ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT QANDEEL BATOOL, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
National University of Sciences & Technology | Islamabad, Pakistan | Advancing SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG 11 & UNAI 9
" I believe that challenges are lessons that shape resilience and purpose. My motivation comes from a desire to serve communities and create opportunities that last. The Millennium Fellowship excites me as a platform where I can grow these values and turn them into meaningful impact. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: EcoSynergy
"EcoSynergy is a campus-wide sustainability initiative launched by the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) under its role as the UNAI Global Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The project marks the formal commencement of NUST’s Phase-Out Plastic Campaign, aimed at reducing dependency on single-use plastics and embedding sustainable consumption practices within the university ecosystem.
The initiative was officially launched by Pro-Rector (RIC), Dr. Rizwan Riaz, and saw active participation from students, faculty members, and campus staff—reflecting a strong institutional commitment to environmental responsibility and collective action.
A central component of EcoSynergy was the SDG 12 Awareness Hike conducted along the NUST trail. This experiential learning activity featured interactive awareness stations that highlighted the environmental, economic, and health impacts of plastic pollution. Participants engaged with creative demonstrations showcasing sustainable alternatives, lifecycle impacts of plastic products, and everyday actions that contribute to responsible consumption. To reinforce positive behavior, eco-friendly incentives were awarded to participants demonstrating active engagement and learning.
As a tangible policy outcome of the project, the NUST Sustainability Office (Sustainable) announced a strategic shift from single-use plastic bottles to reusable glass bottles across campus. This transition represents a concrete step toward waste minimization, circular resource use, and institutional leadership in sustainability practices.
Overall, EcoSynergy serves as a scalable model for behavior change, awareness-building, and policy-driven sustainability action within higher education institutions, aligning operational practices with global SDG 12 targets while fostering an environmentally conscious campus culture."
About the Millennium Fellow
Qandeel Batool is an undergraduate biotechnology student passionate about scientific innovation, education equity, and empowering young women through access to knowledge. She has organized and led multiple university events, combining her interests in science communication, community engagement, and creative outreach. With a strong focus on cancer research, DNA technology, and synthetic biology, she aims to pursue advanced research while also advocating for opportunities for underserved communities. Her diverse experiences reflect both leadership and a commitment to making education and science more inclusive.
