Press Release
KARACHI: Pakistan marked a notable academic milestone as it recognized its first female PhD holder in the field of the blue economy, with researcher Urooj Aijaz completing her doctoral work on the sector’s emerging challenges and opportunities.
Aijaz, a faculty member at Bahria University Karachi, was awarded her PhD by Jinnah University for Women after producing a study titled “Blue Economy of Pakistan: Investigating the Impact of Tourism, Environment and Technology on Blue Growth.”
Her research examined how Pakistan’s coastal and marine resources could be better harnessed for sustainable economic development, while also highlighting the structural barriers that continue to constrain progress.
The study placed particular emphasis on the interplay between tourism, environmental protection and technological innovation, arguing that these factors together shape the country’s capacity for “blue growth”.
Aijaz’s work also underscored the importance of blue education, positioning it as a critical but often overlooked pillar in developing a skilled workforce for maritime and coastal industries.
