Welcome to new Durham University Student Energy Society President, Zonash!

The Durham Energy Institute (DEI) is delighted to welcome Zonash Aasim as the new President of the Durham University Student Energy Society (DUSES).

Born and raised in Dubai, with ancestral roots in the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan, Zonash embodies the bridge between global perspectives and local purpose. Now pursuing a degree in Business and Management at Durham University, she is also the first woman in her family to study abroad, a milestone that reflects both determination and a passion for transformative leadership.

Zonash’s journey is defined by her commitment to sustainability, energy innovation, and youth empowerment. Alongside her role as DUSES President, she serves as President of Enactus Durham, guiding student teams to build entrepreneurial solutions for social and environmental challenges, and as a student member of the DEI Advisory Board, where she brings a youth-led global outlook to Durham’s research and outreach in sustainable energy.

Her connection to the environment runs deep. Having hiked to the base camps of K2, Nanga Parbat, and Rakaposhi, Zonash has witnessed firsthand the fragile beauty of the Himalayan landscape, and the devastating effects of a warming climate on glaciers, rivers, and communities. These experiences continue to shape her drive to protect mountain ecosystems and ensure that the people who live closest to nature are also the first to benefit from sustainability innovation.

Her impact extends well beyond the university. In Pakistan, she collaborates closely with the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, contributing to youth engagement strategies and sustainability initiatives in climate-vulnerable regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan. Her proposals focus on waste-to-energy systems, circular-economy models, and renewable-energy innovations designed to improve local resource management and community resilience in remote mountain areas.

Recognised nationally for her work, Zonash was selected as one of only 25 URAAN Scholars, chosen from over 2,300 applicants worldwide, for her leadership in climate innovation and environmental policy. Through this programme, she has collaborated with government officials and experts to advance youth-driven approaches to Pakistan’s national climate agenda.

Zonash’s dedication to global climate diplomacy continues as she prepares to represent youth voices at COP30 in Brazil, building on her ongoing collaboration with Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change. Her aim is to highlight how local communities, especially those in mountain regions like her native Gilgit-Baltistan, can become global models for climate resilience and sustainable resource management.

Professionally, Zonash has also worked with EY (Ernst & Young) Dubai in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services team, supporting projects that embed ESG frameworks and climate policy integration within federal institutions and contributing to global initiatives such as the World Government Summit.

As DUSES President, Zonash aims to strengthen Durham’s position as a hub for student-driven energy innovation, expanding collaboration between students, industry experts, and policymakers. Her plans include new initiatives that connect academic research with practical sustainability challenges, foster mentorship opportunities, and encourage students to develop tangible solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Reflecting on her vision for the year ahead, Zonash shares:

“DUSES isn’t just about energy — it’s about empowerment. My goal is to create a space where students from every discipline can work together to design the solutions our world urgently needs.”

Through her leadership, international collaborations, and enduring passion for climate action, Zonash Aasim represents the next generation of energy and sustainability leaders that the Durham Energy Institute seeks to inspire. Her story, from Dubai’s skyline to the Himalayan valleys and now to Durham’s historic halls, is a testament to what it means to lead with purpose, innovation, and hope for a more sustainable world.