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In this latest series of articles, we publish interviews of women working as professionals or students in the technology sector. The objective is to highlight their work and contribution to the industry and the community.

In these interviews, you will find women working in technology to solve real-world problems, break stereotypes, and create the next big impact on the tech industry. This series of interviews shows that even with the lowest rate of women participation in the labor market in Pakistan, there are still many smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.

Today, we are featuring Wajiha Naim. Read on to learn more about her work and get inspired.

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1. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.

I was born and raised in Karachi. After my graduation, I began my professional journey at a software house and spent approximately 2.5 years working in the tech industry as a QA and technical writer. Then, I got married, and after the birth of my child, I decided to resign. I restarted my academic journey, initially serving as a visiting faculty member at various universities. In 2015, I joined Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) as a full-time faculty member and currently hold the position of Lecturer in the Department of Software Engineering. SMIU is the alma mater of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Alongside my teaching duties, I have been entrusted with various additional responsibilities, for which I am deeply grateful to my superiors for their trust and support in recommending me for diverse projects and tasks. I am also currently pursuing my Ph.D. at SMIU, furthering my academic and professional growth. Throughout my years in academia, I have been deeply involved in mentoring students to enhance their technical skills and organizing various training and mentoring sessions to support their growth. As a member of the Industry Liaison Committee at SMIU, I am also actively working to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering stronger student connections and opportunities.

2. What are your future plans/aspirations? How will it impact the community/society/your team/your project?

My future plans revolve around advancing my expertise in academia and contributing meaningfully to the tech and education sectors. My Ph.D. research topic also addresses key challenges in software engineering, particularly in test automation. Through my research, I want to create impactful solutions for the tech industry. I aspire to further strengthen the linkage between academia and industry by initiating collaborations, organizing workshops, and fostering mentorship opportunities that prepare students for real-world challenges. Although it requires lots of effort and energy, it will not only enhance students’ employability and technical proficiency but also contribute to developing a skilled workforce that benefits the community and the industry at large. Additionally, I plan to continue empowering students, especially women, by organizing tailored mentoring and training programs to inspire them to excel in the tech field. I am also planning to mentor female students and educate them to acquire financial stability and find ways to invest their hard-earned money wisely. Through these efforts, I hope to create a more inclusive and skilled academic environment that positively impacts society and contributes to the growth of my university and the wider tech community.

3. Please brag about your career accomplishments. What are the things you are proud of?

As a proud member of the teaching fraternity, I take immense pride in the achievements of my students, many of whom now hold key positions in the industry. Several have also enrolled in master’s and Ph.D. programs at prestigious institutions abroad. Serving as a Final Year Project (FYP) supervisor has been particularly rewarding, as projects under my guidance have been selected for technology showcases organized by the Sindh Higher Education Commission, and some have even received IGNITE funding in the past. Beyond teaching, I have contributed to the professional community as Vice President of Academics for Agile Pakistan – Karachi Chapter and continue to serve as a volunteer with gratitude to the Chapter’s President, Mr. Muhammad Ahmed Qaiser, for his trust and support. In addition, I am honored to be the focal person of my university’s Sexual Harassment Committee, where I actively work to empower women by addressing workplace and sexual harassment issues fostering a safer and more inclusive environment. These roles and responsibilities reflect my commitment to nurturing talent, promoting innovation, and advocating for equality and empowerment in both academia and the wider community.

4. What has been your best education/career decision, and why?

When there was time to take a decision for career, my father guided me to pursue my studies in the field of computer science since it has great potential and scope. I think it was the best decision as I later developed an interest in exploring the subject and got admission into one of the best universities. My experience in the tech industry was really great because I enjoyed testing applications and writing user manuals and technical documentation for clients. Starting my career as a faculty member and mentor at the alma mater of Quaid-e-Azam was another proud moment of my life. Teaching and polishing young minds give a sense of accomplishment. My experience in the industry really helped me a lot in polishing students’ skills in the field of software testing and guiding them in their future endeavors.

5. What are the best lessons you’ve learned?

The best lessons I have learned during all these years are hard work always pays and share your knowledge with others. So many times, unnoticeably good things happen just because you might have struggled and given your best to achieve that, it shows the power of hard work and determination. Share whatever knowledge you have; it will motivate you to learn more so that you can share more of it with others. This motivation to keep focusing on learning anything like skills, etc., is the driving force behind every success.

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6. Which woman inspires you and why?

My role model is Hazrat Khadeejah (R.A.) because, in that era, when women were not given the stature that they deserved, she was a woman of strong character who was widely respected and a successful businesswoman. This proves that nothing can stop you, even severe resistance from people around you, when you are determined to do something. 

7. Do you think Pakistan has changed as a society in terms of accepting career-oriented women? What needs to change to help more women come forward?

Of course yes, society as a whole is moving towards accepting career-oriented women because many women have set excellent examples of achieving success despite facing backlash from relatives and family. This kind of determination shown by these iron ladies has changed the way society thinks about career-oriented women. A big change is awaited, but overall, the mindset has changed. 

When we want to see lots of women come forward and join the workforce, the best way to motivate them is to address their needs. A woman plays a diversified role. She, as a mother, wants to do something for her kids and spend time with her kids….is she able to manage a work-life balance? Moreover, a harassment-free workplace is a place where women would feel safe and secure. We will have to create a more flexible environment for women like maternity leaves, working from home, daycare facilities, recreating activities, different kinds of loans at lower markups, etc. One of my colleagues in some software house, who was a very bright girl, resigned from her job because she was the only daughter of her parents and her mother was terminally ill so she had to look after her and applied for leaves which were not approved. This is one case that I witnessed there might be so many other such cases. Similarly, I left my job in one such company as I was not getting approval for leave during the first trimester of pregnancy, which was quite tough for me, I applied for a week’s leave as I was experiencing continuous nausea and vomits. Allah has entitled us to these roles. Companies are now focusing on creating flexible environments for women, which is a positive step toward promoting their inclusion in the workforce.

8. What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?

That would be navigating the balance between rapidly advancing technology and maintaining their individuality and mental well-being. They will have to combat societal expectations, gender biases, and the persistent struggle for equal opportunities in leadership and innovation.

9. What would it be if you could change one thing about the tech industry/business?

It would be a lack of diversity and inclusion. I would be willing that an environment of equal opportunities can be ensured and underrepresented strata of society, particularly women, must be given a chance to come forward to join the workforce. It would create a more equitable industry.

10. How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?

I am thankful to Faiza for founding womenintechpk and inviting me to be part of this community. It is a safe and secure community for women where they come across different opportunities and also offer their services. Moreover, several training and mentoring opportunities are shared within the community. The women there discuss workplace-related problems, seek advice from fellow women on different issues, be part of online webinars and sessions, and there is a lot more that this community offers to women. For me, it is SUPPORT GROUP. I have come to know many wonderful women through this platform and invited them to SMIU for different sessions. Thumbs up to this wonderful community!

You can follow Wajiha Naim using her profile(s) below, and please do not hesitate to hire her for your next project. 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syeda-wajiha-naim-1437935a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567095698831

Profile: https://agile.org.pk/profile/Syeda-Wajiha-Naim

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