Australia Awards South and West Asia

Nasreen Samad completed her Master of Development Studies at the University of Melbourne in 2014 with the support of an Australia Awards Scholarship. Below, she shares in her own words how her Scholarship experience has transformed her life both personally and professionally, how it opened more networking opportunities for her and how it has enabled her to contribute to promoting gender equality in rural communities of Pakistan.

Living in Pakistan and coming from the small city of Chitral, I worked closely with women in this mountainous community who were striving for economic empowerment. After many years of work experience, I could see how the lack of advanced education and resources were leading to competent women being unemployed and neglected in this area. When I decided to pursue a Master of Development Studies at the University of Melbourne, it was a big move for me. I realised that although I had valuable ground experience, I lacked the theoretical foundation to critically analyse and address the issues that communities in various parts of Pakistan were encountering.

This realisation ignited my passion for pursuing the Australia Awards Scholarship, through which I could bridge the gap between practice and theory. I delved into the complexities of poverty, learning not just about its manifestations but about the structures and systems that perpetuate it.

Nasreen (right, first row) during her time as a scholar in Australia.

At university, I took the mandatory courses Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective and Gender Issues in Development, which were particularly transformative. My studies helped me see how deeply entrenched norms across cultures affect agency, access and opportunity, which further fuelled my commitment to addressing these inequalities.

Outside university, I thoroughly enjoyed travelling across Australia with friends. I visited the Northern Territory and Alice Springs, where I learnt about Aboriginal history and culture, as well as the broader history of Australia. I also participated in community events in Brunswick, where I was residing, and I appreciated how efforts were made to bring communities from diverse backgrounds together through sharing food, music and other celebrations.

My Australia Awards Scholarship has opened doors to an incredible professional network. I used to say that the Development Studies Department was like a mini-United Nations, with students present from nearly every corner of the world. Interacting with those peers was one of the most enriching aspects of my experience. In the classroom, we often discussed and compared development policies, including the education, health and social protection systems of our respective countries. These conversations not only broadened my understanding of global challenges and solutions but also gave me valuable insights to approach development work with a more contextual perspective.

Nasreen conducting a presentation on the theme of unconscious bias in her current position as Gender Equality Advisor for IGNIT-3.

Additionally, the program connected me with an inspiring network of alumni from Pakistan, many of whom were senior government officials or leaders in the social sector. Their experiences and insights were invaluable to get a good understanding of development-related issues back home. This blend of international and national networking opportunities has continued to shape my professional journey, providing me with a diverse and supportive community of peers and mentors committed to driving positive change in my sphere of influence.

After returning to Pakistan, I worked as the Country Manager for Girl Rising for nearly 5 years. In this role, I collaborated with over 20 educational institutions across Pakistan, focusing on equipping educators with the tools and knowledge to foster transformative learning environments.

Currently, as the Gender Equality Advisor for IGNIT-3, I provide technical leadership and oversight to ensure that gender considerations are integrated across project activities in nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); and health sectors in Pakistan, Malawi and Ghana. My role involves capacity building and fostering gender-sensitive approaches to enhance program impact and sustainability. Through these efforts, I continue to drive forward the agenda of equity and inclusion, creating pathways for sustainable development in underserved communities.

This year, I had the opportunity to travel to Bhutan, along with other fellow Australia Awards alumni from South Asia and Mongolia, for the Regional Alumni Workshop to share our work and experiences in promoting gender equality.

Nasreen (second from right) pictured at the 2024 Regional Alumni Workshop with representatives from the Australian High Commission in Pakistan, Australia Awards staff and other alumni from Pakistan.

Anyone who is keen to apply for an Australian Awards Scholarship should go with an open mind to engage with students from around the world, which exposes them to a diversity of perspectives shaped by race, geography, belief systems, language and culture.