Inaya Fawad, a Year 13 student in Dubai and a Canadian Pakistani, is rapidly emerging as an inspiring young leader in sustainable development—one who merges scientific insight with a deep sense of social responsibility. Her work bridges chemistry, community empowerment, and humanitarian action, all guided by a vision for a healthier, more equitable Pakistan.
Under her initiative EcoChem Solutions: Nourishing Pakistan, Inaya recently spearheaded a large-scale Clean Water Project across six rural communities in Sindh. Independently designing and leading the research, she collected and analyzed water samples from schools, neighbourhoods, and industrial areas, testing for severe contamination. Her results revealed that five of the six sites contained water unfit for human consumption. In response, she presented her data to several corporations, securing sponsorship under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. Through these partnerships, she successfully facilitated the installation of five reverse osmosis–based filtration systems, providing sustainable access to safe drinking water for hundreds of families.
Beyond infrastructure, Inaya conducted hands-on educational workshops for over 100 students, teaching them how to filter water using simple chemistry principles—sand, pebbles, and charcoal—to demonstrate particle size separation and promote awareness about clean water practices.
Her commitment to tackling interconnected issues also led her to co-develop a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) formulation designed for children suffering from stunted growth due to maternal malnutrition. This nutrient-dense paste, rich in essential proteins, vitamins, and fats, helps restore healthy development in children under five. Inaya’s role in the research and formulation process reflected both her scientific curiosity and compassion for the communities she serves.
For her leadership, innovation, and cross-disciplinary impact, Inaya was nominated as a Youth Ambassador for Zero Hunger in Pakistan—a recognition that underscores her growing influence in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
A changemaker driven by empathy and expertise, Inaya represents the new generation of scientists determined to turn knowledge into action and hope into tangible progress.