This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Syed Fasih Uddin who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in software engineering from Usman Institute of Technology in Pakistan.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Student Ambassador was a very rewarding experience for me. It has made my student life more interesting and fun. Through this program, I gained knowledge and established a wide network of connections, both locally in my country, Pakistan, and globally.
When you are trusted with the brand name of the world's biggest tech company, you have to prove your worth. This program has allowed me to enhance my skills and provided me with an excellent platform to share my knowledge with the global learning community. It has helped me develop important leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, and I am now proficient in managing events with ease. I have become more technically adept and skilled at quickly learning new technologies. As a result, I now confidently lead discussions and have become a better community builder.
Syed at Microsoft EDU Day in Karachi, Pakistan.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
"Throughout my journey, I have had a range of diverse experiences. In 2021, I was selected for a program and was the only ambassador at my campus. I took on the responsibility of building the community myself and founded the “Microsoft Learn Student Community - UIT”. As I graduate, I am proud to have a team of more than 11 ambassadors currently serving in my university.
Another achievement I feel proud of is co-founding the MLSA - Karachi Chapter, which is an umbrella community to assist all the MLSA university communities of Pakistan's largest city, Karachi. Bringing members together on one platform has been a fulfilling experience.
Participating in the Imagine Cup 2023, securing wins at regional and national stages, and then passing on that knowledge to students as a Microsoft designated mentor for the Imagine Cup 2024 had been an incredibly fulfilling experience. I owe it all to MLSA for introducing me to Imagine Cup. Without the confidence that the program imparted in me, I wouldn't have been able to apply for Imagine Cup.
Lastly, I am grateful for the opportunities to speak at big events where I addressed large audiences. These opportunities have made me the person I am today."
Syed and others at the first MLSA Karachi meeting.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
As a Student Ambassador, I delved into various Azure services, thanks to the program's resources, which enabled me to learn and grow. As a result, I earned two MS certificates, AZ-900 and AI-900. This has equipped me to converse confidently about cloud architecture, build architectures, and give talks on Cloud Computing and Microsoft Azure.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program offers much more than just a title or certification. It provides you with endless learning opportunities, on which the top is access to its vibrant community. It forces you to make your today a little better than yesterday. It can be by building leadership skills, fostering collaboration and innovation, or improving technical skills. As a student ambassador, you get everything you need to be a successful individual in life.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
My advice to my fellow ambassadors is to always prioritize personal growth by embracing challenges and sharing things. If you want to be successful, then start collaborating with people, and start sharing quality information with them. The more knowledge you share, the more you learn.
Syed, giving a talk at NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
“The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.” - Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) [Ref;Bukhari 6114] When working in a group and leading people, not every experience is positive. However, if you can maintain your composure during moments of anger and stay focused on the bigger picture, you are truly valuable. I learned this the hard way after messing up countless times.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
I have always loved computers since the beginning. However, as a student in Pakistan, I didn't have many opportunities to practice computer science. With a passion for becoming one of the best software engineers in the world, I opted for the software engineering field and applied for the student ambassador program of the world's largest tech company. I now aspire to get into Microsoft one day and I'm preparing with the fullest of my efforts for it.
Syed presents during the closing ceremony of Microsoft Imagine Cup in Islamabad.
You can follow Syed here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sssfasih/
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