Q: What was your biggest achievement in the role?

A: The Doctoral School Multidisciplinary Symposium was definitely the biggest challenge and the most rewarding part of my time as Chair. It was a three-day event hosted at the Technology and Innovation Centre involving oral presentations, a poster session, and keynote speakers.

One major challenge was managing volunteer turnout. Unlike paid roles, volunteering means people might drop out. We had to plan for that. It was a learning curve, especially for us as first-year PhD students managing a large-scale event. But we found ways to make volunteering enjoyable, meaningful, and rewarding—which kept people engaged.

Throughout the Symposium as a whole we had more than 100 student participants across all faculties, which really reflected the growing interest in interdisciplinary research. The feedback was fantastic, and many students asked how they could get involved next year. That made all the work worth it.

Q: What advice would you give to someone hesitant about getting involved in leadership or extracurricular roles?

A: Take a chance on yourself. The biggest obstacle is often your own self-doubt. There will always be reasons not to do something – too busy, not confident enough – but the most growth comes when you step up anyway. You’ll learn so much, especially when things get tough.

And you won’t be alone – there’s always support available if you seek it out. Don’t let fear stop you from taking opportunities that could shape your future.

Does Zain’s story inspire you? You can help him to be named our Inspiring Entrepreneurial Strathclyder 2025, by taking part in our public vote.