From Hunza Valley to the World: Nishat’s Journey of Education, Connection, and Change

The Power of Connection

Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." That quote perfectly captures Nishat Riaz MBE . Her warm smile and presence have a way of making people feel truly seen and valued.

We first connected during a lunchtime walk, bonding over our shared love of mountains. As our conversations deepened, I was struck by the profound impact she has had—not just within the British Council, but across the world. She has a way of bringing people together, of using education as a bridge to cross metaphorical mountains, just as she once crossed the real ones surrounding her childhood home.

Born in the 1970s in Hunza, a remote valley in Northern Pakistan, Nishat spent her early years surrounded by breathtaking peaks. While she cherished her home, she was always curious about the world beyond. Her first opportunity to explore it came through work, allowing her to experience different cultures firsthand. Over time, she travelled across nearly every continent—Antarctica remains on her list, though her youngest son promises to capture a video of her from space one day when he becomes a space medic.

Despite all her travels, she never lost sight of where she came from. The mountains that once defined her world became symbols of possibility rather than limitation. This realization became her lifelong mission: to use education as a force for global collaboration, connection, and understanding.

Women in Education: Breaking Barriers

For Nishat, education is more than knowledge—it is a tool for transformation. Some of her most defining moments have been witnessing women break barriers and redefine their futures. Seeing women working as carpenters, electricians, and surveyors, challenging gender norms, has been incredibly rewarding. Watching young girls enter classrooms and universities, scholarships turning their dreams into reality, reminds her why she does what she does.

One moment stands out above all others: being part of the establishment of the first university in the Gilgit-Baltistan mountain ranges in the early 2000s. As the institution’s first employee and teacher, she vividly remembers standing before a classroom of 30 young women, delivering their first-ever lecture. That moment remains imprinted in her soul—a testament to the power of education in changing lives.

Open to Change, Always Evolving

When asked how she navigates change, Nishat smiles. For her, every day is a new beginning. She doesn’t see challenges as roadblocks but as opportunities for growth. She believes that while we cannot control everything that happens, we can control how we respond—and that response defines the path forward.

Unlike many, she doesn’t lie awake at night worrying. She believes that nature is designed for rest, and she strives for a sense of peace that allows her to sleep without stress. Not every day ends with all tasks completed or all challenges resolved, but she reminds herself that tomorrow always brings another chance to do better.

Looking back, she would tell her younger self to slow down. Not everything needs an immediate answer. Some things take time. And sometimes, the unexpected detours lead to the most rewarding journeys.

Looking Ahead

Leadership has changed over the years, but for Nishat, its essence remains the same—it’s about leading with kindness, authenticity, and respect. She believes that true leadership lies in valuing people, cultures, and perspectives, and she often asks herself, "What does respect mean to me?" to ensure it guides her actions.

As for the future, she embraces its uncertainty. The pace of change makes it impossible to predict what the next decade—or even the next year—will bring. It’s not just technological advancements that intrigue her, but the evolution of human values. Will we become more connected, more empathetic, more accepting? That remains to be seen.

One thing she never expected, though, was mastering a MacBook after 40 years as a loyal PC user—proof that even the smallest changes can surprise us.

Comparing the Nishat who stepped onto the British Council train in 2008 to the Nishat of today, she smiles. Back then, she was young, loved horse riding, had a handful of close friends, and wasn’t on social media. She was a hardworking mother of twin toddlers, deeply passionate about education. Today, she is still young at heart, now a mother of three, with friends across the world and an even stronger commitment to education. She believes more than ever in the power of girls to shape a better world.

And along the way, she has picked up new skills—she can play chess, has tried paragliding, and, thanks to Duolingo, can even speak basic Spanish. Le debo mucho a Duolingo!