Alumna Profile

Question and Answer with Sumaiya Naveen Sajjad

(HBA 2006 INNIS)

What attracted you to your current position at the Aga Khan Agency of Microfinance in Egypt?

My interest in microfinance was confirmed when I had the chance to work with BRAC in Bangladesh during the summer after my 3rd Year at U of T, and with Pact in Washington, DC while in graduate school. The placements allowed me to witness the benefits of microfinance, but more importantly, learn about the challenges that remain in the field. I wanted to address those challenges, and kept seeking opportunities that would allow me to do so. The Aga Khan Development Network, under which the Agency for Microfinance functions, is quite unique in that it addresses key development challenges in a very holistic manner. The network does not single out any one issue. For example, in Egypt, the Trust for Culture is involved in building green spaces and renovating forgotten mosques, the Foundation supports health and education projects, and the Microfinance subsidiary, which is what took me to Cairo, offers financial and non-financial services to low-income entrepreneurs. My attraction stemmed from this multi-pronged approach, along with the Network’s aim to work closely with beneficiaries, and thereby offering employees a chance to develop skills critical for success.

Tell us about your experiences living and working in Egypt.

Sajjad Cairo is a city hard to describe in just a few sentences. There is history dating back to Pharaonic times, there are markets where sellers greet you in 10 different languages and woo you with exotic spices, the horizon is wonderfully punctuated with minarets, and so much more. Living in this city is truly an amazing adventure, but also a challenge at times. It is an adventure when I’m riding in a broken-down taxi over the Nile at 60 mph with blaring Arabic pop, but also a challenge whenever Arabic becomes necessary for a conversation (which is more often than not). At work, my co-workers are great and extend their courteousness well beyond professional walls to make sure I’m comfortable in Egypt, but as expected when working abroad, sometimes it is difficult to reach an agreement on how to proceed with a project, or make a decision.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Working in the field where I’m exposed to the complex conditions within which international development organizations work, and working so closely with beneficiaries are the most rewarding parts of my job. There are several opportunities of working with a development organization in North America and while those opportunities allow one to make impact, the satisfaction of seeing the impact is unparalleled. Being in the field allows me to interact with local staff and beneficiaries to understand issues more clearly, and identify a proper course of action.

What advice would you offer Innis College students today?

In a school the size of U of T, it is incredibly easy to be lost and remain lost through the 4 years of undergrad. My advice to all students is to be proactive and seek out opportunities because there are lots available and it is just a matter of identifying them, because from that point onwards, there is always someone to guide you through. This advice goes for both academic and non-academic matters. If a professor does not seek you out, seek them out yourself even if it takes several emails and knocks on their door. If you want to do something fun, you will mostly be able to find a club that offers you the opportunity, or you can start your own!

Please tell us about your experiences most recently in Cairo with the demonstrations and political upheaval.

Through my time in Cairo, I met some very nice and hospitable people who were always around to help me, introduce me to exciting local events, and make me feel like I was at home. What I hadn’t seen however, prior to the demonstrations that began on January 25th, 2011, is how persistent and courageous the people are. While my host organization and the Canadian Embassy strictly warned against going into the demonstration areas, I took advantage of my front-row access, and what I saw gave me goose bumps and made my eyes fill up in tears. I saw a fearless and determined population rise strongly against a regime, waving the Egyptian flag with pride, to improve their lives, secure a better place for the future generations, and get their voices heard, no matter what risks that held. I got evacuated a week into the demonstrations but while I’m back in Toronto, I left my heart behind in Cairo, and cannot wait to go back.