Uzma Jabeen comes Jamshoro all the way from Upper Hunza, Gilgit, a far-flung north end of Pakistan. Currently, shehas finished her MS in IWRM and is working as research associate/assistantat USPCAS-W. She has a set vision for her future and goals. Her motivation for higher education comes within, as she belongs to a family and place where girls’ education is highly appreciated. Her father runs a small business and partakes in farming for earning, which is usual for people of Gilgit-Baltistan regiondue to its geographical location.
Uzma’s educational journey goes as her basic schooling and matriculation is from her village upper Hunza and then she went to central Hunza where she did her intermediate. After completing her schooling from Hunza agha khan higher secondary school, she went for international Islamic university, Islamabad, for her bachelors. Next, Uzmawanted to go for post-graduation and started a search for a fully-fledged scholarship while not burdening her father, who according to her is doing all in his means to support the family along with education of her siblings. For instance, she completed her bachelors with the help of two merit based scholarships, she aimed to look for scholarship for Master as well. In the searching phase for suitable Master’s Scholarship, she went for multiple internships for short courses and intervals inside Islamabad and Gilgit. It was when shefound outabout USPCAS-W fromher co-worker Imran, who is also one of the graduate students of the center. For Uzma, anew heard center offered the sort of scholarship that she was looking for at that time. Not onlythat, the center summoned all the rational and basic opportunities for the students – especially the females- that appeals themsuchas; completeScholarship,free accommodation, moreover, there was a likelihood for her to go abroad and have a fascinating foreign experience. Her next step was to apply for the admission in MS, she applied and got the admission in the field of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) at the center.
Now that she has completed her MS degree, Uzma seemsentirely satisfied with her decision to join the center. For her, the center is full of learning experiences. She finds practical approach amalgamated in teaching practices, which is a charm for any student looking for a learning.
She states;
I have learnt a lot. It’s much better! Call it facilities, atmosphere, quality of education or even if we talk about teachers’ cooperation with the students. Along with the offered accommodation and other opportunities, I am satisfied here. No doubt! I have learnt in my previous institutes as well, but before it was more about theory. At the center, you are given the exposure that indulges you in learning, I have learnt some latest modelling techniques and advance statistical softwares for example; I will be honest, I studied about GIS and RS before as well, but I didn’t know the application of the software. Now I have learnt here!
She finds overall facilities at the center efficient and sees faculty of the center highly cooperative as she says “… to reassure that you work they come to you,and motivate you to excel.”
About gender neutral policies and practices of the center, Uzma elaborates the outcomes asboth girls and boys are treated equally in terms of opportunities and chances at the center. For her bearing, the atmosphere given to the females involved in the work/officeactivities at the center is comfortable, she also feels that center enabled her to study and work proficiently in ease,says “… Working environment is good and being a girl, even if I come at the center on the holidays for my work, I feel safe and relaxed. Girls are encouraged at the center, no doubt and they must be.”
For Uzma, it is reminding achievement that shehas reached at the place where she completed her Masters. Plus, she has an inspirational US exchange experience, in her stirring tone adds, “Everything there was great and was inspiring; the place, teachers and their teaching styles, atmosphere and everything. Teaching style and atmosphere at exchange program was what I liked the mostas we didn’t have to go through exams, onlyhad weekly tasks and assignment with deadlines to follow.”Besides, the local community in US revealed to her as warm and welcoming, “Through this visit,I had a chance to explore the local community and their diverse culture like I attended various cultural activities, events and visited many states, among them the most exciting memory is my time spent in New York. I liked interacting and mixing with the people, because they were polite and welcoming”, shareswhile recalling.
She plans to look for a job in coming years. Afterwards, she is interested in pursuing her PhD. Her US exchange experience has left her in an influence that she wants to avail a chance to study abroad for PhD, says“It was my first international experience and went great, though had tough time but overall it was remarkable. It was appealing, I am motivated to come back USA again in future for PhD.”
She concludes: “I believe that there are obviously many future opportunities, if one looks for them. It depends on the individual that how passionately and constructively he/sheworks to avail the chances. I came that far and achieved things to my best. I see, my overall experience of studying and working at the center has transformed my personality in a way that now I am more clear and passionate to pursue my career as a sound professional in the field of water.”
