“Seeking Truth from Facts, Filling Container Slowly”— Pakistani Student Asma Bibi's Journey of China–Pakistan Friendship

For Asma Bibi, a Pakistani doctoral student at the School of Architecture at Tianjin University, one particular moment remains unforgettable. "When Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned the letter written by Pakistani students at Tianjin University during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, I felt deeply honored," she recalled. "It meant far more than personal recognition—it was a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan."

At 37, Asma has devoted more than a decade to grassroots climate action, community development, and mental health advocacy in Pakistan. What began as volunteer work has evolved into a lifelong mission shaped by one pivotal experience: the devastating floods that struck Pakistan in 2010.

"I was 21 at the time," she said. "I witnessed entire communities lose their homes and struggle to recover from the trauma. That disaster made me realize that climate change is not only an environmental issue—it also causes long-term psychological and social suffering."

Determined to make a difference, Asma began working in flood-affected communities, promoting climate awareness, mental health support, and ecological restoration. In the early years, limited funding and a lack of institutional support made the work especially difficult.

"My mother and sister were the ones who encouraged me to keep going," she said. "Even after I started working, I spent nearly 70 percent of my salary supporting community projects, including environmental education, psychological assistance programs, and tree-planting campaigns."

Over the past 13 years, her efforts have reached communities across Pakistan. To date, Asma has organized 1,278 public outreach activities, planted more than 16,000 trees, and carried out projects in 28 cities and 300 villages.

Seeking stronger academic foundations for her fieldwork, Asma came to China in 2024 to pursue a PhD in Landscape Architecture at Tianjin University.

"I chose Tianjin University because of its interdisciplinary research environment," she explained. "My academic interests connect climate resilience, psychology, and nature-based solutions. The expertise of my supervisor in child mental health and plant therapy aligns perfectly with my background and research goals."

Her current research focuses on the relationship between climate change, psychological well-being, and sustainable community development. She hopes to transform years of grassroots experience into scalable, evidence-based solutions that can help climate-vulnerable communities improve both ecological resilience and mental well-being.

While pursuing her studies at Tianjin University, Asma has continued to gain international recognition for her work. In 2025, she received the R.K. Pachauri Award, which honors young climate advocates dedicated to practical community engagement.

In April 2026, she was invited to participate in the Second Open Dialogue International Youth Conference in Moscow. The conference attracted 1,638 submissions from 100 countries, with only 104 scholars from 43 countries selected for fully funded in-person participation.

"It was a great honor to be selected," Asma said. "My paper, From Floods to Futures: A Transformative Theory of Climate and Psychological Resilience, was included in the official conference proceedings, and I also had the opportunity to join a closed-door discussion with senior government representatives."

Her academic journey continues to gain momentum. This July, she will deliver a keynote presentation at the 14th International Festival of Public Health at the University of Manchester, and her research paper will be published in the Journal of Public Health by Oxford University Press.

Despite these achievements, Asma remains deeply grateful for the support she has received in China.

"None of these accomplishments belong to me alone," she said. "I am thankful for the guidance of my professors, the encouragement of my classmates, and the strong academic platform provided by Tianjin University. More importantly, they reflect the spirit of friendship and mutual support between young people in China and Pakistan."

Life at Tianjin University has also given her a profound sense of belonging far from home.

"I once planned to spend my birthday quietly, but my supervisor and classmates surprised me with a cake and handwritten cards," she recalled. "It became one of the most memorable birthdays of my life. At that moment, I truly felt that I had found another family in China."

She was equally touched by the warmth of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

"My professor invited me to celebrate the Spring Festival with Chinese students at her home. We made dumplings together and counted down to the New Year. I never felt like a stranger."

Looking ahead, Asma hopes to continue advancing her "climate–mental health–community resilience" framework while strengthening academic cooperation between China and Pakistan.

"I want to use Tianjin University as a bridge for deeper collaboration between young scholars from both countries," she said. "There is tremendous potential for joint research in climate adaptation, post-disaster psychological recovery, and ecological governance."

Reflecting on her journey—from grassroots activism in Pakistan to academic research in China—Asma says two guiding principles have shaped her path.

"The motto of Tianjin University, 'Seeking Truth from Facts,' has taught me the importance of practical action and perseverance," she said.

She also quoted a Pakistani proverb, which roughly translates to English as: "Slowly, slowly, the container fills."

"Meaningful achievements are built step by step over time," she added. "I will continue dedicating myself to climate research, community service, and strengthening the friendship between the young people of China and Pakistan."

By: Yu Boyang