Ibrahim Tahmid

When asked what Self-Understanding and Integrity mean to him, Ibrahim Tahmid said, “Self-understanding starts with setting a standard for myself — one rooted in awareness of my strengths, limitations, and values. Integrity means being part of a community where we can leverage each other’s strengths and achieve more collectively than we ever could alone.”

When Ibrahim came to Virginia Tech to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science, he wasn’t sure what specialty he wanted to study. One day, he heard a presentation on virtual reality in Torgersen Hall.

Ibrahim said, “I had no knowledge of how virtual reality worked back then, but by the end of that session, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Ibrahim fiercely perseveres. When he made his mind up to study virtual reality, he dedicated himself to it, identifying areas of weakness and setting goals to strengthen them.

“I know I may not always be the smartest person in the room, but I want to be smarter than I was yesterday,” he said. “That way of thinking taught me to walk up to the smartest person in the room, ask for help, and learn from them.”

In 2022, Ibrahim became an officer in the Association of Bangladeshi Students, an organization that played a pivotal role in helping him transition to life at Virginia Tech.

Through the program, he received a grant to support two events in collaboration with the Cranwell International Center. The events highlighted the relationship between language and cultural identities, promoting intercultural awareness.

The success of the events led to the Association of Bangladeshi Students winning an Outstanding Program Award in 2023.

Ibrahim has also served as a dedicated member of the Global International Student Ambassador Program. He has led hiking excursions, organized check-ins, and served as a welcoming presence at events.

In recognition of the unique experiences that many international students navigate, he launched “Home Beyond Home,” a photography exhibit that explored students’ interpretations of home and identity.

“This initiative highlighted Ibrahim's ability to bridge personal and community experiences, turning individual stories into a collective celebration of identity and belonging,” said his nominator.

The exhibit combined Ibrahim’s passion for photography with his value of empathy. He firmly believes that every person has a story to tell, and the stories he has encountered at Virginia Tech have deepened his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives around him.

After completing his Ph.D., Ibrahim hopes to contribute to research that makes a real-world impact by helping people connect, learn, and grow through immersive technologies.

His nominator said, “True self-understanding requires a deep connection between personal insights and how we choose to serve communities. Ibrahim exemplifies this through the creative, thoughtful, and impactful projects he has launched in service to the community.”

For his boundless empathy in pursuit of building common ground, Student Affairs is proud to present the Aspire! Award for Pursue SELF-UNDERSTANDING and INTEGRITY to Ibrahim Tahmid.