Chevening alumni are united by their drive to create positive change, and Ayesha Urooj is no exception. With a strong commitment to tackling Pakistan’s energy and environmental challenges, Ayesha shares how her Chevening experience helped transform her professional path in engineering and amplify her impact on climate action.
My name is Ayesha Urooj, and I currently work as Deputy Manager in the Corporate HSEQ Business Excellence division at Pakistan’s only vertically integrated power utility.
My role places me at the heart of innovation and continuous improvement across the organisation, where I contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 13 (climate action).
My journey in the energy sector has always been purpose-driven. At work, I lead projects that target energy efficiency, safety improvements, and the circular economy. By implementing data-driven solutions, my team has significantly reduced our organisation’s network inefficiencies and carbon footprint.
These innovations not only improve our operations but also drive real progress toward a more sustainable energy landscape in Pakistan.
Studying in the UK through the Chevening Scholarship allowed me to step back, learn, and return with renewed purpose. Pursuing an MSc in Electrical Engineering for Sustainable and Renewable Energy at the University of Nottingham gave me access to cutting-edge research and tools in energy systems, resource assessment, and Power-to-Hydrogen (P2H2) technologies.
Chevening was more than just an academic experience to me. It connected me to a global network of change-makers, expanded my worldview, and gave me the leadership foundation to drive systemic change in my home country.
Today, I am proud to mentor young innovators through the UNDP’s Youth4Climate initiative, guiding them in designing impactful solutions for the climate crisis. I’m also developing educational outreach programs aimed at empowering citizens to adopt energy-efficient practices and understand the power of responsible consumption.
Looking ahead, I aim to take on greater leadership within Pakistan’s energy sector, where I can shape climate policy, support decarbonisation strategies, and advocate for a just, inclusive energy transition.
My vision is for communities to thrive using renewable energy, where sustainability is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, Chevening will help you turn that passion into purpose.
My advice? Be bold in your vision, clear in your goals, and committed to the greater good. Use your time in the UK to learn, connect, and reflect. And when you return, bring that knowledge home, not just to your workplace, but to your community.
Life doesn’t always go as planned. Whether it’s unexpected career shifts, personal setbacks, or global changes beyond our control, the ability to adapt and bounce back is what keeps us moving forward.
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