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ALUMNI STORIES

Maintaining a tradition of professional service

Fazal Khan

Registrar and CEO, College of Opticians of Ontario

Fazal is a former Seneca professor and was a 2014 Premier's Award nominee.

FAZAL KHAN IS QUICK TO POINT OUT the many opportunities available to those pursuing a career as an optician. This enthusiasm is backed by his own experiences.

When Fazal started Seneca's Ophthalmic Dispenser (now Opticianry) program, attending night classes, he was also completing a bachelor's degree in management at the University of Toronto.

Today, he is the Registrar and CEO, College of Opticians of Ontario, which regulates the opticianry profession. He has spent nearly a decade with the College, also serving as President.

He came to this profession honestly. His father operated two optical stores and, like Fazal, was President of the College of Opticians of Ontario.

While at Seneca, Fazal operated his family's third store. His efforts were recognized with the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur award. He says he was drawn to the program for its combination of science, health and business.

“Running a business by day and studying by night, I could apply practical knowledge to the course and similarly, my course work to the business,” says Fazal. “It created good synergy.”

Since graduation, Fazal's relationship with Seneca has remained strong. He has taught in the Opticianry program, and he was recognized as a Premier's Award nominee in 2014.

“I wanted to give back because I enjoyed my Seneca experience immensely,” says Fazal. “I understand the course material and take pleasure in seeing the light come on for others.”

22 RED 2015