Our Team
Wing Heads.
Asrar Elahi, is the Arts & Culture Wing Lead of Pakistan Association of Otago Inc. Currently he is completing his PhD in Dentistry with research expertise covering periodontal/bone tissue engineering.
His long-term research interests are to development novel strategies to translate tooth regeneration into reality.
Apart from his professional interests Asrar has diverse passion for Arts & Culture. Over the years he as harnessed his Arts skills by completing painting courses from Dunedin School of Arts, learning Islamic calligraphy (Khat Riqah) under Professor of Calligraphy in Morocco and Ustaz in Indonesia, and doing Martial Arts (Taekwondo-Red 2 belt and Jujitsu-Blue belt).
Asrar strongly believes that we can truly connect people of various languages and culture through the language and beauty of Arts which transcends any borders or race.
Asrar’s vision is to cultivate a strong sense of creativity among all those who would like to join him in this journey. As part of the PAO Arts & Culture Wing, there will be:
- Art Workshops for various ages where everyone can express one’s culture through Arts.
- Islamic calligraphy sessions; teaching the sacred knowledge of writing the verses of Quran.
- Teaching mindfulness and promoting mental health by providing a space to paint freely without pressure or judgement.
- Holding Art Exhibitions; promoting the beauty of Pakistani and Islamic culture and the talent of all the wonderful people who join us.
- Collaboration between Maori and Pakistani Artists to better integrate Pakistani community with local culture and vice versa.
Dr. Muhammad Hassan, also known as Jack Han and Lu Han, is a neuroscientist, doctor, businessman, teacher, and active community contributor originally from Pakistan and belonging to the Afghan ethnicity. He obtained his doctorate degree in neuroscience with three internationally recognized publications in December 2022 from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Prior to that, he completed his Master of Surgery degree in 2016 from Zhejiang University of China and his MBBS degree in 2012 from Soochow University of China.
Dr. Muhammad Hassan has extensive expertise in electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, immunohistological analyses, and neurosurgery. He also has experience in teaching medical subjects, working with mental health patients, and working in hospitals in Pakistan and China. Currently, he is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has taken over courses for neuroimaging and machine learning.
Aside from his work in the medical field, Dr. Muhammad Hassan is also the CEO of Han’s Family Limited with two daughter companies, Alaina Natural Beauty and Inara NZ limited. Alaina Natural Beauty retails in natural organic sustainable skincare products and flower-girl dresses, while Inara NZ limited formulates natural organic skincare products. Dr. Muhammad Hassan is also an avid fan of photography and has started a YouTube channel under the name thatbegins_now. Moreover, he is also contributing to his community as the active secretary-general of the Otago Quran Study Group.
Dr. Muhammad Hassan prides himself in valuing honesty, integrity, and loyalty over all other qualities as essential in dealing with the vicissitudes of life. This is reflected in his attitude towards what he does. As a health practitioner, his highest priority has been to acquire the best knowledge, training, and resources to equip himself with the means to bring betterment in the lives of those suffering. As a brain health researcher, he is passionate and diligent in unravelling answers to the unknown, which can subsequently be utilized for the betterment of humanity. As a founder and CEO of Han’s Family Limited, he works to provide people with services and products that are rooted in honesty, sustainability, and betterment. As a family man and a human, he aims to serve himself, his family, and humanity to achieve the ultimate goodness.
Dr. Zohaib Rana Amjad Ali is a dedicated and passionate sports and wellbeing lead for the Pakistan Association of Otago. With a deep commitment to promoting physical activity, mental health, and community engagement, Dr. Rana has established himselves as a respected voice in the community.
As a graduate of University of Otago with a PhD in molecular biology, Dr. Rana has always been interested in the intersection between physical activity and health. After joining the Pakistan Association of Otago as a sports and wellbeing officer, Dr. Rana has been instrumental in organizing a variety of events and initiatives aimed at promoting physical activity and mental health.
In addition to organizing sports tournaments, fitness classes, and health and wellness workshops, Dr. Rana has also been dedicated to community outreach, fostering strong relationships with other community organizations and engaging with members of the community to better understand their needs.
Community Objectives:
- To promote physical activity and mental health within the Pakistani community of Otago through the organization of sports tournaments, fitness classes, and health and wellness workshops.
- To foster strong relationships with other community organizations in Otago in order to better serve the needs of the Pakistani community.
- To engage with members of the community in order to better understand their needs and develop initiatives that reflect their interests and concerns.
- To provide opportunities for community members to come together, build relationships, and celebrate their culture and heritage.
Through Dr. Rana’s tireless efforts, the Pakistan Association of Otago has become a vibrant and engaged community, dedicated to promoting physical activity, mental health, and community engagement. Their work serves as an inspiration to others in the community, and demonstrates the power of collaboration and commitment in achieving meaningful change.
Anam is a highly accomplished scholar who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from Otago University along with teaching at the Linguistics Dept. Her research primarily focuses on comparing the academic writing of university students from Pakistan and New Zealand, with a specific emphasis on their ability to publish their work in prestigious international journals.
Prior to her doctoral program, Anam worked as a lecturer at Princess Noura University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for two years. During this time, she gained valuable experience in teaching and working with students from diverse backgrounds. In addition, she also worked with Saudi Aramco and Oxford partnership college, which provided her with a wealth of practical experience and knowledge.
Anam has a deep passion for helping people, especially those from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. She takes pride in assisting individuals in realizing their dreams and achieving success in their chosen homeland, New Zealand. Moreover, Anam is an avid traveller, having visited over 25 countries. Her travel experiences have given her a unique perspective on different cultures, and she understands the importance of diversity and cultural exchange.
As a scholar, Anam is committed to the idea that language plays a critical role in bridging cultural divides. She believes that her research can contribute to creating a more inclusive and harmonious world. Anam’s work demonstrates her dedication to academic excellence and her unwavering commitment to helping individuals from diverse backgrounds.