Information Technology Services (ITS)
IT@UofT People — Sarosh Jamal
Published on: August 24, 2022
The backbone of any successful team is its hard-working people. The University of Toronto’s Information Technology Services (ITS) unit is no exception. It is made up of a diverse range of people with an even greater diversity in their interests and talents.
In this segment, entitled “IT@UofT People,” we will get to know our IT@UofT team across the tri-campus community and find out more about their hidden or not-so-hidden talents and/or pursuits outside of work.
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Sarosh holding his freshly cut hair, which will be donated to the Angel Hair for Kids program.
Name: Sarosh Jamal
Department: Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration, ITS
Title: Infrastructure Architect & Operations Lead, DevOps team
How long have you worked at U of T?
An incredible 16 years, but my link to U of T is much longer and more multi-faceted than just work. It’s been a source of education, community and support to me and my family for many decades.
What is your secret or not-so-secret hobby outside of work?
I don’t have traditional hobbies, but I truly believe in taking full ownership of one’s community and pursuing opportunities for learning, growing and interacting with others within it. That is how I like to spend my time outside of work. I believe that if you can give heart and focus to where you spend most of your time, you help make it a good thing for everybody.
My most recent (current) fundraiser is for the Canadian Cancer Society. This is a cause near and dear to many of us. I particularly want to ensure that the proceeds from this event largely support childhood cancer research. It’s so easy to feel powerless in fighting this disease, but what better way to channel this frustration into something positive than by pushing for support and collective action.
What made you decide to embark on this fundraising journey?
Throughout the pandemic, while initially delaying my haircuts (like what else was anyone gonna do?), I used the opportunity to grow it out long enough so that it could be of potential use to organizations like A Child’s Voice Foundation that runs the Angel Hair for Kids program. I have done this once before but am continuously motivated by inspirational friends who’ve made similar commitments over the years (Ryan Cerrudo at UTM and Vik Chadalawada in ITS).
I’ve made light of my appearance to colleagues and friends because it is of little consequence, but the opportunity to help people consider medical causes and encourage them to do similar good is invaluable.
How can we help?
The community can help by contributing to my fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society to help provide cancer patients with the support they need in the fight against cancer.
How did your interest in community building and volunteering begin?
I have been involved in volunteer work at U of T for as long as I can remember, starting with serving as a Blue Crew member for the University of Toronto Student Union during my undergrad, setting up social groups in my grad year, volunteering at the Universities Fair as alum or fundraising for United Way as both a student ambassador and staff chair.
Who/what are your inspirations?
During the last couple of years, I have found that serving on several governing-sub bodies at the University has been a helpful source of social energy and engagement with various functions and groups throughout the University. These boards and governing meetings are a constant reminder of the complexity and diversity of this place, reaffirming a model of service and continuity that allows us all to fulfill important community needs.