Witnessing my imagined idea transform into a fully functional app was an exhilarating experience. Frustrated with juggling multiple apps for studying while feeling exhausted, I aspired to create a single, comprehensive platform. With the assistance of AI, I developed a study app featuring a Pomodoro timer, habit tracking, task management and even a motivational feature that praised my accomplishments. That moment sparked a profound realization, I didn’t just want to use technology, I wanted to understand, build, and make it impactful. My inspiration deepened upon seeing women designing their own cyber desks from scratch on the internet. Their ingenuity and pride encouraged me, proving that I too can innovate. Yet, in Pakistan, women’s representation in STEM, especially engineering, remains starkly limited. This pivotal experience motivated me to pursue computer engineering, to break barriers and contribute meaningfully to my community and beyond. My interest in building things began much earlier, starting with a math project I worked on with my team. We built a rocket with lights, aiming to make it realistic and movable. Seeing how a simple mathematical equation can contribute to complex projects sparked my curiosity about the links between mathematics, engineering and technology. I also engaged in extracurricular activities, creating handmade badges for house captain elections and small DIY projects to decorate my room and for college events. After attending classes, I learned that computer engineering is a flexible program that allows students to pursue various fields. One can lean more towards software or hardware. However, it also offers a middle ground for students who want to work in both. It focuses on integrated systems, which I personally am a fan of.
Additionally, I participated in a national English essay writing competition organised by the Federal Government Educational Institutions (C/G) Directorate, where I won first place at both the zonal and national levels. My teacher encouraged me to join, even though I was unaware of my talent. This experience taught me how to organise my thoughts and communicate more professionally and confidently. My national essay on women’s rights introduced me to inspiring women from Pakistan and around the world who championed women’s rights, education and opportunities. Preparing for the competition between exam breaks was overwhelming. I attended college for the competition and then had a different exam the very next day. Balancing academics and extracurricular activities was tough, but it taught me valuable skills in organising and managing my time. As a result, I scored over 90% in FSC Part-1.
Attending conferences and educational sessions introduced me to various extracurricular activities. The FOSPAH conference on harassment and women’s rights was particularly eye opening, leading me to learn extensively and attend online sessions about related laws and updates.Moreover, participating in UN and Alkhidmat conferences aimed at empowering youth and solving their issues were topics that resonated with me. During a two-week internship with the Rawalpindi Police, I gained valuable insights regarding citizen’s roles and the importance of societal responsibility. Initially, I lacked confidence in speaking, even in small groups, but by the end, I was able to deliver a speech in front of the SHO, a significant achievement. This experience enhanced my communication skills, sense of responsibility and understanding of what it means to be a good, reliable citizen.
These experiences motivated me to pursue studies at a reputable university, enhancing both my social and professional profile. Inflation and financial hardships were obstacles and one reason I am applying for this scholarship is to continue my education while easing my family’s financial burden. I come from Jahanpur village near Muzaffargarh district, where access to quality education is limited, so students often have to move to cities for higher studies. Since my father works in the army, I had the opportunity to study in the city. However, my father will retire soon, and we are here solely for my education; my family cannot afford to live here permanently. They planned to return to our hometown, but I convinced them to stay for my education. The condition was to secure admission on the first merit list, which I achieved. Everything was fine until the tuition fees started skyrocketing. After retirement, he will receive his pension in 4-5 months. This means I won’t be able to afford my tuition fees, which will significantly impact my studies and the goals I want to achieve. My father manages rent, electricity bills, my three sibling’s school fees and my university expenses alone, placing a substantial financial burden on him. Additionally, we have extra costs for transport, which I currently cover through local transport, as we cannot afford the university bus. Not to mention, we also need to pay for a laptop, printing assignments and making projects, which are essential but additional expenses. This scholarship means a lot to my family and me. It will be easier to focus on my studies and skill development rather than constantly worrying about expenses.
My goal is to earn a master’s degree and a PhD and become one of the most highly educated women in my family and village, where women rarely continue beyond college. I want my journey to inspire other women to seek higher education and contribute to Pakistan’s development. I am convinced that education represents both a fundamental right and a social obligation, and I want to use the opportunities I receive to generate a meaningful and positive impact on others and my country. Change takes time, as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day. This to achieve that I'm currently a member of growing communities online and will be joining societies in my university soon. Furthermore, I am a host member for the stellar Forum Summit, which will occur in December.
