Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently delivered a powerful address to the University of Central Asia (UCA) Class of 2023. Anita Zaidi is an alumna of Aga Khan University having achieved a medical degree with a specialization in paediatric infectious diseases in 1988. She later did further training at Duke University, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Reflecting on her own graduation, she recalls the profound impact of a simple message she received from His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan: “Serve Pakistan". These two words became a guiding light, directing her path towards becoming a paediatrician and serving her homeland.
Anita chose to return to Pakistan and was ready to offer her skills and knowledge to make her country better. She faced many challenges, but did not get overwhelmed. While speaking to the graduates, Anita encouraged them to “Start at square one and take a step" emphasizing the importance of taking that first small step, knowing that every subsequent step would build upon the last.
In 2014, Anita made the hard decision of leaving Pakistan and join the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington. In her new role, she is focused on breaking down barriers that hold back women and girls. Gender inequality is another barrier that Anita passionately addresses. In 2021, she was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Medicine for global leadership in paediatric infectious disease research and capacity development for improving newborn and child survival in LMICs.
Drawing from her own experiences and current role, she highlights the need to champion equal opportunities and respect for women. She left the UCA graduates with a sense of purpose and hope, reminding them that their university experience was not merely a period of academic growth, but a transformative journey that equipped them to make a positive impact. “I hope you apply the knowledge and experience you've gained at UCA to make life better for those around you, and more. I hope you answer the call to serve and use that as a guiding light."
You can read her full speech here.
Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently delivered a powerful address to the University of Central Asia (UCA) Class of 2023. Anita Zaidi is an alumna of Aga Khan University having achieved a medical degree with a specialization in paediatric infectious diseases in 1988. She later did further training at Duke University, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Reflecting on her own graduation, she recalls the profound impact of a simple message she received from His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan: “Serve Pakistan". These two words became a guiding light, directing her path towards becoming a paediatrician and serving her homeland.
Anita chose to return to Pakistan and was ready to offer her skills and knowledge to make her country better. She faced many challenges, but did not get overwhelmed. While speaking to the graduates, Anita encouraged them to “Start at square one and take a step" emphasizing the importance of taking that first small step, knowing that every subsequent step would build upon the last.
In 2014, Anita made the hard decision of leaving Pakistan and join the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington. In her new role, she is focused on breaking down barriers that hold back women and girls. Gender inequality is another barrier that Anita passionately addresses. In 2021, she was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Medicine for global leadership in paediatric infectious disease research and capacity development for improving newborn and child survival in LMICs.
Drawing from her own experiences and current role, she highlights the need to champion equal opportunities and respect for women. She left the UCA graduates with a sense of purpose and hope, reminding them that their university experience was not merely a period of academic growth, but a transformative journey that equipped them to make a positive impact. “I hope you apply the knowledge and experience you've gained at UCA to make life better for those around you, and more. I hope you answer the call to serve and use that as a guiding light."
You can read her full speech here.
