The Aspire Institute Pakistan Foundry recently collaborated on an event Center for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), marking a significant milestone in our shared mission to drive impact and improve young lives. This fruitful interaction, held at CERP’s headquarter in Lahore on December 26th, 2023, provided a platform for our talented alumni to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange invaluable knowledge, and explore new avenues for social impact.
A total of 18 Aspire Leaders Program alumni joined this event to engage in insightful discussions with the CERP team, delving into their impactful work and diverse initiatives. This exchange facilitated a cross-pollination of ideas and exposed our alumni to the depth of CERP’s expertise in research, analytics, and human capital development. Furthermore, they received insights into CERP’s impactful projects and initiatives from seasoned professionals like President and CEO, Maroof A. Syed, and Executive Vice President of Analytics and Labs, Imran Zia. Dr. Javed Younas, a renowned Professor of Economics at the American University of Sharjah and CERP Research Fellow, empowered the alumni with his captivating session on embracing true inclusivity and overcoming societal barriers.
This session allowed alumni to learn more about these important topics and network with their fellow alumni.
“Meeting with fellow Aspire alumni was a great experience,” reflected Syed Shaharyar Ahmed, a 2023 Aspire Leaders Program alumnus. “Witnessing the diversity and inclusiveness of this cohort was truly inspiring. Additionally, the session organized by CERP was very informative and well-designed.”
Other alumni expressed how this gathering broadened their horizons.
“As a medical student, I had the opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and gained invaluable insights into their perspectives on various issues,” alumnus Kaleem Ullah shared. “It resonated deeply with the meeting’s theme of ‘what does it mean to be inclusive?'”
Aspire Institute remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering leadership within our alumni network. By facilitating such collaborative opportunities, we look forward to empowering our alumni to leverage their collective expertise and drive transformative change in Pakistan and around the world.
We hold fast to the belief that collaborative platforms like the one established with CERP are crucial in amplifying our collective impact and building a more just and equitable world. As our alumni network continues to expand and their leadership potential flourishes, we remain confident that such partnerships will serve as catalysts for progress, paving the way for a more inclusive and thriving society.
