Lahore, March 21, 2022 (PPI-OT): Who thought that a young boy named Naqibullah Mashwani, son of Ammanuddin from Kunar, Afghanistan, will achieve all his dream by breaking the stereotypes and move to Pakistan for his further education? Mr. Mashwani’s journey has had many ups and downs. However, with his dedication and quest for learning more, he didn’t lose hope.
The expedition at the University of Lahore is remarkable and commendable. In conversation with The Spectacle, Mr. Mashwani spoke his heart out.
Spectacle: Share a little about your Educational Background?
Mr. Mashwani: I graduated from Oxford Public High School Lower Dir, KPK in 2016. After that, I returned to my homeland and got enrolled into one of the top schools in Kabul named Rahman Baba High School where Afghan government provided me the facility of hostel. I completed my 10th, 11th and 12th classes from Oxford School.
Spectacle: What were your plans after 12th class?
Mr. Mashwani: When I finished my 12 years of education, my desire was to have my university education abroad. I also did a bit of teaching before coming to Pakistan.
Spectacle: Tell us more about you working experience in Kabul.
Mr. Mashwani: In January 2018, I gave demo at Kabul English Language Center (KELC) and got selected as an ESL Instructor. I worked there till February 2020 which was a good learning experience. At the same time, I was applying for many scholarship opportunities here and there.
Spectacle: How did you get Allama Iqbal Scholarship Program?
Mr. Mashwani: I gave an exam for Allama Iqbal Scholarship Program and got selected for studying at the University of Lahore. The government of Pakistan is offering scholarships to Afghan youth in various fields with the aim of strengthening the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The scholarship covers living allowance, books, and hostel dues and fees.
The day I saw my name shortlisted is unforgettable because I had gotten what I had been longing for; a free scholarship, a top university and desirable field i.e. International Relations (IR).
Spectacle: Share about your experience at the UOL and why you chose IR?
Mr. Mashwani: I joined The University of Lahore in 2021 and chose the field of International Relations (IR) as my major because it’s my favourite and secondly due to the weak foreign policy of my country that I intend to contribute to. The experience at UOL has been so good. Dr. Rabia Akhtar (HoD, School of Integrated Social Sciences) has been so kind, supportive and golden hearted. Mr. Zeeshan Ali (Research Associate, UOL) also motivated me to perfect my English communication skills. On top of that, all my Punjabi classmates have made me feel like their brother and countryman. They always cooperated with me and made my life comfortable.
Spectacle: You have written a book at such a young age, tell more about it.
Mr. Mashwani: When I finished my first semester at University of Lahore, I got three months’ vacation and that was a chance for me to achieve something again. I wrote a basic English conversation book which was published by “Mayar Kitab Koor” through Dir Adabi Tolana (DAT) in Lower Dir, KPK. It was the first English book ever published by this foundation.
One of my childhood friends called me and asked me to teach his students a special English course for three months. I taught them practical English system “inter-com”. However, some of the disciples were not familiar with English learning. Therefore, I made my mind to write an easy and small book to assist such students. The book consists of 200 fundamental English questions and published more than 300 copies that I sold out in just three days.
Spectacle: Any message to fellow students?
Mr. Mashwani: I would like to say that there’s nothing hard and impossible to attain. Whatever you want to be in life and achieve depend on how you spend your time and how you think of your success. Work hard and achieve your goals because nothing is impossible.
For more information, contact:
The University of Lahore
1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761
Email: info@uol.edu.pk
Website: www.uol.edu.pk