MBA student uses entrepreneurial spirit to overcome adversity, give back
As a former soccer player, Carl H. Lindner College of Business Master of Business Administration student Ahmad Bilal Niazi, MBA ’25, never takes his eye off the ball.
“I had a dream. I have a dream right now, to be successful, to make my family, friends and everyone who knows me proud, and to do more for my community.”
Born in Afghanistan, education was a value instilled in Niazi from a young age, as his father held a degree in engineering and his mother ran a school. This passion drove Niazi to enter university at the age of 15, where he studied business administration and practical psychology at Khana-e-Noor University in Afghanistan.
After the end of the war in Afghanistan resulted in Taliban control of the country, Niazi and his family were forced to flee to Pakistan. Although his family later sought asylum in Germany, due to his age, Niazi could not join them and remained alone in Pakistan, where he also had to overcome a difficult knee injury.
Ahmad Bilal Niazi, MBA '25. Photo by Danielle Lawrence.
Never one to sit idly by, Niazi saw an opportunity to give back and aid other Afghan refugees. He began working with the Uplift Afghanistan Fund, becoming a teacher for young students. But Niazi’s advocacy extended beyond teaching to include relocation, housing and food assistance for hundreds of individuals.
During this time, Niazi also served as country manager for the Afghanistan Refugee Resettlement Group (ARRG). This group supported U.S.-trained Afghan pilots and their families through a stressful time of transition. With Niazi’s help, 15 pilots and their families were able to resettle in the United States, with an additional three prepared to do the same.
Niazi saw even more opportunity to connect with and aid the community of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, founding AB Academy to educate child refugees. To date, more than 250 boys and girls have passed through the halls of AB Academy.
“I’ve lived all my life with one philosophy: ‘In seeking happiness for others, I found it for myself.’ This keeps me motivated. Whenever I see a child happy, I am motivated to do more for them,” said Niazi of what fuels him.
That was a dream, to have an MBA, and to be a businessman, to help my community.
Ahmad Bilal Niazi, MBA '25
But Niazi’s mission to spread educational opportunities does not end there. He recently founded an online extension of AB Academy that caters to Afghan girls in grades seven through 12. As girls in Afghanistan are not allowed to complete their education past grade six, the school provides a means for those with internet access to do so. Through the program, more than 500 students are able to attend classes on a daily basis.
Seeing his students’ success only propels Niazi further.
“Now, all of my students are out of Pakistan, living in other countries, and they are texting ‘We are successful now. It's because of you.’ I still have the messages printed in my diary, and I'm looking at them and it's making me more energized.”
New chapter, new perspectives
Introduced to the college by one of his colleagues in the ARRG, Niazi saw himself at Lindner from the moment he laid eyes on an image of Lindner Hall.
“That was a dream, to have an MBA, and to be a businessman, to help my community,” says Niazi of his early business aspirations.
Now enrolled in Lindner’s full-time, cohort MBA program, Niazi will engage in unique experiences including travel and capstone projects with leading companies.
Niazi's AB Academy provides educational opportunities to young Afghan refugees. Photo provided.
“The Lindner MBA was pleased to have Bilal join the cohort program as part of the Class of 2025. Bilal is an entrepreneur who epitomizes what we mean by ‘doing business for the greater good,’” said Johnny Rungtusanatham, PhD, academic director of Lindner’s MBA programs and professor of operations, business analytics, and information systems. “He is an individual who has lived through experiences that many of us pray we will never face. We are glad that the Lindner MBA will strengthen his entrepreneurial skills, provide a path to greater success, and help him to continue to ‘do business for the greater good.’"
Niazi is excited to gain new perspectives, learning from his fellow students and faculty members.
“I'm slowly recovering from the trauma of war, of displacement, living far away from my family. Every day was bad news. So, now, here is peaceful for me,” reflected Niazi. “I have learned a lot, especially seeing the world from a different perspective, helping me to have more knowledge, and also from the people. It's a very different place for me, a very good culture. People are very kind.”
As for what comes next in Niazi’s story, it’s fair to say he will not be slowing down. He hopes to write a book detailing his journey and imparting lessons to others on overcoming adversity. Niazi also plans to advance his education, pursuing a PhD in entrepreneurship and leadership as he continues to support young students through his school.
Featured image: Niazi sits on the atrium stairs inside of Lindner Hall. Photo provided.
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