Realize your future with TMU Graduate Studies
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Changing his story
Dominic Akena
Documentary Media MFA alumnus
When he was nine, Dominic Akena was abducted and forced to become a child soldier in Uganda. His story was featured in the 2007 Academy Award-nominated documentary War/Dance, directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix. Now, he’s telling his own stories as a documentary filmmaker.
What was it like being a child soldier?
It was terrifying. We were in constant fear of being beaten by the rebel soldiers who abducted my brother and me. After they separated us, I became emotionally numb but knew I had to go on. Eventually I managed to escape but I never saw my brother again. It still haunts me to this day.
Why did you want to be a documentary filmmaker?
When Sean and Andrea came to my village, I didn’t know what a documentary was. But I saw them use their vision and skills to share my story with the world, and that changed my life physically, mentally and emotionally. That showed me the power of film and I wanted to learn that for myself.
How was your TMU graduate experience?
TMU played a huge role in my journey. As a community, TMU is woke and very supportive of students in special situations like mine. [Former Documentary Media graduate program director] Katy McCormick really helped me with the application process as an international student, and is a big reason why I’m here today. TMU gave me the opportunity to tell my story and I’m very grateful for that.
What is your thesis film Safari about?
“Safari” is a Swahili term for human journey so it’s about my immigration story and what it means to be a child soldier. There’s the physical journey of trying to embrace life in a new culture and environment, and the mental journey of trying to compartmentalize my memories and deal with my trauma.
How did TMU Graduate Studies help you become career-ready?
My supervisors Dr. Gerda Kammerer and Dr. Blake Fitzpatrick were instrumental in my thesis film’s success. TMU Graduate Studies taught me to produce films with a level of confidence and comfortability I didn’t have before… I couldn’t see another purpose of going through all of that, other than to tell stories that matter.
Photo: Ian Patterson
“[TMU] is woke and very supportive of students in special situations like mine.”
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‘The journey continues to be amazing’
Cyrus Sundar Singh, Communication and Culture PhD student and Documentary Media MFA alumnus
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Shaping the future of health care
Kittie Pang, Master of Health Administration (Community Care) student
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A new look at the world’s oldest profession
Jenny Duffy, master’s alumna, Philosophy & Public Policy and Administration
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Making black-and-white more grey
Nathaniel Brunt, Communication and Culture PhD student and Trudeau Scholar
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Supporting women through building science
Building Science master's students
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Using drones to locate people with dementia
Dalia Hanna, Computer Science PhD student
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Building sustainability into architecture
Matthew Ferguson, Architecture master's student
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Flipping the script on Black men's pain
David Grant, Master of Social Work alumnus
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Standing up for immigrant women
Vathsala Illesinghe, Policy Studies PhD student
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Giving refugees a second chance
Adrienne Smith, Immigration and Settlement Studies MA alumna
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Opening possibilities with inclusive tech
Mauricio Meza, MBA-MTI alumnus
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Secret marathon meets social change
Kate McKenzie, Master of Digital Media alumna
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Transgender research meets transformed lives
Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work
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Cannabis research meets new potential
Steve Naraine, Molecular Science MSc
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Jewelry business meets digital disruption
Noura Sakkijha, Ted Rogers MBA
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City issues meet the big picture
Dr. Colin Robert Phillips, Policy Studies PhD
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Cancer research meets better patient care
Dr. Michael Kolios, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science
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Professional passion meets real-world opportunities
Jacky Au Duong, Master of Professional Communication
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Inspirational faculty meets innovative research
Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul, Chemical Engineering PhD
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Entrepreneurship meets accessibility
Maayan Ziv, Master of Digital Media alumna
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Life-changing experience meets long-term success
Adedoyin Adesemowo, MBA-MTI
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Ancient traditions meet empowered youth
Dr. Réal Carrière, Policy Studies PhD