By: Shehneela Mazhar
In the heart of Islamabad, a city that thrives on dreams and aspirations, a young visionary named Rubina Hanif embarked on a transformative journey. As a Fulbright scholar hailing from Quaid e Azam University, her mission was to create a haven of safety and positivity for the students in public universities, shielding them from the rising tide of violence.
With boundless passion and unwavering determination, Rubina took on the challenge of an Alumni Small Grant (ASG) project. Her endeavor, “Evidence-Based Intervention for Student Violence in Public Universities of Islamabad,” sought to unearth the roots of violence and pave the way for a brighter future.
Throughout her quest, Rubina and her dedicated team engaged with 200 direct beneficiaries, including 100 young men and 100 strong women. Their mission resonated with an additional 2000 indirect beneficiaries, embracing 1000 young men and 1000 resilient women. The 12-week journey was a whirlwind of emotions, challenges, and triumphs.
Rubina’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she reflected on her odyssey, “This was my first experience applying for a grant, and the journey has been nothing short of amazing. While we’ve been part of other funded projects before, the sense of achievement and pride we felt from this endeavor was unparalleled. We knew we were making a meaningful impact, contributing to the positive growth of our youth and nurturing them into responsible individuals.”
Guided by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Interviews, Rubina’s team delved deep into the hearts of students, teachers, and parents. They uncovered the vulnerable factors that led to violent behaviors, identifying psycho-social, demographic, and contextual themes which were skillfully transformed into powerful modules for soft skills training.
The workshops conducted by Rubina’s team were nothing short of transformative. Participants experienced a newfound sense of self-awareness and empowerment. Misbah Afzal, a 21-year-old student, exclaimed, “I never imagined I could open up and discuss my emotional struggles so freely. The resource persons provided a non-threatening space for us to talk about our feelings.”
As the project unfolded, they discovered that the seeds of change extended beyond the students. Rubina shared, “To create a truly safe environment, we needed to train not only the students but also the parents and teachers. Their support and guidance were crucial in nurturing young minds.”
The impact of Rubina’s project was felt far and wide. Tasneem Sitwat, an educationist from Islamabad, expressed her gratitude, “This is exactly what we needed – training for students, teachers, and parents. The workshop objectives were achieved so effectively, and we can see a positive change already.”
Rubina’s partnership with the U.S. Mission and the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) was nothing short of magical. Their unwavering support and guidance fueled her passion and kept her on track. The collaboration was seamless, and their trust in her team’s vision built a strong foundation for success.
Rubina’s project stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path to unyielding courage and safeguarding innocence. The journey was challenging, but her inspiring story continues to empower students, educators, and parents alike, creating a vigilant civil society that protects the precious future of Pakistan.
