Living in a distant mountainous region, Saima Shaheen possessed significant ambitions regarding her future. She recognized that "education is the only 'option' for a village girl in Gilgit, an economically and socially disadvantaged region of Pakistan."
The Worldwide Education Foundation selected her for an MBA in Technology Management at Herzing University in Atlanta, USA. Her motivation stemmed from wanting to develop business and technology management expertise that would enable her to become an entrepreneur in her hometown, where female business ownership remains culturally discouraged.
Shaheen's academic journey has provided valuable learning experiences while strengthening her decision-making, leadership, and managerial capabilities. She aims to understand business and technology management comprehensively, then apply strategic approaches to address economic, environmental, and societal challenges.
She noted that Gilgit-Baltistan possesses substantial natural resources but lacks innovation in their development. The region experiences a shortage of skilled professionals familiar with contemporary business and technological practices. This gap motivated Shaheen to expand beyond her information technology background and pursue integrated business and technology management education, ultimately seeking to improve socioeconomic conditions and living standards in her community.