India | Zeenia Saiyadain

Meet Zeenia

Zeenia Saiyadain, a single mother from Lucknow, India started her Master of IT in Cybersecurity at UTS at the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While the pandemic forced Zeenia’s classes and extracurricular activities to be virtual for much of her first year, Zeenia worked hard to succeed academically and build skills that would help her pursue a career as a Product Support Engineer in Sydney.

Upon enrolling at UTS, she was awarded the Engineering and IT Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship based on her high achievement in her undergraduate degree. The scholarship covered between 25% - 35% of UTS tuition fees. After her first term, she won the Engineering (Technical) Postgraduate Achievement Prize—a $2,000 grant awarded to the top three students who have obtained the highest Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of all eligible students. In 2021, Zeenia made the Dean’s List for Outstanding Academic achievement.

“The news of being awarded the Dean’s list and financial grants brought a profound sense of accomplishment and validation for my hard work and dedication to my studies. It not only eased the financial burden but also served as a recognition of my academic efforts, which was incredibly motivating.”

Zeenia credits UTS’ practice-based learning and cutting-edge curriculum for equipping her with the skills she uses in her career today.

“I had the opportunity to work on industry-relevant projects, applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges. This experience taught me project management skills, the ability to work in cross-functional teams, and the importance of meeting deadlines. In my IT courses, I learned the latest software and tools widely used in the industry. My UTS coursework has provided me with a robust skill set—including project management, problem-solving, and technological proficiency, which I apply to the challenges and demands of my career.”

Zeenia seized many opportunities to build a community and develop her leaderships skills. She became a Gender Equity Ambassador for Women in Engineering and IT (WiEIT) and volunteered with UTS HELPS to support fellow international students. Higher Education Language and Presentation Support (HELPS) provides non-credited English language and academic literacy support to UTS students.

 The skills acquired through these volunteer experiences, such as leadership, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration, have directly translated into my professional career. They've equipped me to work effectively in diverse teams, communicate complex ideas, and contribute positively to the workplace culture. Moreover, the sense of fulfilment derived from giving back to the community has instilled a strong commitment to social responsibility in my career path.

Today, Zeenia works as a Product Support Engineer at SS&C Blue Prism in Sydney. 

“My Master's in IT from UTS provided me with the technical expertise and problem-solving skills necessary to excel in my role as a Product Support Engineer. The program equipped me with a deep understanding of IT systems and security protocols, enabling me to effectively troubleshoot complex issues and provide comprehensive product support to our clients.”