ACE EDGE Career Fellowship Program

Being a part of Habib University's ACE Edge Fellowship within the Office of Undergraduate Education and Accreditation has been deeply enriching and intellectually grounding. Focusing on the areas of academic planning and governance, this opportunity has allowed me to engage meaningfully with the structures that shape institutional quality and student learning. This fellowship has provided me a rare opportunity to translate theory into practice in the educational policy and leadership space where I have been able to contribute thoughtfully about the best practices in higher education sector whether it is about curriculum alignment, pedagogical enhancement, or building systems for process improvement. Overall, the ACE Edge Fellowship has strengthened my understanding of Higher Education systems while reaffirming my commitment to equity-driven, evidence-informed academic leadership.

Joining the ACE Edge Career Fellowship has been a truly unique experience in my career, allowing me to kickstart my career in higher education. The Program seamlessly bridges the gap between academic and professional growth, offering direct exposure to meaningful, high-impact projects. What I value the most is the Program’s rigorous and immersive learning culture, which provides holistic opportunities to develop as emerging professionals. Through mentorship and ownership of projects, I have developed greater workplace confidence and strategic thinking. For anyone seeking to develop themselves for leadership roles, this fellowship is a great launchpad for their career.

As someone committed to working in Pakistan’s education sector after my Master’s, the Fellowship gave me the opportunity to design and lead strategy- and data-driven projects. I work closely across functions including industry engagement, alumni relations, career advising, and curriculum review, which strengthened my ability to operate in complex institutional settings. The work culture is intellectually engaging and initiative-focused, with a strong emphasis on learning, mentorship, and professional development. Collaborating with motivated colleagues to advance Habib University’s strategic priorities, with a clear focus on student impact, has been deeply meaningful.

As an ACE Edge Fellow at Habib University, I have the privilege of wearing two hats: working at IDEAL – the Institute for Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership – and in the Marketing and Communications Department. At IDEAL, I engage with students and industry professionals while delivering highly contextualized and curated corporate trainings, including a recent custom program for Unilever designed to address their real-world challenges. Co-facilitating and helping curate these trainings has been an invaluable learning experience, deepening my expertise in systems thinking, design thinking, and ethical leadership. I have also taught entrepreneurship to first-year students, enriching their learning and my connection with the academic community. In Marketing and Communications, I leverage my creative skills to develop content. The ACE Edge Fellowship further allows me to participate in strategic leadership forums, contributing to the vision, growth, and impact of the institute.