GCU Students’ Association STAR Awards: Student of the Year presented to Afia Kazmi

GCU recently celebrated the GCU Students Association’s STAR Awards; an annual event which celebrates the hard work and dedication of GCU students throughout the year.

MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering student Afia Kazmi was presented with the Student of the Year Award for her extensive involvement in extracurricular activities and dedication towards GCU’s Common Good:

How did it feel to be nominated for Student of the Year?

“When I found out I was nominated, it was during Eid and I was just about to go into the mosque. Right after I came out, I ran out to tell my dad and then the rest of my family, who were so excited and proud of me. My uncle was especially happy for me , because he also did an engineering degree so he understands how important extra-curricular activities are for people studying this discipline.”

How did it feel to have been selected as Student of the Year?

“I was absolutely speechless! I’m not sure if previous winners of the award have appreciated how exciting the award is, but I come from an ethnic background and my family are from Islamabad in Pakistan where an award like Student of the Year is almost regarded as more important than getting a degree!

Many people are able to get a university degree, but the Student of the Year award indicates that the student has performed outstandingly so to have received that award means so much to me. When the award was announced, it actually took me a while to stand up because I was so shocked! I even said at the time that I’m not usually an emotional person, but I wanted to cry.

When I went up to receive the award, I quoted a line from my favourite movie ‘Om Shanti Om’ which I recited in Hindi. The line comes from a scene where the character makes a speech, which translates to “If you want something so badly, the universe will make it happen”. At the end I finished it with the famous line “I feel like the king of the world!” which everyone really enjoyed. I always knew that when I first saw the film that I would quote the speech if I received Student of the Year, so I’m so happy that I got the chance.

The award ceremony was being live streamed so I made sure to let my parents know so they could watch it live. They were able to see me win the award which was amazing, apparently everyone went crazy in the house! My mum is usually quite strict and serious, but even she couldn’t hide her excitement.”

Now that you’re at the end of your studies, has this been a good way to bookend your time at GCU?

“Winning Student of the Year has really been a full circle moment for me.  I come from a low Higher Education progression-rate secondary school, where not many pupils even make it to University. To go from that point, where I have since went on to do so many other activities and awards throughout my time at GCU, has been a perfect way to end my time here.

It’s scary having to think about life after university, it’s a huge step to find a graduate career. I have always wanted to get to that point, but now that it’s here it doesn’t feel real!

I wanted to win the award to show parents, especially from ethnic backgrounds, that daughters completing extra-curricular activities are just as important as gaining your degree.

To them, your academic record is the most important but extra-curricular activities are so beneficial and important for employability. Student of the Year indicates that the student has been able to balance study with extra-curricular activities to a high standard. My mum has always been supportive of me, and she reinforced the idea to my dad that many students go to university to complete their degree, but only one student a year can win Student of the Year.

I of course want to thank my parents, especially my mum for always pushing me and encouraging me to do better. I’d also like to thank my sister, because although she is eight years younger than me, she encourages me to be myself – she brings out my inner child. Finally, my best friend Rawan, who is the only person who fully understands me inside and out.”

You can read the full list of the STAR Awards 2024 winners on the GCU Students’ Association website

By Rachael McAlonan

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media