MUCH has been said on the matter of brain drain in the country and the reason behind the phenomenon. Many among us are wary of the situation, but I believe there is still hope for Pakistan, for many of these young, talented people want to seek knowledge and return to pay back to the country.

While officially reviewing recent Fulbright applications, I realised that there is still hope. One of the applicants, who was from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, wrote: `I remember the evening when I asked permission from my dad to get admission to my postgraduate studies. Unsurprisingly, like many other girls in the family, I too was not allowed.

`The virtual university came to my rescue where I completed my degree studying remotely and secretly, taking care of the cows and goats in the morning and studying at night. Now I want to go to study in the United States for my PhD to return and be able to mentor girls like me in Pakistan whose potentials are never nurtured because of gender discrimination.

Her story not only shows how we are hampering the untapped potential of our girls. It also underlines how a little help and consideration can work wonders, change lives. In this particular case, an online education platform and mother`s support did the job.

Another girl talking about her motivation wrote: `Flashback to the late 1990s, a time of burgeoning internet and computer technologies, when the world was ready to step into the 21st century, people were excited about flying cars, it was me, along with my seven siblings, running back home from school on a peninsula next to Karachi.

She continued: `It was a normal day, children as young as 10 were getting off ... boats after spending several days at the sea. The area where I grew up,mostly comprised fishermen, port workers and naval sailors. There I came across big machines, noisy tools, dusty work area and people with tired yet smiling faces during a visit to the port workshop. I made up my mind that day that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

`Fast forward to high school, I got enrolled in a public-sector university and joined the forces, understanding that my father`s meagre income was not enough to support my education further. Although I had to change my career path, friends and ways of life, one thing that did not change was my ambition to become an engineer.

Sheis agraduate studentaspiringfor higher education, an engineer and a mother of a nine-year-old, who has shattered the glass ceiling of discrimination, gender gap and social injustice by sheer hard work and dedication. Not only is she ambitious, but also willing to share her success.

These personalaccounts ofthe students` lives tell us a lot about what we need to do for society, and what are the challengesthat ourstudentsface due to lack of information, basic rights and societ al pressures. Furthermore, it is an oversimplification to say that everyyoungpersoninPakistantodayis inclined towards going to foreign countries with the intention of never coming back.

Another young aspirant wants to design a mechanism based on artificial intelligence (AI) to find a solution to electricity theft. These candidates have spent their entire lives facing loadsheddingdespite payingforthe power theft committed by others. Yet, instead of mourning their deprivations, they are inclined to find solutions to the problem that has hampered their lives.

In short, there are people who, despite facing allsorts ofhardships, are inclined to own their country and to take it forward. The hope is still there.

Muhammad Ali Falak Texas, USA