UNSW Law student awarded Student Leader of the Year

UNSW Law is proud to congratulate Arts/Law student and 2017 Law Society Co-President Khushaal Vyas, who has taken home the Student Leader of the Year award at Australian Leadership Excellence awards held on 5 October 2017.

Shortlisted from a pool of 22 students nationwide, Khushaal underwent a rigorous selection process that involved two rounds of interviews and a written submission before taking home the national award.

To be eligible for the award, the student was required to have displayed service to their University, educational institution, or community outside of their fulltime coursework. The student was also required to provide evidence of their leadership activities undertaken and the impact it had provided, to identify their approach to leadership and evidence of their contribution to the institution and/or student community.

A judging panel of leading industry professionals made the following comments about Khushaal’s leadership skills:

“Khushaal Vyas demonstrated an impressive level of leadership maturity across his numerous endeavours. From leading one of the largest law student organisations in Australia to his work with indigenous communities in regional NSW, Khushaal demonstrated the skills of a transformational leader.

Khushaal displayed a strong strategic vision balanced with a healthy level of pragmatism essential for success as a leader. Khushaal demonstrated both along with the ability to quickly develop clarity, make difficult decisions and handle complex situations calmly.

A sincere, collaborative leader, Khushaal builds the confidence and profile of those he leads through mentoring and nurturing. A strong leader today, Khushaal has bright leadership career ahead of him”.

Earlier this year Vyas also took home the 2017 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Community Youth Medal, which recognised the valuable role of a young person in promoting intercultural dialogue and co-operation.

In 2015 Khushaal was one of 10 UNSW Law students who travelled to central west NSW to learn more about the Wiradjuri Aboriginal community and subsequently made a documentary about their trip.

Since then, he has made regular visits to Dubbo with other law students during semester breaks, speaking to high school students about possible careers in law and engaging with law enforcement agencies, solicitors, Aboriginal elders, community groups and service providers on issues that affect the region. 

Congratulations to Khushaal!