Northampton graduate wins national Student Leadership Award

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to representation and leadership, a University of Northampton (UON) student has been named as the Student Leader of the Year.

Muhammed Hafiz, known to friends and colleagues as Hafiz, picked up his award during UK Council for International Student Affairs (UK CISA) Awards Ceremony in London last month.

UK CISA is an independent, UK-based charity and membership organisation which is committed to making sure international students have the best possible experience of UK higher education.

There were 420 nominations for the #WeAreInternational Awards and from the 63 finalists who were shortlisted, only 13 winners were chosen including Hafiz.

Reflecting on the award, Hafiz said: “I never imagined I’d win; it’s one of the proudest moments of my life. This recognition isn’t just for me—it’s for the incredible collaboration that made these achievements possible.”

Hafiz arrived in Northampton from India in September 2023 to study for a Master’s in Business Analytics. What began as a one-year academic programme soon became a transformative journey of leadership.

Within months, Hafiz was elected Vice President for Education in the Students’ Union (SU), a role he has held for two consecutive terms.

Representing the educational needs of more than 10,000 students, Hafiz has become a bridge between the student body and senior university leadership and sits on key committees, including the Board of Governors and Senate, and leads a network of over 500 student course representatives.

Among Hafiz’s proudest achievements is introducing accessibility printing options and coloured overlays for students with dyslexia and visual impairment—making the UON one of the few institutions to offer this service free of charge.

He said: “Accessibility should never be an afterthought, when students told us about the challenges they faced, we acted quickly. Within three months, the solution was in place.”

Hafiz also launched regular social events for course representatives, creating opportunities for networking and feedback. These gatherings have strengthened engagement and ensured that student leaders feel supported and connected.

Hafiz credits his success to the strong partnership between the Students’ Union and the University and said: “We’re critical friends. We challenge when needed, but the relationship is built on trust and shared commitment to improving student experience. University leaders are open to listening, and that makes all the difference.”

UON Vice Chancelor and Chief Executive, Professor Anne-Marie Kilday said: “Hafiz is a delight to work with, his leadership style is collaborative and pragmatic, focusing on building strong relationships and delivering practical solutions for the students he represents.

“This award is very well deserved, and we are proud to have Hafiz in the UON family.”