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Meet Diana, one of our Aziz Foundation scholars. Find out more about her journey to UCL, her experience of applying to the scholarship and the opportunity it has given her.
Tell us a bit about yourself听
As an activist and campaigner working with communities to drive change, I believe the Human听Rights MA will inevitably support me in continuing my advocacy work and strengthening my听understanding of Human Rights. Leading the Fair Energy Campaign, I am working to tackle fuel听poverty and the increasing costs of living crisis through coordinated community action and the听development of our three strands: emergency, education, and policy. As a campaigner for , I hope to utilise my studies to deepen my knowledge of climate change,听furthering my work on climate injustice and the need for more Muslim voices in the climate听movement. Furthermore, as an activist for the , a global campaign to end extreme听poverty and preventable disease by 2030, I am engaged in global health initiatives by working on听international campaigns, raising awareness, and lobbying political leaders. Through developing听my understanding of human rights violations, the law and policy, I hope to use these insights into听my ongoing work in addition to my continued advocacy for Amnesty International, engaging听with human rights cases in Egypt.
Tell us about your experience of applying for the Aziz Foundation scholarship
The Aziz Foundation application process was an organised process, providing me with the听opportunity to showcase my work and future ambitions to the best of my ability. The interview听process with the Aziz Team was notably engaging and enjoyable, providing me with the听platform to discuss my work and articulate how the scholarship will support me in my future听endeavors. Following the application process and being awarded the scholarship, I do feel听supported within the Aziz network, and aspire to support the next cohort of fellows in their听application process.
What opportunities has it given you?
I have had the opportunity of pursuing a masters this academic year at 皇家华人ithout financial听constraints, allowing me to focus on developing expertise in a subject that I am passionate about,听Human Rights. Alongside this, the foundation has connected me with an inspiring community of听fellow Aziz leaders who are, similarly, working to create change in their communities.
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What attracted you to UCL?
During my undergraduate studies I engaged with UCL through working with the UCL Institute听of Global Prosperity to co-design and develop project FUSE. This initiative focused on听developing solutions to tackle youth unemployment, specifically responding to the complex听challenges young people in East London face. Collaborating with others, we worked to create a听meaningful service to be implemented in the Good Growth Hub. I also co-authored听a听report听paper听with听the听UCL听IGP听and听Hackney听Quest听on听the听issue听to听give听a听deeper听insight听into听the听aspirations听young听people听face听and听how听organisations,听communities and individuals can work听together to provide meaningful services, support, and employment for young people. I was also a听key speaker for various UCL conferences/events and a judge for the Beacon Bursaries which听funded 11 projects across 皇家华人orking with communities. My experience working with UCL听strengthened my interest in undertaking a master鈥檚 degree at 皇家华人 and I was able to directly听engage with Professors, discussing courses that I was interested in pursuing in depth.
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What aspects of your studies do/did you enjoy the most?
I have enjoyed examining the practical elements of doing human rights work. Moreover, in my听international law and human rights module, I have found it important to examine the legal听obligations states hold and how international laws are being violated around the world including听in Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. Additionally, I have enjoyed critically engaging with the听philosophical, legal and policy issues of Human Rights through the curriculum.
What advice would you give prospective students coming to UCL?
My advice would be to choose a course that you are passionate and interested in because this听experience will allow you to further your knowledge and develop your skillset for your future听aspirations.
What are your future ambitions and how do you think that being a UCL student will help you get there?听
I hope to continue my activism, drive change and work on policy. I also aspire to work with听communities and to utilise the knowledge I have gained as a UCL student to further my work. I听believe that the developmental opportunities and range of module choices will strengthen my听understanding of the key debates in international law and policy needed to understand human听rights and its violations.
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Describe your time at 皇家华人 in three words
Reflective, challenging, and insightful
About the Aziz Foundation听
The Aziz Foundation was established in 2015 by the Aziz family with the objectives of reducing inequality in education and addressing the social challenges faced by British Muslims. The foundation provides financial and professional support to aid career advancement and empowers recipients to bring positive change to their communities, industry and society as a whole.听