Fueling the future with generosity

Born and raised in Surrey, B.C., Philip Huynh graduated this October from SFU’s Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) program, capping off an inspiring and unconventional undergraduate journey.

Completing several dynamic co-op placements, Philip also made the remarkable decision to create a student award in sustainable transportation before he graduated. His goal? To support current SEE students and spark innovation in transportation decarbonization.

Philip’s passion shines through when he speaks about his field. He’s already contributed to meaningful projects that are improving sustainability. He credits his parents’ steadfast support as a key to his success, noting their belief in his potential allowed him to freely explore his curiosity, ultimately inspiring him to “pay it forward.”

Philip’s story is one of gratitude, vision, and generosity—and he recently shared what compelled his unique decision to give back at this stage, and his hopes for a more sustainable future.

Firstly, congratulations on recently graduating! What made you choose the Sustainable Energy Engineering program at SFU?

Thanks! It was a mix of things. I knew I wanted to help the environment, and I enjoyed math and physics. I wanted to be challenged and work on cool projects. When I graduated high school, SFU’s SEE program was just opening—literally down the street from me in Surrey—so it felt like a no-brainer. I decided to go for it and see what happened, and it’s been an incredible ride ever since.

What inspired you to create an award in sustainable transportation while still completing your degree and why do you think it’s important to give back at this stage?

It was an idea came into my head and never really left. As I was finishing my degree and preparing for the next chapter, I realized how fortunate I’d been. I got to work on amazing projects like hydrogen-powered cranes or hydrogen-diesel semi-trucks. I had mentors that believed in me and helped me grow. I’m about to take on an amazing opportunity with my masters. I also didn’t have financial stress thanks to my parents’ support and was able to take extra time to finish my degree. I could pursue my education purely out of curiosity and passion. I saw that many of my peers, especially international students, were dealing with significant student loans. Creating the award felt like a meaningful way to give back to the program that helped shape me. I believe in leaving a place better than you found it, especially if it changed you for the better.

How do you hope this award will support future students and advance solutions for transportation decarbonization?

I hope it spreads awareness about sustainable transportation. It is a sector that’s challenging, diverse, and often overlooked, and it’s only going to grow. So, I would like to help generate interest for future engineers. It’s not a one-size-fits-all field; for example, while electric vehicles are popular, there are real questions about electricity supply, which is why hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also being explored. I hope the award encourages students to think critically and creatively about these kinds of solutions.

What impact do you envision this award having on the field of sustainable energy and transportation in the long term?

I hope the award helps build a community of passionate engineers. Right now, it’s planned to be awarded five times, but I’d love to expand that if possible. If even a few recipients go on to do amazing things, I’d be proud to have played a small part in their journey. That ripple effect is what I’m hoping for.

What is on your own horizon and what dreams do you have for the future of sustainable energy engineering?

I’m starting my master’s in mechanical engineering at UBC Okanagan, with a focus on combustion science. I’ll be a researcher at the Combustion for Propulsion and Power Laboratory. Combustion science applications are everywhere, like in marine, aviation, trucking, and industrial processes. It is honestly surreal—to be paid to light hydrogen on fire, shoot lasers into it, and write about it!

My dream is to see a future where we have an excess of hydrogen and engineers are needed to figure out the best way to use it. I’d love to be one of those application engineers, finding niche uses like the crane project I worked on!