construction in commercial and residential development. Through clear vision, innovation, progressive business practice and a highly committed team, the group has built up a large portfolio in the office and residential sectors since 1995, and is committed to developing the strategically located and economically viable sites.
Vancouver Sun article (PDF) 2009 Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce – Business Person of the Year
On January 31, 2009, Abdul was awarded the 2009 Business Person of the Year by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.
Nominees for this high commendation demonstrate excellence in business development and organizational leadership, and are defined as outstanding role models in the business community, as defined by their talent, expertise, dedication and performance.
His nomination included mention of his vision,dedication and generous funding of both local and international causes.
“Abdul received this award because of his keen sense of social corporate responsibility, exemplary know-how in running a business and a deep knowledge of how to give back to the community in a sustainable and meaningful way”
— Jill Cook, Executive Director, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.
University of British Columbia
Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre
Abdul is recognized as one of the leading contributors to the University of British Columbia. The UBC alumnus is a lifetime member of the President and Chancellor’s Circle. In consideration of his extensive support and funding to the University, the Department of Science and the Student Undergraduate Society, the institution’s board elected to name the latest science building the “Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre”.
Over the last decade, Abdul has supported to the University’s in variety of ways. In 2007, he provided the vision, funding and energy to create a high-tech state-of-the-art collaborative centre for students to share and exchange ideas with a vision of it serving as an indispensable tool in enriching a student’s academic term.
Great Trekker Award
In 2007, The Alma Mater Society (AMS), representing more than 42,000 students at the University of British Columbia, selected Abdul and his wife Hanifa as recipients of one of its the Great Trekker award, the highest award that the AMS grants to UBC alumni. The Great Trekker award commemorates the spirit of the Great Trek of 1922, in which UBC’s students took the initiative in getting the government to build a new UBC campus.
The award is intended to honour a UBC graduate who has achieved eminence in his or her chosen field of activity, made a worthy and special contribution to the community, demonstrated a continued interest in UBC, and rendered particular service to the undergraduate students. The recipient of the first award, in 1950, was Joseph Brown, one of the original Great Trekkers of 1922. Subsequent recipients have included Prime Minister John Turner, noted broadcaster Pierre Berton, and philanthropists Cecil and Ida Green.
In 2007, the AMS decided that the recipient should be someone who has done something in accordance with the theme of “Giving Back to the Student Experience”, and has chosen Abdul Ladha and his wife as the recipients. Given Mr. Ladha’s remarkable generosity, which has led to the building of the Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre and various other projects, there can be no alumnus who better exemplifies the spirit of this award.
UBC Centenary Scholarship Program
In 2007, to mark the University of British Columbia Centenary – a celebration of 100 years of rich academic and community achievements, the Ladha family announced the granting of 100 scholarships to rural, aboriginal and low income high schools students, and students with disabilities. These scholarships, each worth $1,000, will be awarded on behalf of Science World and the University of British Columbia to students by UBC AMS students. The goal of the scholarships is to encourage a continuing interest in science at a critical point of career choice, contributing to increased interest in selecting academic studies that lay the groundwork for the inventions and discoveries that will move our society forward in the future.
Abdul Ladha Constructive Endowment Fund
Abdul established the Abdul Ladha Constructive Endowment Fund at the University of British Columbia to:
- Fund scholarships for students entering the University of British Columbia.
- Fund joint initiatives with Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
- Recognize achievement at regional high schools.
The capital of the Fund, held by the University of British Columbia, is invested and reinvested by the University with the objective of maintaining the real capital value of the Fund and generating a sufficient flow in income to fund properly the purpose of the Endowment.
The LADHA-ALTA Project
Abdul donated 300 computers and one of the world’s fastest computers, an SGI-CRAY supercomputer, to the department of Nuclear Physics and Astronomy of the University of British Columbia to launch the LADHA-ALTA Project (the Ladha Family and the Alberta Large Time-Coincidence Array Project). The project is part of a worldwide effort to develop an array of detectors to conduct high energy cosmic ray research.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Abdul has been nominated for the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the prestigious CATA (Canadian Advanced Technology Association) Public Sector Leadership Award. CATA represents organizations with approximately 60 billion dollars in revenue and a work force of over 200,000 people.
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The Federal Business Development Bank of Canada recently also awarded him Entrepreneur of The Year. This award, presented by the Federal Business Development Bank of Canada, Heritage Canada, and Multiculturalism Canada, recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs born outside of Canada who demonstrate excellence in Business, Personal Leadership and Community Involvement.
