By: Office of International Affairs and Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Thirty women scholars from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, graduated from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, on 22 May 2026, under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP), funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The graduates completed their master’s degrees as part of an initiative to strengthen women’s representation in technical and leadership fields that support urban resilience and sustainable development in Pakistan.
Among the graduates, three scholars received distinction awards for outstanding academic performance in their respective programs. Alina Dawood from the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering received the Mahesh Varma Prize for Construction Engineering and Infrastructure Management. Aiman Khan from the Faculty of Climate Change and Sustainability received the Yoshiro Takasaki Prize for Urban Innovation and Sustainability. Zara Khadija was recognized as the Most Outstanding Woman in the Faculty of Public Policy and Sustainable Development.
Reflecting on her experience at AIT, Alina said: “I plan to work in Pakistan’s construction sector for a few years, contributing to infrastructure development and gaining practical experience. Later, I aim to pursue a PhD to acquire advanced knowledge and skills that I can use to further contribute to my country’s development”.
Aiman described her journey at AIT: “I hope that the achievements of our cohort will inspire young girls across Pakistan to dream boldly and believe in their potential. We should never let our circumstances define how far we can go. Instead, we must dare to dream beyond the expectations placed upon us and pursue our goals with confidence and determination. I also hope that scholarships and educational opportunities, such as those provided by ADB, will continue to empower more women to access higher education, unlock their potential, and achieve their aspirations”.
Zara reflected on the significance of receiving the award: “As a Pakistani woman, this recognition means far more than receiving an award. It represents an opportunity to demonstrate that Pakistani women can achieve remarkable success and make meaningful contributions to society. It reflects the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the aspirations pursued with determination and resilience. More importantly, it serves as a reminder that one’s background should never define the limits of one’s future”.
Dr Sumana Shrestha, Director of the Office of International Affairs and Office of Development and External Affairs at AIT, who initiated this partnership in early 2024, reflected on the scholars’ journey and personal growth during their studies in Thailand.
“Through our regular dialogue sessions, we created a safe and supportive space where the scholars could openly share their experiences,” she said. “I witnessed firsthand their resilience, determination, and ability to overcome challenges through learning, friendship and mutual support. Their journeys have been truly inspiring.”
Dr. Shrestha added that the scholars would return to Pakistan equipped not only with advanced academic knowledge but also with broader perspectives shaped by their experiences in an international and multicultural environment.
“It has been rewarding to see these scholars grow into confident global citizens who now view the world through a wider lens shaped by diverse cultures, experiences and ideas,” she emphasized.
AIT President, Prof. Pai-Chi Li, expressed his happiness at the successful graduation of the first batch of KPCIP scholars and hoped that the graduates would contribute to the country’s overall development. President Li also congratulated KPCIP and thanked the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the ADB for their continued trust and support throughout the scholars’ study period.
Dr. Aaron Batten, Country Director for the Asian Development Bank – Thailand Resident Mission and a Distinguished Graduation Speaker, highlighted the successful completion of the program’s first cohort of scholars and its contribution to advancing gender equality in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), engineering, urban development, and sustainability-related fields.
“Today, we also celebrate your fellow 30 graduates from Pakistan, women who were selected for this scholarship and are now joining you in this important milestone. Their achievement reflects the growing role of women’s agency in fields where gender gaps continue to exist,” Dr. Batten said during the graduation speech.
Mrs. Mahnaz Iftikhar, KPCIP’s Director for Gender and Inclusion, described the graduation as a historic achievement for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and praised the scholars for their academic performance.
“The performance of these women scholars has shown that Pakistani women can excel internationally in WASH, engineering, urban development, and sustainability-related disciplines,” Director Iftikhar said. “I am happy that during their study period, the scholars also had several opportunities to participate in student exchange programs and exposure visits to countries such as Australia, Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and others. These experiences helped them learn about best practices across several sectors in the respective countries,” she added.
The first KPCIP scholars began their studies at AIT in August 2024, following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between AIT and KPCIP in May 2024. The MoA was signed by Mr. Sayed Zaffar Ali Shah, the then Project Director of KPCIP, witnessed by Mr. Dawood Khan, the then Secretary of Local Government, Election and Rural Development (LGE & RDD), along with other dignitaries including Mr. Sayed Umar Ali Shah, Senior Project Officer from ADB, Mr. Qazi Raees, Director of Finance & Administration, and Mrs. Mahnaz Iftikhar, Director of Gender & Inclusion.
These scholars completed graduate programs in environmental engineering and management; water engineering and management; climate change and sustainable development; construction engineering and infrastructure management; development planning and innovation; data science and artificial intelligence; and urban innovation and sustainability. Upon returning to Pakistan, they are expected to contribute to the areas including WASH, infrastructure development, urban planning, environmental management, and public sector innovation across Pakistan.
AIT extends its sincere appreciation to the KPCIP project team, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and ADB for their continued support and collaboration. The combined efforts of all stakeholders have led to a successful achievement, marking a historic milestone in collaboration.
Building on this achievement, a second cohort of 25 KPCIP scholars began their studies at AIT in January 2026. AIT is dedicated to developing human resources and empowering the countries of the region by nurturing future leaders. Its programs are designed to equip scholars with the skills and knowledge needed to facilitate positive change and support the socio-economic development of their nations.
