Ashak Nathwani (AM) who came to Australia with just 20 cents in his pocket has been awarded the Member of Order of Australia for his service to Ismaili community. After being refused a visa based on his Mechanical Engineering qualification , he has successfully carved out a career here as an Engineer and then as an academic in the field of Sustainable Design and Engineering. He contributed to the establishment and launch of a new post graduate degree at University of Sydney and has been instrumental in establishing the first comfort analysis laboratory in Australia. Ashak Nathwani talks to Nital Desai about the Ismaili community in Australia and how did he come to Australia even after being refused a visa based on his qualifications.

Ashak Nathwani (AM) who came to Australia with just 20 cents in his pocket has been awarded the Member of Order of Australia for his service to Ismaili community. After being refused a visa based on his Mechanical Engineering qualification , he has successfully carved out a career here as an Engineer and then as an academic in the field of Sustainable Design and Engineering. He contributed to the establishment and launch of a new post graduate degree at University of Sydney and has been instrumental in establishing the first comfort analysis laboratory in Australia. Ashak Nathwani talks to Nital Desai about the Ismaili community in Australia and how did he come to Australia even after being refused a visa based on his qualifications.