Global Public Health Nutrition MSc alumna Zahistha Gafoor shortlisted for Student of the Year award by Find a University

Find a University is a platform dedicated to helping postgraduate students find their ideal postgraduate degree, as well as assisting them in finding graduate jobs at the end of their period of study.  Their annual Postgrad Awards ceremony celebrates the achievements of postgraduate students, teachers, supervisors and projects, and campaigns crafted by these individuals. In each of their five categories of awards, there are between five to seven nominees all coming from various universities and research centres. This year, among four other nominees, Zahistha represented Westminster in the Master’s Student of the Year category.

Zahistha Gafoor is a Registered Associate Nutritionist at the Association for Nutrition, Member of the Royal Society for Public Health and Certified Diabetes Educator (IDF), currently working as a Diabetes Prevention Practitioner at Thrive Tribe and volunteering with Food Foundation as Food Ambassador. Originally hailing from Tamil Nadu, India, she moved abroad to pursue her further education and completed her Master’s in Global Public Health Nutrition (GPHN) at the University of Westminster at 20 years old.

She began her academic journey at Westminster by becoming a course representative for her course. During her time at the University, she also engaged in various hobbies like joining the Art Society as an Events Manager, which led to successes such as winning the Best Emerging Society of the Year Award at the University of Westminster Students’ Union Awards ceremony in 2023. One leading to another, Zahistha became more active with the Student’s Union, actively engaging with the sabbatical officers for their period poverty campaigns, cost of living crisis campaigns, suggestions for dedicated post-graduate spaces across campuses, and launching free breakfast and meal deals across the campus. During this journey, she also volunteered with School Food Matters with their healthy zones project. She assisted the project officers with their breakfast and afternoon school clubs across Southwark and Lambeth and helped the policy officer with providing suggestions for frameworks or campaigning for food policy programs.

Zahistha has spoken at numerous events such as the Community Conversation Series that took place on the second day of the World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2024 hosted by the University, where she discussed lived experience of food insecurity amongst UK international students. She is currently discussing with her local council and politicians the subject of reducing the minimum salary requirement for the skilled worker visa. All her experiences both on and off campus have led to her being selected in the top five nominees for the Master's Student of the Year Award at Find a University’s Postgrad Awards 2024.

Zahistha said: "I am beyond grateful to even be nominated and make it to the top 5 shortlists and to represent our University! That feeling of seeing your hard work be recognised cannot truly be expressed just with words. Wishing good luck for other nominees!"

Zahistha’s work and achievements have directly contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1: No Poverty, 2: Zero Hunger and 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Read more about Zahistha Gafoor’s story.  

Find out about the Global Public Health Nutrition MSc course at the University of Westminster.