While at college and University, for nearly ten years, Waqar Abbasi worked with the BBC (radio and television) as well as volunteered at a radio station in Canada and worked with Granada TV in UK. Within the media industry he worked as a researcher, presenter and reporter. During his media career with BBC Waqar worked in various regions of England; mainly on ethnic minority programming.
In 1998 Waqar moved to civil service and non governmental voluntary sectors; Waqar has been involved with these sectors ever since, both in voluntary and paid capacity. Waqar has worked with number of organisations, local and regional governments and charities in various capacities. Currently Waqar is working as a NW Regional Adviser (partners) with Age UK.
Other Positions and Voluntary work:
Non Exec Director, Friends of the Earth Ltd, www.foe.org.uk (2005-2008);
Alumnus of the Windsor Leadership Trust and an associate of St Georges House, Windsor castle;
BBC, CIN, Regional Advisory Committee member. (2006-2009);
Governor, Salford College - member of HR committee. (2005-2009);
Chair, EHF (Ethnic Health Forum). www.ethnichealth.org.uk (2007-2010);
Member 50/50 vision, NWDA funded Northwest elderly voice. (2008-Current);
1 Northwest (Government Office), regional committee member. (2007-2009);
During his school an college days Waqar was also a semi professional footballer/Coach, an equal opportunities officer for student union at the university and a scout leader;
In 1998 Waqar was selected by government of Pakistan, ministry of education, as a best overall male student from the city of Islamabad to take part in an international youth programme in Canada, CWY.
As a volunteer, Waqar is also involved with many other mainstream local, national and International charities in various capacities.
Waqar completed his college education from Swindon College in Wilshire, UK. In 1997 he graduated with BA (Hon’s) in Television and media studies from Salford University, in UK. He completed his post graduation, MBA in voluntary sector capacity building, from London in 2005.
