Ishtiaq Afridi
Master of Science in Sustainability Management • University of Toronto Mississauga
Masters in DevelopmentStudies • Institute of Management Sciences
Diploma in Business Administration • Manchester College of Professional Studies
Bachelor of Business Administration • Agricultural University Peshawar
Bio
Ishtiaq Afridi is an experienced professional with over five years of work experience in the social and financial sectors. Combining a mix of social, financial and environmental knowledge gained through the MSc in Sustainability Management, he is highly motivated to develop and implement Sustainability Programs in the corporate sector.
Ishtiaq Afridi grew up in the underdeveloped region of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) of Pakistan, where the literacy rate is less than 30%. Despite all the challenges, he gained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and later on studied a post graduate diploma in Business from Manchester, UK. During his BBA, he utilized his marketing and management skills and raised awareness on social responsibility among local in for profit hospitals to conduct free medical camps in FATA region. After post graduate diploma, he worked as Relationship Manager, for an Investment Bank (IGI Investment Bank) in Pakistan and successfully operationalized a branch office in Peshawar, Pakistan in 2008.
He completed his Masters in Development Studies from Institute of Management Sciences (IM|Sciences) Peshawar, Pakistan with Scholastic Honor’s in 2011. His major areas of interest includes Political Economy of Development, Environment & Sustainable development as well as Public Policy.
During his Master’s degree, he interned with Center for Public Policy & Research (CPPR), a local public policy think tank at IM| Sciences, and conducted research to develop social, economic and political profile of the conflict ridden Swat district in Pakistan during the IDP (Internally Displaced People) crisis. Furthermore, during and after his studies, he has extended his support and time to the institute’s IM|Volunteer program in form of collecting charity, food, water and other items during 2010 and 2012 floods in Pakistan.
Furthermore, his research study, “Evaluation of institutional based skill development program” which was implemented by FATA Development Authority, provided valuable feedback to the government agency for future planning and implementation of development projects in FATA region.
He has worked with Save the Children, Pakistan Program for nearly two years as MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning) Officer. His major responsibilities included developing and managing beneficiary database and conducting data analysis of the key indictors, carrying out regular field monitoring visits of program intervention areas and writings monitoring reports, conducting debrief sessions with relevant program staff to develop an agreed action plan and establishing a comprehensive CRM (Complaint Response Mechanism) to ensure accountability and effective implementation of various projects.
During his free time, he enjoys nature walks, jogging, mountaineering, travelling, playing tennis, cricket, volleyball and badminton.
Ishtiaq is really excited and looking forward to the MSc Sustainability Management Program at University of Toronto. It will help him explore and learn more about various challenges of sustainability which we are facing today and ultimately gain knowledge and develop expertise in various tools and techniques which will help us in finding innovative ways to cope with these challenges.
Ishtiaq's MScSM Internship: Urban Climate Resilience Southeast Asia Partnership
