Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance
University: SZABIST Karachi
Aliena Jamil, a recent graduate from SZABIST Karachi with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, embodies the transformative impact of education and financial support. She credits The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and the SIMA Impact Foundation Scholarship for enabling her to pursue higher education and achieve her academic goals.
During her undergraduate journey, Aliena excelled academically while gaining valuable experience through two internships that laid the foundation for her professional career. Today, she is employed at Askari Bank. She is proud to fully support herself—a milestone she attributes to the support and opportunities provided by TCF and the SIMA scholarship program.
The SIMA Impact Foundation Scholarship and The Citizens Foundation (TCF) significantly eased the financial burdens Aliena faced as a member of a large middle-class family, enabling her to focus on her academic and personal growth. The scholarship provided her with financial stability and instilled confidence, motivating her to strive for excellence and actively engage in extracurricular activities.
While studying at SZABIST, Aliena had the opportunity to research pre-primary schools with The Citizens Foundation. This experience deepened her understanding of the power of education in driving social change. Reflecting on her work, she shared, “I saw firsthand how strategic investments in education uplift underprivileged communities. This reinforced my belief that aligning financial goals with social outcomes can create lasting, positive transformations in society.”
Aliena’s journey highlightas the importance of supporting students from regions like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to quality education can be a game-changer. “This fosters sustainable growth and bridges global inequality gaps,” she explains, emphasizing how scholarships empower future leaders to address local challenges and drive impactful investments.
For Aliena, the scholarship opened doors that seemed beyond reach, transforming her life and giving her access to a brighter future. She desires to complete her master’s degree to differentiate herself in the job market further.
Inspired by the support she received, she aspires to give back to society by contributing to the education and empowerment of others, ensuring that the cycle of opportunity and impact continues.
