On paper, Stanlee Andres Fabian (Information Technology Services ’26) is an exceptionally accomplished 21-year-old. During his time at SAIT, Fabian has not only excelled in his academic studies, but he’s also helped reform the campus’ enterprise network infrastructure during an internship with BGIS and served as the Co-Director for Research, Development and Innovation at Enactus SAIT. He’s also participated as a mentor and volunteer for numerous tech groups and events at SAIT, the TELUS Spark Science Centre and Google Developer Group YYC, among others.

In the summer of 2025, Fabian participated in the Enactus Bentley iTwin4Good Challenge, where he co-developed a project called HydraHerder, an AI-enabled digital twin solution designed to monitor Calgary's water infrastructure to facilitate predictive maintenance. The project was the Canadian National Runner-Up and was accepted into the League of Innovators accelerator program.

Beneath Fabian’s high-impact résumé lies a powerful undercurrent of relentlessness, courage and integrity coupled with altruism and generosity. Everything Fabian does — from the interpersonal to the technical — is rooted in a desire to give back to his community and honour his family’s legacy of selfless hard work and sacrifice.

Fabian was raised by his grandparents in Bocaue, Bulacan, in the Philippines, after his parents left the country to support the family. “My grandfather is my hero and my role model,” Fabian says. “Early in the morning, we would get up to plant flowers along the riverbed just to make it look nice for the neighbourhood. He always stressed the importance of community work.”

The area where Fabian grew up is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Devastating seasonal floods regularly put his childhood home underwater. Experiencing routine natural disasters shaped Fabian’s sense of responsibility to his community, his passion for sustainable technology and his solutions-oriented approach to work.

In September 2009, tropical storm Ondoy hit the region, quickly followed by typhoon Pepeng in early October, bringing heavy rains that would ultimately take nearly 1,000 lives. “I have a very vivid memory of my grandfather carrying me on his shoulders because the water was up to his chest,” says Fabian. “He brought me to a house on higher ground where all of the kids stayed while the adults went out to rescue everyone — there were no rescue services.”

The incident gave Fabian a profound understanding of the Filipino concept of bayanihan, the spirit of communal unity and cooperation that motivates people to help others without expecting anything in return. Fabian carries that spirit into his work. “The flood in 2009 made me realize that everyone has the power to do something positive for the community, so why not do it?” he says.

While still a young student himself, Fabian began volunteering with his church, travelling to remote areas to teach children theology, reading, and public speaking skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in pursuit of better educational opportunities. During his high school years in the UAE, he put his passion for sustainability into action by spearheading a research project that supported conservation efforts in the delicate Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi.

Fabian’s decision to move to Canada and attend SAIT in 2024 was inspired by a desire to get hands-on experience with the global standards in technology. Once again, he attributes his interest in STEM to his grandfather, who worked on boats and, despite having no formal education, brought encyclopedias back home from his travels. 

At SAIT, Fabian has challenged himself to grow and become more confident in his abilities. “Everyone here is willing to share knowledge. It’s helped me stop doubting myself,” he says.

Winning the President’s Medal has reinforced Fabian’s belief in himself and strengthened his resolve to pursue meaningful work that makes a difference. The award also reflects his entire family’s efforts, past and present, that have contributed to his current success.

“I’ve noticed that other people my age tend to limit themselves. I hope those who see that I’ve won this award feel inspired to think, ‘Why not me?’” says Fabian. “What are the chances that — given that I grew up with just enough to get by, living in the Philippines with no connections — I would be sitting here telling my story? I choose to bet on myself because my parents and grandparents worked so hard for me, and I can’t waste that.”