Meet Our Team

After obtaining degrees in Computer Sciences and Electronics Engineering, and working in the industry for several years, Sajjad went on to launch Optyyl Technologies, an IT Business in the UK.  With a passion for education, he purchased Lincolns College in the UK and then Focus College in Canada. Sajjad was instrumental in bringing a standardized system of education to Canada. 

In 2017, Sajjad joined CanScribe Career College and co-launched Weave Enterprises, a start-up tech company which uses the resources of Optyyl Technologies. His passion for charitable work and helping others motivated him to co-found HELPUS.CARE with his business partner; a charity which focuses on Health, Education, Loans and Protection, to those in need around the world.

Colleen’s background is both in finance and marketing. After working for several years in the ad agency biz, she founded CanScribe in 2002, Docnito in 2010, joined Focus College in 2016, and co-founded Weave Enterprises in 2017. Away from the office, Colleen enjoys hiking in the Okanagan and playing different sports. She loves to travel and especially enjoys experiencing different cultures, exploring new lands and meeting the locals.

Passionate about volunteer work and giving back, Colleen spent 12 years coaching youth soccer, has sat on various non-profit boards, and has been involved in Angel investing. She has volunteered in orphanages and travelled to Nepal twice to build schools and sponsor micro-loans for women in need. Colleen and her business partner started their own charity called HELPUS.CARE, which focuses on Health, Education, Loans and Protection, around the globe.

Umar Farooq Durrani is a retired Lieutenant General. During his illustrious career of 38 years, he has held various Command positions to include Command of Brigades, an Armored Division, and a Strike Corps. His vast staff experience embraces the position of Brigade Major, Chief of staff of a corps and Vice Chief of General Staff.

Umar has also held various instructional positions at the most prestigious Defense Colleges and Universities of Pakistan Armed Forces. General Durrani has very rich experience in Human Resource Development and its application on the ground. He was also the Chief Executive of Pakistan’s Ordnance Factories which are a mega-conglomerate of Commercial and Operational Production Houses of defense-related equipment.

He is a Graduate of Command and Staff College and National Defense University. General Durrani has also undertaken courses at National Defense University, JFSC Norfolk, Virginia, USA as well as Cranfield University, Royal Military College of Science, UK.  He has authored numerous publications as well.

Umar is excited to be a part of the Focus College team and help students meet their personal and professional goals.

Born and raised in India, Ruchi is a certified Canadian Patent Administrator from the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, Ottawa. An IIM Kolkata alumnus, she completed a certification program in “Growth Strategies in Management” in Jan 2020. Ruchi immigrated to Canada in 2017 and completed Diploma in Immigration and Consulting from Ashton College, Vancouver. She has her doctoral degree in Wireless Communication from Thapar University, India.

She is a motivated and experienced School Advisor and Instructor with 18 years of experience, possessing the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and faculty. Ruchi is passionate about helping students achieve their academic and personal goals, having successfully provided counseling and guidance to a diverse student population. She is a subject matter expert in teaching best practices, participative learning, classroom management & curriculum development.

Ruchi has been in various front-line and senior management positions for almost two decades. Dr Ruchi has been working as Dean Research & Project Head for Atal Community Innovation Centre, a project granted by Niti Aayog, Government of India. Prior to this, Dr. Ruchi was working with Chandigarh University as Associate Director-Engineering.

She has 18 years of experience in teaching and research domains. She has 40 research publications in reputed international and national journals. Additionally, she has 8 published patents. She has also worked on various DST-funded projects. She has mentored a number of electronics as well as interdisciplinary projects. A team, under her guidance, secured 12th rank worldwide in the CANSAT 2017 competition in the final phase-out of 40 shortlisted teams. The event was organized by the American Astronautical Society, NASA/Goddard Space flight center, which was conducted in June 2017 at Stephenville, USA.

Joshua graduated from University with a Degree in Computer Science with Economics. He worked for 3 years as a Network and System Administrator for an oil and gas servicing company before moving to Canada to continue his career journey.

Josh works as the IT Support Specialist at Focus College and is always willing to take on new projects and help out in different departments, as the needs arise. 

Harmandeep Singh was born in the vibrant city of Mumbai, India. Currently, Harmandeep is pursuing a degree in BCIS at the University of the Fraser Valley. He has a diverse background in the education and immigration industry, having previously served as the Branch Head at a study abroad and immigration firm in Mumbai.

During his two years as the Branch Head, Harmandeep had the privilege of leading a team and overseeing the operations of the firm. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for guiding and assisting students in their educational journeys. Witnessing the transformative impact of studying abroad and the opportunities it provides, Harmandeep has found great fulfillment in helping students navigate the intricate processes involved in studying in foreign countries.

Motivated by his experience and the desire to further contribute to the educational field, he decided to expand his horizons and pursue a career as an Admissions Advisor. In May 2023, Harmandeep joined Focus College Abbotsford in this capacity and has been thoroughly enjoying this new chapter of his professional journey.

As an Admissions Advisor at Focus College Abbotsford, Harmandeep is able to leverage his prior experience and passion for assisting students. Harmandeep possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in studying abroad, including admissions requirements, visa procedures, and academic opportunities. This knowledge allows him to guide prospective students through the complex application process, answering their queries and providing them with the necessary information to make informed decisions.

Throughout Harmandeep’s career, he has honed essential skills such as effective communication, organizational proficiency, and problem-solving. These skills enable Harmandeep to establish rapport with students, understand their unique aspirations, and provide personalized guidance tailored to their individual needs. He is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring that students feel empowered to pursue their educational goals and fulfill their potential.

Angelo Stradiotto has been working in Law Enforcement for over 24 years and has held many different positions within his career. He has worked with both BC Corrections and BC Sheriffs Service as well as working for the Delta Police Department and finally settling in the Okanagan with Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement and with the West Kelowna Bylaw department. Angelo has experience instructing at the Justice Institute and internally with various agencies. He is an avid soccer player and holds both his certified coaching and refereeing certificates. He enjoys his time away from work with his wife and young son as well as riding his motorcycle whenever he can get away.

Prabhsharan Kaur, currently serving as a Student Services and Admission Advisor at Focus College, demonstrates an impressive 7+ years of experience in the education and information technology domains. Her professional journey is illuminated by a series of outstanding achievements, reflecting her unwavering dedication and value as a team player. With a solid educational foundation, holding a Master of Engineering in Computer Networks and a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science Engineering, Prabhsharan’s commitment to continuous learning is further exemplified by her extensive list of certifications, including the RHCSA and Cybersecurity Fundamentals. Her dedication to staying at the forefront of industry trends is further showcased by a range of specialized courses. In addition to her teaching role, she has established a notable presence in the research community through her noteworthy publications.

Prabhsharan’s journey in the education sector began as an Assistant Professor in the field of Computer Science, where she honed her pedagogical skills over more than 7 years. Her influence extended far beyond the classroom as she actively contributed to curriculum innovation, online instruction, and student assessments. She played a pivotal role in guiding fellow educators and shaping robust academic curricula, epitomizing her steadfast commitment to excellence in education. Her exceptional efforts led to her well-deserved promotion as the Departmental Quality Assurance Committee coordinator, reaffirming her position as a dynamic and adaptable team player.

In her current role, Prabhsharan remains deeply committed to enhancing the student experience, ensuring academic success, and fostering a supportive educational environment. Her wealth of experience and expertise in student service makes her an invaluable asset in facilitating a positive and enriching learning journey for all students at Focus College.