QSAP alumni story series — Story 2
After Afghanistan’s government collapsed in August 2021, the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) was forced to close, leaving thousands of students without a path to continue their education. In response, AFF and its partners launched the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP), enabling displaced AUAF students to resume their studies abroad. Today, more than 175 QSAP scholars have graduated and begun rebuilding their futures.
In our monthly QSAP alumni stories series, we highlight the journey of those graduates now giving back to their new communities.
A new chapter begins through QSAP
For Mujtaba Naqib, a 23-year-old born and raised in Malaysia to Afghan parents, the meaning of home carries layers of experience. His parents had moved to Malaysia 30 years ago. His father is currently a professor of law at the International Islamic University of Malaysia. Although Naqib spent his entire childhood there, he never received permanent residency or Malaysian citizenship.
In mid-2021, with his Malaysian visa close to expiring during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Naqib decided to travel back to Afghanistan for an internship with an IT company. Just weeks later, Afghanistan’s government collapsed. He was among thousands evacuated during the August 2021 airlift.
“I spent four days in a camp in Qatar and 45 days in Germany before arriving in Quantico, Virginia,” he recalled. “I started reaching out to universities, and Bard College offered me admission. But I didn’t have the funding or a way to get a visa.”
Through QSAP, Naqib received the financial support and guidance he needed to pursue his degree. “When I got accepted, I felt a huge sense of relief,” he said. “Amid all the uncertainty, I finally had the opportunity to continue my education and rebuild my future.”
Naqib majored in computer science and embraced every opportunity that came his way. “My journey has been amazing,” he said. “Before graduating, I received a job offer from PepsiCo, where I now work as a tech strategy and innovation analyst. I felt so relieved to secure a job even before finishing my degree.”
He often shares advice with other students navigating similar paths: “Start early. Towards the end of my studies, I applied for more than 100 internships in 2023. I only got a few interviews, but one of them led to an internship in May 2024 — and that turned into a full-time job.”
Along the way, Naqib also found something deeply personal: love. “I met the love of my life through QSAP,” he said with a smile. “She’s also a QSAP scholar who studied Political Science and Dual masters degree in accounting and business administration in Boston. She now works as an auditor at Deloitte in Stamford, Connecticut. We’re both so grateful for the program — it gave us education, community and a future.”
For Naqib, QSAP was more than a scholarship. “It gave me a chance to finally feel settled,” he said. “To live, learn, and belong.”
- What did it mean to you personally to be accepted into the program, and how has QSAP shaped your life and opportunities?
A: When I first got accepted into Bard College, I remember feeling a sense of relief that I have the opportunity to continue my education. Being accepted into the program allowed me to meet many different individuals along the way which has helped shape my life in the United States in a better way and allowed me to start living the American dream that many people talk about.
- What has your journey been like since graduating?
A: The journey has been amazing! I started working full time about a month after I graduated and am super happy to be surrounded by colleagues who are very supportive and who constantly push me to be a better version of myself. I also met her at Bard and she was also a recipient of the scholarship program. That is another reason why I am super grateful to the program because without the program, I wouldn’t have met my wife.
3. Is there a story, memory, or moment from your journey that stands out and that you’d like others to know?
A: When I first landed in the United States, I spent time at a camp in Quantico, Virginia. During my time there, I had my laptop open and would be applying to universities here and there. When I got my acceptance letter to Bard, I remember running happily to my cousin who was with me at the camp to let him know I got accepted on a full academic scholarship. I remember seeing him so happy and he gave a hug telling me how proud he was of me. After that, he called many family members letting them know that I got accepted on a full academic scholarship. The happiness I saw that day filled me with a sense of accomplishment that I still carry with me to this day.
4. What do you wish people understood about the importance of supporting education for Afghans in crisis?
A: The people of Afghanistan want an education for their children. They would like to see their children live a life where they are able to make a decision on their future from the opportunities that are presented in front of them. Any contribution to helping the youth of Afghanistan get the education they deserve is a good step in combatting the extremist Taliban mentality and contributes to a more prosperous Afghanistan.
Mujtaba Naqib’s journey reflects how a single opportunity can reshape an entire future. From displacement and uncertainty to stability, community and professional success, his story underscores the transformative power of education.
This series highlights the lived experiences of QSAP alumni whose resilience continues to inspire.
The next story in the series will be published in late January.