Isra Ahme

From Pakistan
Junior; Shaw College; SME
Winner of 2019 Guangdong Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship

Isra Ahmed is a Muslim international student from Pakistan majoring in Global Business and Innovation. With “global” and “innovation” being the two key words, she has certainly excelled at implementing them and paving the way for further development. 

Having done exchange in the United States, Isra is currently trying to apply for another one in New Zealand. Going on exchange to a different country is an entire new experience where you get to meet different people, enrich your world view and expand your network beyond the typical circles. In this way, exchanging helps build social skills and confidence. Another benefit is a shift in perspective. “You start appreciating the things you've previously been taking for granted. For example, after America I started to truly appreciate the value of public transport in China and the convenience of life in Shenzhen. You also realize how insignificant the matters you care so deeply about are once you are out of a certain place. So, it removes the artificial limits you set on your thinking with regards to your world being restricted to one place and get a broader vision for life.”
Isra Ahmed来自巴基斯坦，目前就读于环球商务与创新专业。在此前的两年里，她分别在港中深和美国南卡罗莱纳大学完成了学业，目前则在申请去新西兰奥克兰大学交换。在异国求学的经历使她获益良多，既提升了阅历，也启发了她从全新的视角来看待事物。
 Currently, Isra is managing a sports apparel company with her brother in partnership with a Canadian firm, she in charge of the marketing side. They started by focusing on small scale customers, for most manufacturers accept only mass order quantities and the needs of small businesses are often unmet.

The real passion of Isra, however, lies in the integration of 3D technology with e-commerce. Early in childhood, her father introduced her to CAD software which can simulate clothes on an avatar’s body as in real life and do modifications to the clothing. This gave her an inspiration about changing how future businesses work using 3D technology. Though the idea is still in the start-up phase, a promising future is guaranteed.
Isra目前和她的哥哥共同管理一家加拿大合资的运动服企业。由于许多生产商只接收大笔订单，规模较小的客户的需求往往得不到满足，这成为了他们的商机。
其实，3D科技在商业中的运用是Isra真正的兴趣所在。她父亲早早让她接触到了CAD等软件，在虚拟形象上模拟真实衣物的效果并加以裁剪。这给她带来了灵感：3D科技或许会改变未来商业的运作模式。
With globalization and technology nowadays both advancing in large strides, we as members of an international university could well take advantage of our platform and our time. We may take a leaf out of Isra Ahmed’s book, start pondering with new perspectives, and break whatever limits we have placed on ourselves before.
如今，全球化的浪潮和科技的进步正势如破竹。作为一所国际化大学的一员，我们同样需要寻找新的视角，改变固定的看法，不让过去的顾虑阻挡自己的脚步。

Q&A:

Q: Could you tell us a bit about running your company? 
A: So, our company manufactures all sorts of sports apparel. My brother handles production and logistics and I work on the marketing side of things. It is in partnership with a Canadian firm so we get to say “Designed in Canada and manufactured in Pakistan”. We’ve started by focusing on small scale customers by keeping our Minimum Order Quantity as low as five pieces. This is because most small-scale businesses have their needs unmet since manufacturers mostly accept mass quantities. How it works is like the client would tell us the designs they have in mind and we will make a 3D version of it first. Once approved, we get on with the rest of the procedure of sampling, production, quality assurance and shipment. 

Q: Do you have any advices for schoolmates who want to start up/ join the management of a company?
A: I am just a beginner and I think I have a lot to learn before I start with advices. Starting a business is a big responsibility and it requires a lot of patience amidst a great deal of uncertainty. It does indeed take everything that established entrepreneurs talk about in their stories like immense commitment and working tirelessly. Having the right people in your network definitely helps.

采访/文：杨晓霓
审校：陈心逸
排版：晏紫
指导老师：许璐鹏（OSA）