UPG Viewer

22 Years Old

Morocco

Female

Yes! That is really who you are!

Three years ago, I was a student in preparatory classes, loving what I was studying, but I felt it was not enough. I wanted to do something else in addition to my studies. I didn’t have the opportunity at that time, but once I began my studies in chemical engineering school, I joined numerous clubs, including X-change. This club at Ibn Tofail University encourages young people to share their knowledge by organizing various events throughout the year that are open to all students, allowing them to learn from experts and each other.
And My journey began when I was accepted as a mentor in the DigiGirlz program. This 8-month program aims to increase the STEM literacy of high school girls by offering various online sessions and workshops. It also helps them develop projects that use STEM to address issues in their communities.
The last year’s theme was smart cities, which included everything related to green energy, climate resilience, infrastructure, community engagement, and empowerment. We assisted with several online workshops that DigiGirlz hosted on STEM and smart city topics. As mentors, our job was to guide our mentees, share knowledge and skills to help them develop their projects, and coach them based on our own experiences. I appreciated being a part of DigiGirlz because it was a fantastic opportunity that taught me many lessons, from communication to leadership to project management.
I have also been part of the Climate Education School, an initiative by Youth for Climate in collaboration with Dar America and the U.S. Embassy. During this program, I attended a series of workshops on climate change, renewable energy and reforestation. I traveled two hours from my city to another for each workshop, driven by a passion to learn and make a difference.
These experiences made me realize my profound passion for driving change, seamlessly aligning with my career goals in chemical engineering, where I can actively contribute to meaningful solutions. Using my experience and skills, I strive to make a meaningful difference in addressing the challenges of climate change and promoting sustainability initiatives within my community and beyond. I am eager to learn more about environmental issues and promote initiatives that empower, and inspire other young people to take action. I know how vital it is for people to be aware of these issues because it’s our future at stake. If we do not start taking action now to find solutions, the world will be in danger.

Teamwork, Communication, Problem-solving, Project management, Decision-making, Creativity, Adaptability, and Active listening

My chosen strength is communication. Here’s the story: I participated in the DigiGirlz program last year, which is a program that empowers high school girls to create STEM projects for their communities. I participated in as a mentor, and our job was to guide these girls through the entire 8-month program as they created their projects. Since we had to persuade these girls to continue in the program in spite of all the challenges they faced, communication was crucial during this experience. They were unfamiliar with this program and were unaware of the possibilities they would have if they continued. Convincing them was so difficult, but we succeeded in doing so and advanced to the competition’s semifinals.
I learned from the experience how effective communication can be in motivating people. These teenage participants frequently felt overpowered by the program’s technological difficulties as well as their own self-doubt.
We were able to alter their perspective by offering them unwavering support, clear explanations, and motivation to have faith in their own skills. When we demonstrated to many of them that their ideas and deeds might actually bring about change in their communities, it completely altered their lives.
This experience only strengthened my conviction that communication is an empowering tool. Words are not as important as understanding people, recognizing their struggles, and showing their potential. It was a real pleasure to witness these girls grow throughout the program and enjoy their fruits of success. Reaching the semifinals of the competition was not only a win but also proved the magic of persistence and good communication.

Last year, I participated in the DigiGirlz program that encourages high school girls to pursue STEM careers. I was a mentor, and my role was to help these girls to create a project using STEM for a real-world problem. The program focused on the theme of smart cities, emphasizing the use of technology to create cities that respect nature and utilize renewable energy. Through various sessions, we explored how climate change was affecting the world and discussed potential solutions.
Using the information I gained from these sessions, I mentored the mentees and helped them develop innovative initiatives that supported environmental sustainability. One of the most rewarding experiences was seeing the mentees transform their initial ideas into practical solutions that actually had the ability to make a difference. Seeing them gain self-assurance and competence served as a reminder of the value of mentoring young people.
For this year, I’m part of AIESEC, an international organization whose goal is to create better leaders. To achieve that, they encourage youth to leave their comfort zone and live in another country as volunteers. I’m part of the IGV department, which stands for Incoming Global Volunteer, so our role is to find opportunities for youth to have their volunteering experience.
Being part of AIESEC has added another dimension to my journey. It has taught me the importance of cultural exchange and leadership development. I support a global network of changemakers by helping to find volunteer opportunities for youth. Making connections between volunteers and projects has a ripple effect that fosters collaboration and understanding across borders.
Through my involvement with AIESEC and DigiGirlz, I have witnessed the transformative power of leadership, mentorship, and communication. I’m constantly inspired by the potential of youth to create a better future, whether it’s by pushing young girls to pursue STEM or promoting global volunteer opportunities. These experiences have not only shaped my skill set but also reinforced my commitment to sustainability, innovation, and governance.

Undergraduate: I have completed an undergraduate degree

If I were to run a sustainability project, I would propose recycling plastic trash into textile material. This campaign targets two key global issues: plastic waste and the environmental effect of the fashion industry.
Plastic waste, particularly single-use plastics, is one of the most important environmental issues today. Simultaneously, the fashion industry contributes significantly to global waste, with millions of tons of textiles ending up in landfills each year. I may contribute to reducing plastic pollution and textile waste by recycling plastic rubbish (such as bottles or bags) and transforming it into clothing fabric.
The proposal would include:
– Collecting plastic debris locally through community clean-ups, recycling facilities, and collaborations with surrounding companies. Plastic is recycled by shredding it and turning it into polyester fibers, which may then be woven into fabric for clothes or accessories. This procedure, known as “plastic-to-fabric,” has been successfully applied by several firms and is becoming a popular trend in sustainable fashion.
– Organize seminars and campaigns to raise awareness among the public through educating them about the environmental benefits of recycling plastic into fabric and encourage shoppers to purchase eco-friendly apparel.
This would be another step toward fulfilling my commitments to sustainability and my personal development in providing tangible answers to environmental problems. It would be an opportunity to apply my knowledge in chemical engineering, especially in areas of recycling, material science, and waste management, toward creating a more sustainable future.

1. Collecting Enough Plastic Waste
Challenge: Collection of the needed amount of plastic waste for conversion to fabric can hardly be done within a short span.
Solution: Community cleanliness drives should be conducted and taken regularly and in partnership with local business houses and/or recycling centers for collections of plastic wastes. Conducive awareness shall also be created to urge people to donate used plastic bottles and packages for the project purpose.
2. Lack of Equipment and Materials Funds
Challenge: Plastic recycling into cloth requires specialized equipment, which is costly.
Solution: Start small by making prototypes using basic equipment or with the help of local universities or workshops that may have such equipment. Seek collaborations with businesses or non-profits focused on sustainability that may sponsor or donate equipment.
3. Quality control and durability
Challenge: It might take a few tries to get the fabric made from recycled plastic durable and comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Solution: Experiment with different processing techniques and materials that improve the texture and durability of the fabric. Partner with fashion designers to ensure the finished product is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
5. Sustainability of the Project
Challenge: Scaling the project sustainably while maintaining quality could be challenging without financial resources.
Solution: Start with a small, manageable project, creating limited batches of clothing or accessories, and then gradually expand as interest and resources grow. Ensure the project remains community-focused and continues to involve local stakeholders

About 100 people

Yes

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My school could give a big help in providing the classrooms where I can conduct my training sessions for people in my school. I’ve done something similar before when I attended a bootcamp last summer, and it was incredibly supportive. I would also have access to the school’s labs in case I needed them for any project-related testing, so I would have everything I need to make the training a reality and have a significant impact.

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