Nasra Agil

Nasra Agil (Somali: Nasra Cagil, Arabic: نصرة العقيل‎) is a Somali-Canadian civil engineer and entrepreneur.

Personal life

Agil was born in Somalia. She and her family later moved to Canada.^[1]

As a teenager, Agil helped launch various community service initiatives. She organized youth programs, survival skills workshops, educational plays and sporting activities.^[1]

For her tertiary education, Agil studied civil engineering at Ryerson University in Toronto. She graduated from the institution with Honours in 2005, earning a Bachelor of Engineering degree.^[1]

Career

Agil began her civil engineering career as a road inspector for the Transportation Services of the Toronto Municipality.^[1]

After a two year period, she moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which had evolved into one of the main global centers for major real estate development. In 2007, Agil joined Cansult, a Canadian engineering firm headquartered in Dubai and one of the largest industry operators in the Middle East. She later served as an advisor to Nakheel, the biggest real estate developer in the UAE. She was also a Senior Traffic Engineer for the Dubai Municipality's Roads Authority.^[1]

In 2012, Agil returned to Somalia to contribute to the local post-conflict reconstruction process. She subsequently opened the country's first dollar store.^[2]

Awards

In recognition of her societal work, Agil was presented the Duke of Edinborough Award by the Governor General of Canada. She also received various academic awards for her scholastic achievements while still an honours student, including the Golden Key International Honour Society Award.^[1]

References