Nudrat Khan (LLM International Economic Law, 2008) has had over 30 papers published and and is now the first woman to hold the titles of Executive Director National Insurance Company, Government of Pakistan and Director General, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Lahore.

Can you share the story of your journey to Warwick?

My journey to studying in the UK was a unique one, made special due to the tremendous support extended to me by the University of Warwick at a very emotional time of my life. Hailing from Quetta, Balochistan I grew up in a loving, enlightened yet traditional home, where individuality of each child was celebrated. As a young girl it seemed that my future would be according to the deeply engrained gender expectations of our culture, but I wanted a different life. I often daydreamed about the English countryside and studying in the UK, so I applied to several British universities. I didn’t want to share my exciting news until I had successfully secured a scholarship to cover tuition and living costs. However, my father decided that no matter how intelligent I might be, he would never send me abroad ‘unchaperoned’ for higher studies.

A couple of hard-working years later, after receiving an offer to study at Warwick as a scholar it looked like I finally had the opportunity to fulfil my wish to study in the UK. My father flew to the UK that summer and visited the Warwick campus. I was beyond delighted when he called to tell me how much he loved it. Sadly, the day before he was due to fly home, my father had a fatal heart attack. I met his coffin at the same airport where I bade him farewell only a few weeks earlier.

I took a principled decision not to leave my grieving mother and with a very heavy heart, I informed the University of Warwick about the withdrawal decision. I will never forget the reply I received from staff members at Warwick who were so kind and emphatic to my situation.

The following year, I was selected for a fully funded World Bank Scholarship and the MEXT scholarship from the Government of Japan. I had also secured admissions to the three top universities of the US and the UK respectively, and World Trade Institute, Switzerland. However, opting to study at Warwick Law School was an easy choice as I hadn’t forgotten the kindness and support the University had shown me the year before.

How did your time at Warwick shape you and your future?

Living and studying in the UK has shaped my personality in more ways than one. The freedom of getting on to a bus all by myself, doing groceries, walking and laughing in the rain without being judged are some of the little but most cherished memories. The beauty of the UK is not only that it provides opportunities to explore British culture and places, it gives you the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I have formed lifelong friendships with people from all cultures and corners of the globe. This exposure has hugely impacted my work performance as a commercial diplomat.

Tell us about your current role and journey since leaving Warwick.

Studying gender, labour, environment and international economic laws under the supervision of Warwick faculty empowered me to tackle these issues effectively back home. I am now Director General of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. I am the first female to hold this position and I hope to pave the way for many more females to take up similar roles. I owe, in no small measure, my strength to break the glass ceiling to my UK experience. Every time I am invited to talk about my journey or give a motivational speech, I look back with very fond memories of my time in the UK. I have had more than 30 research papers and articles published on the modules that I chose for my LLM and have contributed to initiating developmental projects for female entrepreneurship, child labour elimination, participatory leadership, and market intelligence. As I climb the corporate ladder, I see myself in positions of additional responsibilities in international economic law divisions of the government and feel confident that my UK qualification and the experience has equipped me to make a difference.

What is your favourite memory from your time at Warwick?

My five senses were fully tantalised in the UK! Scones with strawberry jam were a love at first bite; Tesco Express midnight binges; learning to greet everyone with ‘y alright’; libraries at every turn, jacket potato vendors, lovely parks and peaceful churches, pots of tea and knitting Trauma Teddys for Syrian refugees are all memories that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, the UK is the best demonstration of tolerance and acceptance. It is the country of random kindness, where I learnt to be unashamedly myself.

What advice would you give to current students and future graduates of the University of Warwick?

Cherish being together and cheer for one another. After all, this is what our years at Warwick have instilled – to celebrate the individuality of each and every one of us. Imagine what a beautiful world it is, where all of you are setting out to shine. Wherever life takes you, when you come across a classmates’ achievement, (which you surely will as Warwick produces the best of the best), you will fondly reminisce ‘we were once together.’ That is the Warwick bond.

I am inspired by every courageous woman and man, regardless of race, colour, creed and country who resolves to fight against all odds. As they say, it is not whether you win or lose. It is how you play the game.