Dunedin Pakistan Society Otago member Sheraz Hanif is helping local disability support group Friend-Link move with the times by updating its website.
Mr Hanif said his current role is working as a permanent reliever support worker for clients with intellectual disabilities.
Before he came to Dunedin in 2019, however, he had been a lecturer in information technology at Jazan University in Saudi Arabia.
Knowing that IT services could be very expensive, he decided to "raise his hand" and offer to use his skills for free to help the organisation.
He will use his expertise to create a refreshed, updatable website for the local disability support group.
Friend-Link’s current website, developed by a student years ago, is static and outdated.
"They wanted a dynamic one where they can place news, or events, or a gallery."
Mr Hanif is creating a mock-up of the website at present, consulting with Friend-Link to ensure the redesigned website meets their requirements before relaunching it.
Mr Hanif’s help for the group will not end with the website’s launch.
He plans to create a detailed guide and train staff members on how to maintain and update the site.
"I will still help them whenever they need something, or if they get stuck somewhere," he said.
Besides developing the website, Mr Hanif will help Friend-Link with their social media presence and design promotional materials such as flyers, posters, and banners.
Mr Hanif moved to Dunedin in 2019 with his wife and both planned to study at the University of Otago.
His wife is studying at present and Mr Hanif aims to begin his study next year, beginning with a postgraduate diploma in IT and moving on to a master’s degree.
This is not the first time Mr Hanif has put his experience to good use for community organisations.
In 2021 he helped the Otago Muslim Association by designing an Android app for the group.
"I just like to offer my services that I have some skills in."
