Education leader, Dr Nishat Riaz MBE, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Cardiff Metropolitan University today (Thursday 27 July).
Nishat has over 25 years of experience in education leadership and in 2017 was awarded an MBE for her contribution in the field of education. She has developed, managed and supervised large scale programmes on health, gender, skills, culture and education.
During her acceptance speech at Cardiff Met’s Graduation Ceremonies at the Wales Millennium Centre, Nishat said: “Today, I am humbled and deeply honoured for the distinguished association with this inspiring institution. Coming from a rural, isolated community and being the first girl in my mother’s as well as father’s family to get into a university, looking back, I could never even imagine being here, much less getting enrolled into this institution as a formal student. The University reaching out to me is a rare and unique privilege, an honour that I will always cherish and respect.
“I dedicate this award to the wonderful people I work with at The British Council and the millions of amazing individuals that we work for to help build a peaceful and prosperous world.”
Nishat is the Global Head of Higher Education Systems and Internationalisation for the British Council. Prior to this role, she managed the British Council’s education work in Pakistan, one of the biggest education programmes in the UK’s missions around the world.
Nishat gave advice to students graduating today: “While we celebrate your effort, resilience and commitment that lead to your achievements on this graduation day, we must remember that we live in a fundamentally unequal world, one that is not limited to just us. Sadly, despite all the scientific and technological developments, the world is not truly fair, inclusive, and equitable yet. At least three million children lose their lives each year due to malnutrition, almost 260 million being deprived of education, all through no fault of their own.
“I believe that we cannot and must not wait for someone else to bridge the gap between haves and have nots. And that’s why, today, at this grand event, on this illustrious occasion, I ask myself and each one of you to think about the positive change that we could bring around us. Let us think beyond ourselves and become the source of opportunity for at least one person in our reach. Trust me, you have the power and passion to do this. As you go out of this door, unlock and activate that power and open a small window of opportunity for those who are in need and less privileged.”
Nishat’s passion and commitment around developing accessible, inclusive and equitable education systems helped to develop large scale education reforms reaching out to millions of learners in Pakistan.
Dr Fiaz Hussain, Associate Dean of Partnerships at Cardiff Metropolitan University said: “Nishat’s passion to help, guide and deliver individuals and institutions to realise their aspirations is second to none. Nishat has played a pivotal role in forging strong institutional partnerships between the UK and Pakistan, as well as covering areas of schools, skills, higher education, scholarships, ranging from traditional educational models to innovative blended programmes.
“Nishat’s experience has also contributed directly to the success of the B-International project, which Cardiff Met are leading. The project has seen the establishment of Centres of Internationalisation at four top ranked Universities in Pakistan and has provided a platform to share and explore good practices between partners in Europe and Pakistan. Today’s award is testament to Nishat’s work and will further cement the excellent relationship that Cardiff Met has with the British Council in Pakistan.”
Dr Nishat Riaz MBE
Nishat was the first female engineer from the Gilgit Baltistan Province to graduate with an engineering degree in Electronics Engineering. She also has an MA in International Development from the University of Manchester and Phd in Management Sciences from Bahria University, Pakistan.
Nishat’s work in education has taken her around the globe, speaking, writing, chairing & advocating the case of access to and success of education.
In addition to her professional career, Nishat believes in volunteer work and for the last two and half decades she has been associated with several civil society organisations working around social development of communities. Nishat is married and has three children.
