Warisha has achieved a Bachelor of Technology specializing in Network Security Applications Development and a Diploma in Computer Information Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology . She has worked on a number of projects, including a capstone project—a Google browser extension that checks phishing URLs in real time using machine learning.

Currently, she is exploring another passion: literature, humanities, and writing, as a first-year student at Capilano University pursuing an Associate’s degree in English with the intention of transferring into a Bachelor's program upon completion. Through her studies, she has developed a keen interest in philosophy, psychology, women’s studies, and anthropology. Warisha hopes to combine her education in tech with her passion for literature and writing to pursue a profession in technical or grant writing, creative writing, or tech journalism.

Additionally, she previously worked as a document management technician at Firefly Software, where she combined her technical writing skills with her academic knowledge. As a document management technician, she managed over 50 document repositories, edited grammar, archived old documents, and wrote how-to guides for products and software, as well as articles for the company’s knowledge base. She also provided support to both technical and non-technical teams via email and Microsoft Teams. These experiences have sharpened her oral and written communication skills.

In her free time, Warisha enjoys reading, doing mehndi/henna art, spending time with friends and family, painting, writing poetry, gardening, and running. One of her goals for this year is to run a full marathon, which she plans to complete in October at the Royal Victoria Marathon.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the land that I currently reside on, Surrey, which is located on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen first nation, and other nations who have lived on and cared for this land. I would also like to acknowledge that Capilano University in North Vancouver is situated on the “unceded territories of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), shíshálh (Sechelt), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam) Nations” (Capilano University). 

By acknowledging the land, we begin the process of reconciliation. We not only recognize the ongoing presence, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous communities today, but the impacts of colonialism which led to land dispossession, cultural suppression and erasure, and assimilation efforts through residential schools where Indigenous children were taken from their families and forced to attend schools administered by the state and church. 

For me, living on dispossessed territory means that I have a responsibility to understand the history of the land, read Indigenous literature such as Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and that my relationship with the land is one of respect and care. Some other ways that we can support Indigenous communities is by supporting Indigenous led initiatives such as right to self-governance and education by donating, attending events, volunteering, or supporting Indigenous businesses and artwork.