Pakistan’s First Female Train Driver Continues Career Journey at University of Sunderland

Nida Saleh, who is described by the University of Sunderland as Pakistan’s first female train driver, is continuing her professional journey while pursuing an MSc in Engineering Management with AI at the university’s London Campus.

Saleh has spoken about her career, the challenges she faced in entering a male-dominated profession and her efforts to encourage more women to pursue careers in transport and engineering.

Growing up in Pakistan, Saleh said she questioned why women were less likely to pursue independent careers in fields traditionally dominated by men.

Her interest in engineering led her to complete a bachelor’s degree at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore. Although she initially faced questions about choosing a male-dominated profession, she said her family supported her ambitions.

Saleh has credited her mother with encouraging her to pursue her goals and not allow social expectations to determine her career choices.

After completing her engineering studies, Saleh worked as a transportation engineer. She later decided to pursue a career as a train driver after researching the profession and its opportunities.

Following six months of training, she qualified in April 2025 and began working with Lahore’s Metro system.

Saleh said becoming a train driver gave her an opportunity to demonstrate her capabilities and encourage other women to consider careers in transport.

According to the University of Sunderland, Saleh has also contributed to the training of 20 female drivers. During a recent visit to Pakistan, former colleagues told her that more women were now pursuing careers in the transport sector.

Saleh later moved to the UK to continue developing her engineering and management skills. She is currently studying for an MSc in Engineering Management with AI at the University of Sunderland in London.

She said her decision to join the university was driven by a desire to develop leadership skills and continue encouraging greater participation by women in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Saleh has expressed an ambition to progress into an operations manager role and contribute to making the transport and engineering industries more inclusive.

Alongside her studies, she is working as a Student Ambassador and is involved with the university’s SU Crew.

She said her experience at the University of Sunderland had provided academic support as well as opportunities to develop professional skills and prepare for her future career.

Saleh’s journey highlights the growing participation of women in engineering and transport and reflects the importance of education, professional training and workplace opportunities in supporting women entering traditionally male-dominated fields.