There are many pathways one can pursue in order to make a difference in the world. Why is the MPA Program at HKS an appropriate pathway to achieving your goals?聽(500 word limit).
I aspire to become a politician and public servant in Pakistan. In the last 6 years, I have endeavoured to broaden my understanding about politics, public policy and economics. 聽Through my professional and volunteer experiences, I have learnt the importance of statistical and economic analysis, in-depth research, public engagement and collaboration between government sector, private enterprises and educational institutions to formulate and implement effective public policies in order to stimulate economic growth. However, I realize that in order to be an effective leader, I need to challenge my understanding of politics, public policy and economics by immersing myself in the rigorous intellectual environment that Harvard Kennedy School provides. I believe that after having completed Harvard Kennedy Schools MPA program, I will be ready to embark on my political career to help build a new Pakistan.
Pakistan has been in a precarious situation for a few years and given its many obstacles, driving sound and well balanced public policy initiatives is a challenge.The Kennedy School’s MPA would prepare me for this challenge. Its tradition of rigorous public policy analysis, understating of regional challenges, application of quantitative methods and its focus on economic analysis would be an excellent foundation for the next phase of my career in politics and public policy. I believe my life and professional experiences would make me a great asset to the HKS community. I was born and raised in Pakistan, spent some time in Turkey, survived an air raid in Libya, and spent most of my formative years living, working and studying in Canada, I am confident that my passions, aspirations, and balanced perspectives would inspire riveting class room discussions. My understanding of cultural, social, political and economic complexities of Islam and Pakistan, and my knowledge of Canadian and international economics and politics, would add interesting perspectives to class room discussions. Furthermore, I am interested in sharing my experiences in working in sector strategy, economic development, green energy in Canada, and my perspectives on democracy in Canada and Pakistan.
My goal at HKS is to understand the intertwined relationships between politics, economic and public policy. I am interested in taking courses in the following policy areas: business and government policy (BGP), analysis of policies and institutions (API), democracy, politics and institutions (DPI), international and global affairs (IGA), and international trade and finance (ITF).
I am excited to learn about the structure, competitive and reforms of the US financial markets, and analyze its regulatory reforms and risks by taking the course on capital market regulation with Robert R. Glauber. Professor Glauber’s experience and subject matter expertise would be a source of great intellectual insight. Through the knowledge gained in this course, I plan on finding the best ways to apply the structure and reforms of the US economy to further modernize and better structure Pakistan’s economy. Additionally, I plan to acquire knowledge about microeconomic tools of analysis for policy problems by enrolling in course titled “Economic analysis of public policy”. I am fascinated my Professor Monica Singhal’s work in taxation and public finance. Opportunities to interact with Professor Singhal and fellow HKS students in order to understand the rationale of government policy intervention and to evaluate public policy would sharpen my analytical and reasoning skills.
Good politicians are skillful orators and great communicators. The course titled “The making of a politician” will broaden my communication repertoire and prepare me for my political aspirations. I believe a thorough and in depth quantitative analysis is vital for success of public policy initiatives. My professional background and graduate degree taught me the importance of rigorous statistical analysis in order to purpose policies to foster economic growth, and education attainment. The course titled “Quantitative analysis and empirical methods” will further enhance my statistical and quantitative skills.
I am also interested in attending seminars and conferences at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center, leadership workshops at Center for Public Leadership, and getting involved with programs at Institute of Politics, and Belfar Center for Science and International affairs. I will also be an active participant of the Canadian Caucus,Business and Government Professional Interest Council, Electoral Politics Professional Interest Council. I also plan on staring my own club. Running is my passion and I want to start an HKS running club that would train for and participate in half marathons and marathons to fundraise for causes HKS passionately believes in.
An important reason to pursue an MPA at HKS is the flexibility of the program. In my research of similar programs at other institutions, I have determined that diversity of opinions, cultural, professional and personal experiences is unparalleled at HKS. Most MPA students have worked for a few years and have also attained graduate degrees prior to HKS, and these accomplishments and life experiences provide an energetic environment to discuss ideas for a better world.
I believe that I can utilize Harvard Kennedy School’s extensive network to pursue my political goals and to stimulate an environment of positivity and democracy in Pakistan. I have had the privilege of meeting a few HKS alumni in Toronto, Canada. HKS alumnus Wendy Feldman, who is an active member of Harvard Club of Toronto, emphasized her extensive use of her HKS connections throughout the course of her public service and public policy career. I plan on using HKS resources to adequately train my self during my time at the Kennedy School and then drawing on my HKS network to bring attention to my work as a public servant, public policy advocate and a politician in Pakistan.I will not only be a proud HKS alumnus but also a strong supporter of alumni relations, fundraising, donations and publicity activities, and will be a life-long promoter of HKS and its goals.