Asma Ladak’s journey of scholarship and self discovery through STEP

Asma Ladak is 17 years old and doing her GCE A levels at an esteemed institution in Karachi, Pakistan. Since childhood, she has been exposed to the work of Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Aga Khan Development Network. Her passion to serve with AKDN has been fueled by “Agahee,” a Golden Jubilee national quiz competition held in 2008 in Pakistan (she placed 3rd), which was focused on the AKDN. She was further inspired to serve during her recent visit to Kenya and Tanzania as a participant of the Global Encounters program.

Asma was among the first group of the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) and experienced the new curriculum from some of the best teachers. Her religious education teachers constantly encouraged Asma to excel and to reach her full potential. She wants to share her STEP experience with the global Jamat, hoping that many will derive similar inspiration from the program. She said:

“There are moments in life one forgets. There are moments which one remembers temporarily. But there are also moments which leave their mark on one’s heart and mind for eternity. This is not something one has a control over; it just happens. Such moments just magically take you in their embrace. STEP is undoubtedly and inevitably one of such
experiences.”

Read about Asma’s STEP Experience.

Asma is one of two participants from Pakistan to have been accepted into the Yale Young Global Scholars Program in Science, Policy and Innovation session, and is looking forward to representing her country and community at another global event.

Ismailimail congratulates Asma on being accepted into Yale’s program.