Growing up in rural Pakistan, Dr. Iqbal saw the barriers his sisters faced in accessing education, and since has tirelessly sought to improve educational opportunities for poor children, particularly girls. With the Maria-Helena Foundation (named for his wife’s two grandmothers), Dr. Iqbal has raised over $1.8 million and contributed to the creation 35 schools (as well as two new primary school libraries), 178 scholarships for primary and secondary students – supporting the education of almost 4000 children. As part of the scholarship program, a special initiative supports girls in grade 9 and 10 studying sciences. Part of the Maria-Helena Foundation’s approach to reducing poverty has been improving access to medical care with the creation of a clinic in Lahore. The clinic treats 80 patients a day, providing under-privileged families with access to two physicians, a dentist and a pediatrician. As well as fundraising for the Maria-Helena Foundation, Dr. Iqbal also raised money to aid victims of the devastating 2010 flood in Pakistan by completing the Grouse Grind twenty times at the age of 80. His dedicated service has been recognized in 2012 with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, and in 2013 with the UBC Faculty Community Service Award.
Congratulations to Dr. Iqbal and to fellow 2025 awardee, Dr. Wendy Hall, Professor Emeritus of the UBC School of Nursing. Read more about the President’s Award for Distinguished Service at the UBC Emeritus College website.