Yas Ranjbar: 'It's creating an understanding and respect'
As a student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), Yas Ranjbar knows how important diversity and inclusion is to the strength of a community.
By Tyler Schroeder“There’s a real need for a club at WCVM that recognizes the importance of learning from each other,” says Ranjbar, who serves as president of WCVM DIVERSE (Diversity and Inclusivity in the Veterinary Environment: Respect, Solidarity and Empowerment).
Since its creation in 2020, the student club has fostered an inclusive learning environment for all WCVM students regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Ranjbar, who is a queer person of color (QPOC), is Persian and was born and raised in Iran. Growing up with exposure to many animals, they were fond of spending time with cats and found a passion for caring for their “feline family.” Ranjbar immigrated to Canada at the age of 18, which has had its share of obstacles.
“I decided to flee my country for a chance of a new life and to pursue my dream of becoming a vet,” says Ranjbar, who settled in Vancouver, B.C. “Coming to a new country means learning a new language and culture but also making new connections and experiences that would be beneficial for applying to veterinary school.”
Ranjbar completed a Bachelor of Applied Animal Biology degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and gained valuable experience working with large animals during an eight-month rotation at the UBC Dairy Farm.
“It was an amazing experience — and definitely my first with cattle. I didn’t have any exposure to working with larger animals, so it was really important,” says Ranjbar.
After being accepted to the WCVM’s veterinary program in 2022, Ranjbar began researching student clubs at the veterinary college and found one that piqued their interest: “I read about a diversity club at the college and saw that one of the listed co-founders, Azy Behnam-Shabahang, had a Persian name. I was very surprised because I didn’t see a lot of Iranian names in general.”
Once Ranjbar arrived in Saskatoon, they met with Behnam-Shabahang who was looking for new students to take over the WCVM DIVERSE leadership once she completed her veterinary program in 2023.
After learning more about the club’s goals and activities, Ranjbar knew they would be the right fit as its president: “I’m so glad that I reached out and took over because this club is one of the best things to ever happen to me.”
Ranjbar and others involved in WCVM DIVERSE have planned and hosted a variety of social events at the college, including a cultural potluck that featured traditional food from the diverse backgrounds of the club’s members. The group has also strived to highlight cultural celebrations and traditions to encourage public interaction and awareness among members of the WCVM community.
“We’ve set up tables for events like Persian New Year and Chinese New Year where we have traditional snacks and information. A major thing for us is building awareness by having a presence.”
In April, the club also held its first DIVERSE Drag Party — including a drag show — for an appreciative audience.
“This was our biggest event that we’ve ever put on,” says Ranjbar. “We had over 80 people from our community show up to support a fun night and that’s been really encouraging.”
In September 2023, Ranjbar became the third recipient of the WCVM DIVERSE award — a $2,000 scholarship that the veterinary college introduced in 2022. The award, which is presented to the club’s leadership each year, aims to honour the students’ dedication and commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion and equity.
Ranjbar says that WCVM DIVERSE’s active presence in a variety of events has been crucial to the club’s goal of offering education to a wide range of people. Understanding the importance of diversity and inclusion also serves the club’s members as they prepare to interact with a diverse population of animal owners that includes many cultures and backgrounds.
“Everybody has their own personal story and journey, and so being aware of the needs of others can be crucial when working with clients of different backgrounds,” says Ranjbar. “It’s creating an understanding and respect so you can communicate and help them in the best way possible.”
Ranjbar is proud of the group’s efforts and is excited to see what the club will accomplish in the next academic year.
“The team has been so great and supportive with our vision, and we’ve seen an increase in people wanting to join WCVM DIVERSE. It’s a great feeling to know that there’s an interest in our cause and growth for the future,” says Ranjbar.