With over 13.000 alumni worldwide, the IHS Alumni Network gathers international experts in urban development from across the globe. In this series we reconnect with some familiar faces and find out more about their professional path after graduation.
Meet Marina
Marina has a background in architecture. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she began working in the development sector as an accessibility auditor. She was later awarded the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) scholarship, which allowed her to pursue a master’s degree Urban Management and Development at IHS. Since obtaining her masters, she returned to Egypt, where she has held various roles across different industries.
A dream come true
Finding a career path that suits you can be challenging for many. With numerous options available, it requires a lot of self-reflection and a sense of openness to explore new things. Like many of her peers, Marina faced challenges in navigating her career path. As she progressed through her bachelor’s programme, she started to question whether architecture was really the right fit for her. Around this time, she enrolled in a course on urban development and soon realised that it wasn’t just about designing buildings; it was about people, politics and a human-centred approach. Once Marina discovered this, she knew she had found the path she wanted to follow. Her growing interest in urban development was also shaped by her own experiences in Egypt, where she saw the realities of informal settlements.
Prior to coming to IHS, she interned at Housing and Building National Research Center. There, she conducted field research of these informal settlements. By talking to the residents, she became more interested in the right to housing and the right to land, rights that are often ignored when discussing buildings.
Her growing interest in these issues led her to apply for the housing track at IHS, where these topics are central to the curriculum. After being awarded the OKP scholarship, Marina moved to the Netherlands to pursue her master's at IHS. In Rotterdam, she had the chance to connect with peers from different countries, gaining valuable insights into urban development from a wide range of perspectives. She often had discussions with her classmates, exploring how urban development is experienced and implemented across various contexts.
Habitat for humanity
Marina always knew she wanted to work in a people-centric environment and industry. It is only natural that she ended up working at one of her dream companies: Habitat for Humanity. This organisation focuses on helping people from lower socio-economic backgrounds around the globe access decent housing.
Her role is very diverse and offers many opportunities for on-site work, which is extremely important to Marina. She does not want to lose the ability to connect with people and see how they experience urban development. She recalls a recent visit to a governorate in Egypt called Elminya, as part of a programme she is working on. During her visit, she and her colleagues checked on the informal settlements and talked with the residents. When she is not on-site, Marina spends her time writing proposals, establishing agreements and managing the housing projects.
She is currently working on a project focused on demolishing houses that are no longer safe to live in. While this step is necessary due to the risks these structures pose, it can be a difficult and emotional transition for the residents. Gaining insight into their needs, concerns, and wishes is key to navigating the changes in the region.
Reflecting on her time at IHS, Marina recalls a class assignment that mirrors the realities she now faces. The class was split into two groups for a negotiation exercise: her group advocated for participatory planning, while the other argued against it. The debate that followed highlighted both the value and complexity of involving communities in the planning process. Now, in her career, Marina is applying these lessons in practice, experiencing firsthand both the benefits and difficulties of participatory planning.
"It’s important to contextualise everything, to understand how things work in your own context. That’s something I learned at IHS, and now I’m applying it in Egypt." - Marina Fahim
Words of advise
As the current UMD cohort embarks on their thesis period, it’s natural to feel the weight of what lies ahead. However, Marina advises students to keep a balanced perspective, reminding them to make time for friends and enjoy the experience of living in the Netherlands. University years pass quickly, and one day, you might look back on your time as a student and even miss the stressful moments. Having faced her own challenges, Marina stresses the importance of staying grounded. She advises students to believe in themselves, stay focused on their goals and trust that persistence will help them navigate the hurdles ahead
"I think being persistent is very important, because I got many rejections and I learned that that I shouldn't take no for an answer. Persistence is very, very important." - Marina Fahim