Children’s Care
The Ladha family is a strong contributor to numerous charities and projects that promote the well-being of disadvantaged children and youth world-wide. Amongst the many causes the Ladha family supports are:
- Nelson Mandela Foundation (4)
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (1,2)
- Worldwide Orphans Foundation (6)
- SHERP – Samburu Handicap Education & Rehabilitation Program (Kenya) (3,5)
- Ceena Health and Welfare Services (Northern Areas, Pakistan)
- Aga Khan Development Network
Community Philanthropy
The Ladha family is a generous supporter and contributor to the Canucks Place Children’s Hospice, B.C. Children’s Hospital, the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI) program, the Aga Khan Development Network programs and Science World.
Science World
Abdul is a member of the Science World’s Champions Circle Club and also serves on the Board of Governors for Telus World of Science. The Telus World of Science is a non-profit community resource and a registered charity that endeavors to touch the lives of thousands of children every year. Through its exhibits, interactive science demonstrations, school workshops, community outreach programs and many films, Science World reaches nearly 700,000 children and their families every year. With an annual budget of $9 million, it has played a vital role in the lives of children for over twenty years.
BACI
Abdul also serves as an honorary Board Member on Sharing Our Future Society, the fundraising arm of BACI.
BACI provides services to infants, children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities in the Burnaby and Tri-cities areas. Children and youth services include an infant development program, child care, out-of-school care, activities for teenagers, and family support and advocacy. Adult services include residential placements and respite, subsidized housing, life skills, a social club, community access day programs, and family support.
The Lions Gate Hospice and The Lions Gate Hospital Foundation
Abdul and his wife contributed significantly to fulfill the vision of the North Shore Hospice becoming a world-class facility. He is key Benefactor for the Lions Gate Hospice that bears the “Akber and & Gulnar Ladha Great Room”, in memory of his parents. He contributed the vision, funded the technology and donated a library consisting of a veritable collection of rare books by and about some of the foremost philosophers and intellectual and spiritual thinkers.
He also contributes to Canuck Place, a world-class pediatric palliative care system that enriches the lives of children and families facing life threatening conditions in British Columbia. The Hospice provides 24 hour / 7 days a week care by nurses and physicians in addition to family care, end-of-life, pain and symptom management, school music and play therapy, recreation opportunities and counseling services. It is a caring, innovative children’s hospice and community-based service that fully embraces the life of each child and family. Canucks Place provides leadership in improving pediatric palliative care regionally, nationally and internationally through collaboration, education and research.
BC Children’s Hospital
BC Children’s Hospital provides expert care for the province’s most seriously ill or injured children, including newborns and adolescents. The Ladha family is Member of the Circle of Care program.
Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institution-building and the promotion of economic development. It is dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.
Member of Council – Hoover Institute, Stanford University
Abdul is currently a Member of Council at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. The Hoover Institution is a leading academic think tank of world-class scholars working on some of the most challenging public policy issues facing the United States and other nations. The Institution’s overarching goals are:
- To understand the causes and consequences of economic, political and social change.
- Analyze the effects of government actions relation to public policies.
- Generate and disseminate ideas directed at positive public policy formation using reasoned arguments and intellectual rigor.
- To convert conceptual insights into practical policy initiatives judged to be beneficial to society.
Member of Council – Hoover Institute, Stanford University
In March 1997, Abdul Ladha became a founding Member of the Women’s B.A.N.K. Development Group. This group has applied for a charter to operate as a virtual bank to be known as the Women’s Bank of Canada. He also is a contributing member of the Women’s B.A.N.K. Society, whose goal is to create economic equality for women around the world and particularly in Canada. The society is dedicated to implementing programs which close the social and economic gaps between men and women.
Founding Director of CITA
He is the Founding Director of CITA – The Canadian Institute for Technological Advancement, an organization dedicated to developing Canada’s technological entrepreneurs sponsored by the UBC, Simon Fraser University, the World Trade Center, Ernst & Young, and some 60 corporations and institutions.
CITA is dedicated to developing Canada’s top technological entrepreneurs. This is a landmark achievement since it is the first time these academic institutions, The Vancouver Board of Trade and World Trade Centre have co-operated in a joint venture of this caliber.
| Robert Noon Executive Director, Vancouver Board of Trade |
Dr. Fraser Mustard President, Founders’ Network |
Abdul Ladha Chairman & CEO, CITA |
Dr. David Vogt Director, Science World |
Firoz Rasul President & CEO, Ballard Power |
Dr. David Strangway President, Univ. of British Columbia |