I am Umair Bashir, an alumnus of Kashmir Education Initiative. I started in 2014 as a KEI scholar and then went on to become a volunteer. At first, I thought that KEI was only an organization that provided scholarships, but then I attended workshops and educational programs. These sessions opened my mind and broadened my vision. The financial aid not only helped me cover my tuition fees but also allowed me to focus more on my studies.
Even with busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering have been enormous for me, my family, and my community. It has helped me to reduce stress, make friends, connect with the community, and learn new skills. Giving to others helps us to protect our mental and physical health. Volunteering has also allowed me to gain experience and meet people in my field. Even if I am not planning on changing careers, volunteering also allowed me to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, project planning, task management, and organization.
In 2018, I was introduced to the Student Advisory Board (SAB) as a member. After gaining more experience, I was assigned as the Social Media Lead. In this role, I have been able to connect our scholars with KEI through the SAB social media pages. This was the beginning of my learning new skills. I also joined the A2STEM initiative as a member and learned about courses such as graphics design and robotics. During the pandemic, with the internet easily accessible, I continued to learn more about these courses. Today I can multitask programs such as photo editing and video processing thanks to my experience with the Kashmir Education Initiative.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience with KEI has been the opportunity to give back to my community. Through volunteering and participating in various initiatives, I have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of others and contribute to the development of my community. It has been a truly fulfilling and enriching experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of KEI.
I was also selected for the GAP, Graduate Abroad Program, which has allowed me to connect with people from all over the world. They have provided me with their expertise and ideas on how to navigate studying abroad in my field of engineering. I have been assigned a mentor who helps me with my research on universities, and we have bi-weekly meetings to discuss my progress on applications. The program has opened doors for me by introducing me to helpful people and is allowing me to develop my professional life and skills. I am currently applying to multiple universities in different countries, and I am confident that I will receive an acceptance from one of them. The next four to five months will be crucial for my future as they will shape the direction of my career.