Seeing a beloved family member suffer with chronic illness has inspired Zaima to do something about it. And she has a plan on how to alleviate the suffering of more than just her mother.
Zaima is one of the winners of Calgary Housing’s inaugural Stability for Success Educational Scholarship. It’s a $2500 scholarship that aims to support Calgary Housing residents on their journeys through post-secondary education.
Currently registered for Archaeology at the University of Calgary, Zaima plans to transfer to engineering with a focus on its biomedical application.
“[This] is the deliberate first step towards becoming a research oriented biomedical engineer. It is not just a collection of courses. It is a structured foundation that bridges the physical sciences with clinical problem solving, and that distinction matters to me,” she says.
Zaima’s interest in this area of study is rooted in watching her mother deal with a chronic illness. She has supported her mother with daily care, including managing her medications, and accompanying her to appointments when necessary. She has done all this while studying full-time and working part-time in the food industry to pay for her education.
This experience has fueled her desire to go further than an undergraduate degree. She wants to progress to get a master’s degree in biomedical science.
And she isn’t stopping there.
“Within five years, my goal is to lead a small research initiative from conceptual design through proof of concept. Not just executing someone else’s protocol, but designing and defending one of my own,” she states.
Her interest lies in helping those with diseases and disabilities.
Zaima’s family is from Pakistan and has lived in Calgary Housing for 5 years. The scholarship will help relieve the financial pressure and allow her to focus more on her studies.
“This scholarship represents not just money, but the freedom to pursue my potential without being held back by circumstances beyond my control,” she says.
It’s even more than that. Zaima feels like this is the confidence boost that she needs to keep going. Aim high. Keep pushing.
“I am determined to succeed, and with this help I can turn that determination into lasting achievement.”
You can read about all the 2026 Stability for Success Scholarship recipients.