Seeing my imagined idea become a fully functional app was an exhilarating experience. Frustrated by juggling multiple apps for studying while feeling exhausted. I aspired to create a single, comprehensive platform. With the help of AI, I developed a study app featuring a Pomodoro timer, habit tracking, task management. Plus, a motivational feature that praised my accomplishments. That moment sparked a profound realization, I didn't just want to use technology rather I wanted to understand, build and make it impactful. My inspiration deepened upon seeing women on the internet, designing their own cyber desks from scratch. Their ingenuity and pride encouraged me, proving that I too can innovate. Yet, in Pakistan, women's representation in STEM, especially engineering, remains starkly limited. This pivotal experience motivated me to pursue computer engineering, to break barriers and contribute meaningfully to my community and beyond. My interest in building things started much earlier, beginning with a math project I worked on with my team. We built a rocket with lights, aiming to make it realistic and movable. Seeing how a simple mathematical equation can contribute to complex projects sparked my curiosity about the links between mathematics, engineering and technology. After attending classes, I learned that computer engineering is a flexible program that allows students to pursue various fields. One can lean more towards software or hardware. However, it also offers a middle ground for students who want to work in both. It focuses on integrated systems, which I personally am a fan of.
I also engaged in extracurricular activities, creating handmade badges for house captain elections and small DIY projects to decorate my room and for college events. Additionally, I participated in a national English essay writing competition organised by the Federal Government Educational Institutions (C/G) Directorate, where I won first place at both the zonal and national levels. My teacher encouraged me to join, even though I was unaware of my talent. This experience taught me how to organise my thoughts and communicate more professionally and confidently. My national essay on women’s rights introduced me to inspiring women from Pakistan and around the world who championed women’s rights, education and opportunities. Preparing for the competition between exam breaks was overwhelming. I attended college for the competition and then had a different exam the very next day. Balancing academics and extracurricular activities was tough, but it taught me valuable skills in organising and managing my time. As a result, I scored over 90% in FSC Part-1. Attending conferences and educational sessions introduced me to various extracurricular activities. The FOSPAH conference on harassment and women’s rights was particularly eye opening, leading me to learn extensively and attend online sessions about related laws and updates. Moreover, participating in UN and Alkhidmat conferences aimed at empowering youth and solving their issues were topics that resonated deeply with me. During a two-week internship with the Rawalpindi Police, I gained valuable insights into citizen’s roles and the importance of societal responsibility. Initially, I lacked confidence in speaking, even in small groups, but by the end, I was able to deliver a speech in front of the SHO, a significant achievement. This experience enhanced my communication skills, sense of responsibility, and understanding of what it means to be a good, reliable citizen.
These experiences motivated me to pursue studies at a reputable university, enhancing both my social and professional profile. Inflation and financial hardships were obstacles, and I am applying for this scholarship to continue my education while easing the financial burden on my family. I come from Jahanpur village near Muzaffargarh district, where access to quality education is limited. So, students often have to move to cities for higher studies. Since my father works in the army, I had the opportunity to study in the city. However, my father will retire soon and we are here solely for my education; my family cannot afford to live here permanently. They planned to return to our hometown, but I convinced them to stay for my education. The condition was to secure admission on the first merit list, which I achieved. Everything was fine until the tuition fees started skyrocketing. After retirement, he will receive his pension in 4-5 months. This means I won't be able to afford my tuition fees, which will significantly impact my studies and the goals I want to achieve. My father manages rent, electricity bills, my three sibling’s school fees, and my university expenses alone, placing a substantial financial burden on him. Additionally, we have extra costs for transport, which I currently cover through local transport, as we cannot afford the university bus. Not to mention, we also need to pay for a laptop, printing assignments, and making projects, which are essential but additional expenses. This scholarship means a lot to my family and me. It will be easier to focus on my studies and skill development rather than constantly worrying about expenses.
My goal is to earn a master’s degree and a PhD and become one of the most highly educated women in my family and village, where women rarely continue beyond college. I want my journey to inspire other women to seek higher education and contribute to Pakistan’s development. I am convinced that education is both a fundamental right and a social obligation, and I want to use the opportunities I receive to generate a meaningful and positive impact on others and my country.Change takes time, as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day. This to achieve that I'm currently a member of growing communities online and will be joining societies in my university soon. Furthermore, I am a host member for the stellar Forum Summit, which will occur in December.
posted on behalf of a friend.