Real progress starts when you listen to yourself and trust that you are capable of more than you imagined.
Mahjoba Shariq
- Degree:
- Master of Applied Science
- Grad year: 2025
- Program:
- Campus: Vancouver
I’m Mahjoba Shariq, a Master of Applied Science graduate whose work sits at the intersection of sustainability, human rights, and responsible resource development. My interdisciplinary applied science background allows me to approach the mining sector with a holistic perspective, one that values people, land, and long-term community wellbeing.
At UBC, I explored how sustainability frameworks and human rights principles can guide resource projects toward ethical practice. My experience at Teck Resources strengthened this understanding by exposing me to sustainability risk, ethical decision-making, and responsible project planning within the mining industry.
Having grown up in Afghanistan and advanced my education in Canada, I carry a deep sense of responsibility toward both places. Afghanistan is rich in mineral resources and even richer in the potential of its people. I hope to contribute to community-centred mining initiatives that uplift local capacity and create opportunities for women and children. Afghanistan needs strong women who can support development and lead with purpose, and I aspire to be part of that future.
My work is driven by the belief that sustainability and human dignity must guide every decision, in Canada, Afghanistan, and anywhere meaningful change can be made.
How are you applying the skills you learned at UBC?
My interdisciplinary education at UBC taught me how to analyze complex sustainability challenges through environmental, social, and ethical frameworks. I learned how sustainability risk, human rights, and community-centred project design shape responsible mining practices.
Through my internship at Teck Resources, I applied these skills to work involving sustainability risk assessment, community considerations, and ethical decision-making. This experience helped me understand how mining projects directly influence people, land, and long-term planning.
Beyond technical frameworks, the most valuable skills I gained were communication, cultural awareness and the ability to translate detailed information into accessible insights. These skills are essential not only in Canada’s resource sector but also in Afghanistan, where thoughtful project planning can support economic growth, protect the environment and empower communities, especially women.
What advice would you give a student entering Mining Engineering?
Embrace every challenge, they become the foundation of your confidence and growth. Don’t be afraid of the future; shape it. Be active in your learning and your life. Attend seminars, join workshops, and take advantage of the opportunities UBC offers. Build your network intentionally, meet people from different backgrounds, and let curiosity guide you.
Balance your academic journey with activities that bring joy and wellbeing: yoga classes, gym sessions, nature walks, or anything that makes you feel grounded.
Most importantly, build your own brand. Believe in your story, your values and your individuality. Let your experiences in Canada or anywhere your life has taken you, make you stand out. Your perspective is your strength.
What is next for you?
My next step is to continue building a career in sustainability, human rights and project management within the mining sector. I hope to grow into a strong project manager who can lead initiatives grounded in community engagement, environmental responsibility and ethical decision-making.
While I plan to deepen my experience in Canada’s mining industry, I am also committed to contributing to Afghanistan’s mineral sector in the future. Afghanistan is rich in resources, and its progress depends on capable leaders, women, who can drive development with integrity and purpose.
Alongside my professional goals, I want to support women and children in Afghanistan through initiatives focused on empowerment, education, and community wellbeing. My vision is to contribute to both countries and help build futures rooted in sustainability, dignity, and opportunity.
